Champion Court

I think he has quite Ibrahima. Sure he quit at the end of last yr?

Not sure why Warren isnt riding tomorrow.

Backed this one today, exciting prospect. Hope the Champ gets him home

Poor ride, strangled it for the first half of the race then asked it to race into the straight. I know horses are fresh and need to settle but he would had learnt far more if he was allowed to race at the pace he wanted to go.

Agree totally. What positives has the horse had from that experience? McCoy is clueless at times champ jockey or not.

Difference between Ruby and AP there some would say

I was expecting to be shot down for my earlier comment.

Personally they might as race it handy in next couple of races, never really understood that good horses need to be restrained.

I would put good money that he would settle so much better if he was allowed to race...

Champion Court wanted to get on and get a lead, why didn't AP let him? Easier to jump if no competition and he would have easily stayed the distance

Now thats a better ride.

Disappointed with Bear's Affair, was really excited about him. Not sure he wanted the step to 2m4f, maybe another chance back at 2m is on the cards.

he settled a lot better today.

I'll be very surprised if Saint Are doesn't turn out to be better than CC, esp over 3 miles.

it was a good run from him too....2 out it looked he was coming back on the bridle again...just needed it though in the end i suppose.

Still loving this horse, and my 149/1 bet is looking promising imo.

149/1 is a good price, is that the RSA Ibrahima?

I think 3m stretches his stamina and would be leaning towards the Jewson.

Other concern is that he probably wouldn't be as happy in a typical Festival race where there's a lot of hustle and bustle, and fighting for the lead. He certainly wouldn't have it his own way up front.

But he is very smart, and i like him. Small stable as well, probably means he's always going to a little bit oveprriced.

He's very game isn't he. Apparently he lost a shoe in his previous race (won by Join Together) which they believe explains why he didn't get home.

I can't quite see him winning a race at the Festival, but I'll be looking at him for some of the Mackeson/Massey Ferguson type handicaps next season.

Still massively overpriced

Also a massive fan of this horse. Am on at 33/1 ew for the RSA from a cpl of mths back and am very disappointed to hear the stable suggestion of the Jewson. Imo this horse is an out and out stayer and would be taken off his feet in the Jewson as well as being harried for the lead. The RSA has very little strength in depth and I can easily see him running into a place. Am not hopeful now of getting a run for my money but you never know

Looks the value option for the jewson.The experience he has gained this season at Cheltenham can only stand him in good stead and looking at the form of those races he is arguably entitled to be favorite for the jewson. The display of Invictus today served notice of the ability Champion Court possesses and he can only shorten between now and March 15th

Magic - do you think there's a chance he might go for the RSA? I have the sense that might be the trainers preference deep down and the form of the RSA principals is hardly bombproof.

There is always a chance and reading comments made by his trainer after his early season Aintree win it would be a possibility,that said his wins have been at 2m4f/2m5f and the only time he did run at 3m he put up his worst performance in terms of the level of form hes recorded in all of his runs over fences.
If he were my horse i would go down the Jewson route without a doubt

I heard in that 3 m race he lost a shoe and got quite sore/lame so they aren't certain he doesn't stay 3 m. But I basically agree with you, and as I said above (on Jan 1st) he's one I'll be looking at for the big 2 1/2m handicaps at Cheltenham next winter.

In time i think there is a real chance that 3 miles may be his trip Stront.The trouble is he's shown such a good level of form at the Jewson distance that it would take a really brave decision to go to the RSA with his stamina yet to proven with a win at beyond 2m5f over fences.If he were to go to the jewson and if things were not to work out and his current handicap mark of 150 were not to go up then he would be a leading contender for the races you have pinpointed next season

That seems right to me Magic. Will you tell the trainer or shall I?

Much better chance in Jewson imo,surely wont go handicap route off 150 yet?

If Grands Crus runs in the RSA he will go for the Jewson and if Grands Crus goes for Gold Cup it could well be the RSA.

Scratching made for 22
The remainder pay scratching deadline fee

Aikman (IRE) (Mr J. D. Gordon) James Ewart .............................................................. 8 11 4
Al Ferof (FR) (Mr J. Hales) Paul Nicholls....................................................................... 7 11 4
Blackstairmountain (IRE) (Mrs S. Ricci) W. P. Mullins, Ireland.............................. 7 11 4
Bog Warrior (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) A. J. Martin, Ireland ..................... 8 11 4
Bold Sir Brian (IRE) (Mr A. R. Trotter) Lucinda Russell ........................................... 6 11 4
Call The Police (IRE) (DD Racing Syndicate) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ..................... 9 11 4
Carribs Leap (IRE) (Equis) Charles Egerton .................................................................. 7 11 4
Champion Court (IRE) (Mr M. Boothright) Martin Keighley.................................. 7 11 4
Charminster (IRE) (Mr T. G. Leslie) Donald McCain................................................. 6 11 4
Cristal Bonus (FR) (Mr R. J. H. Geffen) Paul Nicholls ............................................... 6 11 4
Daffern Seal (IRE) (Dr R. Lambe) D. K. Weld, Ireland............................................. 8 11 4
Duke of Lucca (IRE) (Mrs Lesley Field) Philip Hobbs................................................ 7 11 4
First Lieutenant (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) M. F. Morris, Ireland ............ 7 11 4
For Non Stop (IRE) (Mr Jared Sullivan) Nick Williams.............................................. 7 11 4
Gift of Dgab (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) A. J. Martin, Ireland ..................... 8 11 4
Harpsy Cord (IRE) (Alan & Ann Potts Partnership) J. T. R. Dreaper, Ireland .. 6 11 4
Imperial Shabra (IRE) (Miss Rita Shah) Patrick O. Brady, Ireland........................ 8 11 4
Invictus (IRE) (Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin Hughes) Alan King.............................................. 6 11 4
Lambro (IRE) (Byerley Thoroughbred Racing) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ................... 7 11 4
Lancetto (FR) (Mr R. J. Gambarini) Evan Williams....................................................... 7 11 4
Micheal Flips (IRE) (Mr M. Tedham) Andy Turnell ...................................................... 8 11 4
Minella Class (IRE) (Deal George Kelvin-Hughes Nicolson) Nicky Henderson 7 11 4
Notus de La Tour (FR) (D Bradshaw,J Dale,P Deal,J Smee,W Walsh)
David Pipe ............................................................................... 6 11 4
Peddlers Cross (IRE) (Mr T. G. Leslie) Donald McCain ........................................... 7 11 4
Red Tanber (IRE) (Mr Hugh T. Redhead) Bruce Mactaggart................................... 9 11 4
Saint Are (FR) (Mr D. W. Fox) Tim Vaughan ................................................................ 6 11 4
Schindler’s Gold (IRE) (Dr R. D. P. And Mrs L. J. Newland)
Dr Richard Newland ............................................................................... 10 11 4
Silviniaco Conti (FR) (Potensis Limited & Mr Chris Giles) Paul Nicholls........... 6 11 4
Sir des Champs (FR) (Gigginstown House Stud) W. P. Mullins, Ireland.............. 6 11 4
Solix (FR) (Mr Michael Buckley) Nicky Henderson...................................................... 6 11 4
Trenchant (Mr Peter Harding & Mr Stephen Williams) Bob Buckler.................... 7 11 4
Zaynar (FR) (Men In Our Position) Nick Williams ....................................................... 7 11 4
Kumbeshwar (McNeill Family & Mr Nigel Bunter) Alan King ................................. 5 11 3
Alasi (Mr Shully Liebermann) Paul Webber ...................................................................... 8 10 11