fair enough,no bet for me so i hope you win

will be backing TFR after the first fence most likely

Charlie Hall 10 Year Trends

• 9/10 - Returned 6/1 or less in the betting

• 9/10 - Aged between 8-10 years-old

• 8/10 - Won the race on their seasonal reappearance

• 7/10 - Had a RPR of 160 or higher

• 7/10 - Placed in their previous race

• 5/10 - Won by an 8 year-old

• 2/10 - Won by the favourite

• 2/10 - Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, also won it 1994 (Young Hustler), 1992 (Tipping Tim)

• 2/10 - Trained by Evan Williams

• 2/10 - Ridden by Graham Lee

• 2/10 - Ridden by Paul Moloney

^^^^ agree

Diamond Harry, he´s for my money the class act in the race and Williams said "I don't think he'll improve too much for the run as he's normally very good first time out" he´s unbeaten fto and while 5/2 ain´t the best odds it´s just enough to make a bet worthwhile.

I think his Hennessy form is very strong given Denmans subsequent Gold Cup run, plus Burton Ports form with Long Run from last years RSA. Also he´s best fresh and I like him, think he´s a good un so would like to be onside.

im with time for rupert tommorrow, as impressive as dh was in hennessy,  denman wsas giving it 2 stone, off levels there would off been no race, tfr had valid excuses last time, in the long term cant see dh winning gold cup, got beaten a mile as a novice and pulled up in rsa, i just think dh is a bit from been top class, althought a great horse, we'll find out more 2morrow but i expect there will be alot of disspointed people, gl all

CVB - nice to see you back pal. GL this winter.

Diamond Harry a non runner - lame. Hope this is only a short-lived problem

Good performance by Weird Al in the race today, he wasn't on my radar to be honest.  Still wouldn't fancy him in the Gold Cup, but he saw out the 3 miles really well, which opens up a few options for him.

I thought it was an adequate run from Time for Rupert, with the front two pulling miles clear of the rest.  Hopefully he'll come on for the run, and only having his fourth run over fences, and first out of novice company.

Will have to step up massively though if he is to pose a threat in the Gold Cup though, although thats a long way away yet.  Maybe he might come to Cheltenham for the Argento, which was the plan last year?

It's clear Poquelin didn't stay, and Nacarat is probably past his best and the Bowl at Aintree will be his Gold Cup.

I hope Diamond Harry makes it to Haydock, hopefully he will be fine in a month.  He'd have to be the main danger to Long Run in that.

I'll also be there Resner; ealry bird tickets of £11 each is too tempting to turn down.

I'm mainly going to see Kauto - will probably go to all of his races this year wherever they are - hopefully he'll run with pride and gets home safe.

Diamond Harry, in my opinion, put in his career best performance there over the fixed brush hurdles, better than his Hennesy performance imo.  I think he'll go off second fav in the Betfair Chase if he was to turn up

I'll be there too, I fear it could be Kauto's last race tbh

If Diamond Harry turns up, i'll definitely be backing him

I think DH would add some real spice to Haydock because he likes the place and I think Long Run will need the run. I think Long Run may also ultimately need a stiifer test to be seen at his best. Yes, I know he won at Kempton twice, and Warwick once, but the 2nd time at Kempton he did so by staying and in the Gold Cup he stayed very well. He'll probably win on the bit now I have said that.

Denman, Nick WIlliams seems to even think DH may not be a gold cup horse, because of his dislike of the track. I think all most DH fans are saying (including me) is that the horse has a terrific engine, is very, very good, but probably just better on a flatter track and in the autumn. I adore the horse but think he is fragile and needs certain conditions to win. I do not think there is anything controversial saying that a fresh DH at Haydock, a course he loves, against a Long Run who will undoubtedly improve for the run will be an interesting race.

I'm of the opinion Diamond Harry is very over rated; I don't believe he's capable of winning a Grade One over fences. Yes his Hennessey win was visually impressive, but if you take Burton Port, Weird Al and Denman out of that race, he basically beat a bunch of solid handicappers off level weights. Burton Port is a solid stayer and in my opinion needs a marathon trip, Weird Al despite yesterday's win has it all to prove still at the very top level, and while Denman is a class act he was giving Diamond Harry nearly two stone at Newbury! His run in the RSA of 2010 was pretty woeful, and I can't quite see where all this confidence in him comes from...? Some nice performances over hurdles, but two small field wins as a Novice and victory in a ludicrously false handicap? Doesn't scream Grade One winner to me...

'if you take Burton Port, Weird Al and Denman out of that race'

I'd imagine if you took three of the best horses out of any race the field wouldn't look so hot.
I take on board your general point though. Connections ended up making a bit of a horlicks of DHs campaign last season. They appear to have learned the lesson however with talk of a more aggressive campaign this time around. 8/1 for the Betfair is the value imho.