Cheltenham Festival
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DIAMOND HARRY, one of the young pretenders fancied to upset the older guard of Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander in the Totesport Gold Cup, is not pleasing trainer Nick Williams, he reported on Wednesday.
The eight-year-old had Denman back in third when winning the Hennessy Gold Cup from out of the handicap at Newbury in November and is 8-1 with the sponsor for the Gold Cup. He was mentioned by Denman and Kauto Star's trainer Paul Nicholls on Monday as a danger as he held his pre-Cheltenham media event.
Having been pulled up when 5-1 for the RSA Chase at last season's festival, Williams fears Diamond Harry could be at his best later in the year.
"I'm not as happy with him as I was going into the Hennessy and he is possibly an autumn horse," Williams said.
"When you look back at his form he has always been at his best in November and December and then once we get into the new year, for whatever reason, he seems to be not quite as good."
The trainer, whose charge is owned by Paul Duffy, also told Racing UK: "Diamond Harry is just not showing the same sparkle as he does in the autumn."
However, Williams was keen to add that "there is no danger of him not running in the Gold Cup".
The eight-year-old had Denman back in third when winning the Hennessy Gold Cup from out of the handicap at Newbury in November and is 8-1 with the sponsor for the Gold Cup. He was mentioned by Denman and Kauto Star's trainer Paul Nicholls on Monday as a danger as he held his pre-Cheltenham media event.
Having been pulled up when 5-1 for the RSA Chase at last season's festival, Williams fears Diamond Harry could be at his best later in the year.
"I'm not as happy with him as I was going into the Hennessy and he is possibly an autumn horse," Williams said.
"When you look back at his form he has always been at his best in November and December and then once we get into the new year, for whatever reason, he seems to be not quite as good."
The trainer, whose charge is owned by Paul Duffy, also told Racing UK: "Diamond Harry is just not showing the same sparkle as he does in the autumn."
However, Williams was keen to add that "there is no danger of him not running in the Gold Cup".
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I'm coming round to Long Run almost by default. As someone said elsewhere if Geraghty was on him he be fav.
Cant have Kauto and Denman, Commander and Harry in doldrums, ignore the rest.
Cant have Kauto and Denman, Commander and Harry in doldrums, ignore the rest.
Good of the trainer to be so candid. Never really seen DH as a Cheltenham horse. Struggled to beat Bensalem in a novice hurdle, poor 3rd in the Neptune and PU in the RSA - form way behind his efforts in winning the Challow and the Henessey.
Interviewed at the weekend said his were in poor form.
Of course. Mordin has the theory that some horses are just not 'winter' horses. They are at their best in the autumn and in the spring, once the days lengthen and it warms up a bit. Hell, I know what he means after this god awful winter.
Not sure about Mordin's theory, but I do think generally that the timing of the spring weather can make quite a difference in relation to which horses run well at the Festival. We are probably in for a delayed spring this time. That doesn't help in terms of getting yards clear of winter viruses, nor is it helpful in terms of horses who find breathing problems exacerbated by the damper weather.
Not sure about Mordin's theory, but I do think generally that the timing of the spring weather can make quite a difference in relation to which horses run well at the Festival. We are probably in for a delayed spring this time. That doesn't help in terms of getting yards clear of winter viruses, nor is it helpful in terms of horses who find breathing problems exacerbated by the damper weather.
Id love to see Denman win but cant see how he will. Will there be a match bet Denman v Kauto? Kauto wont get round imo, Ruby will pull him up.
harry wouldnt have placed anyway.
its between the old foes again this year. IC will be hard to beat.
its between the old foes again this year. IC will be hard to beat.
IC worked like an absolute dog the other day, I can't see how he'll be anywhere near at his peak in 20 days time. They're taking him for another racecourse gallop on Saturday and after that Long Run will be fav, and will probably be usurped by Denman on the day when Nicholls give his usual bullish nonsense.
Its all falling into Tidal Bays lap
, just a bit of rain on wednesday and Thursday
, just a bit of rain on wednesday and Thursday
nick is a nice guy but i have to say its pure greed looking for a bigger price.10s is quite fair nick
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