Cheltenham Festival
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The young fella deserves a thread to himself...update with thoughts as we progress through the season please.
Regulars of this forum may remember I was a big fan of the horse over hurdles last year (I did my brains on him to win the Supreme Novices), and following his debut over fences at Chepstow I have to admit I'm already as big a fan of his as a chaser! Given that was his first spin over the larger obstacles, I thought he was superb. Yes he was untidy at a couple, but he was pulling double all the way round and still had enough in the tank come the end of the race to power away from a small but, on paper at least, above average field, which included Silviano Conti - a horse described by Paul Nicholls on a number of occasions as 'exciting', with Ruby Walsh on board.
It's far too early to say he'll emerge as a leading contender for Novice success at the Festival come March, BUT...on what we've seen, in my opinion at least, he sets a hell of a high standard for the other novice chasers to match.
Regulars of this forum may remember I was a big fan of the horse over hurdles last year (I did my brains on him to win the Supreme Novices), and following his debut over fences at Chepstow I have to admit I'm already as big a fan of his as a chaser! Given that was his first spin over the larger obstacles, I thought he was superb. Yes he was untidy at a couple, but he was pulling double all the way round and still had enough in the tank come the end of the race to power away from a small but, on paper at least, above average field, which included Silviano Conti - a horse described by Paul Nicholls on a number of occasions as 'exciting', with Ruby Walsh on board.
It's far too early to say he'll emerge as a leading contender for Novice success at the Festival come March, BUT...on what we've seen, in my opinion at least, he sets a hell of a high standard for the other novice chasers to match.
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Will see how good Chepstow performance was when Micheal Flips runs at Ascot on Saturday.....wouldnt do your brains just yet.
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Very true. Should be a fair test with Sam Winner expected to take part in the same race.
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He already has his own thread which i will pull up- i also like him.
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Entered for last race at Cheltenham on Friday....anyone know likelihood of it running?
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Form boosted big time by Silviniaco Conti's facile victory and by Michael Flips winning at Ascot.
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Silviniaco Conti CLEARLY need the run at Chepstow, but Cue Card would of beaten him match fit anyway in my opinion...
Let's just hope Tizzard don't do what he did last year; run him three times before Christmas then put him away until the Festival! Still to early to say, but I remain convinced he's out the very top drawer and will go on to become a great! :) |
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I'm a big fan, he was my biggest single bet of last years festival (my long run/baby run double still gives me nightmares....). It was a hot supremes and in hindsight I doubt he could've won as he probably wants further, but I thought that with a better ride he would've been much closer.
I expect him to take a lot of beating this season, notwithstanding how many top prospects are novice chasing. |
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I might be a bit biased, but I can't believe he's not got more praise for his Chepstow win...if Peddlers Cross is as impressive tomorrow everyone will be raving!
Cue Card was always likely to make a better chaser than a hurdler because he flew every hurdle he jumped! It was a hot Supreme last year, and I agree he wasn't given a great ride...not sure he was given the ideal prep either! Think the pressure of having such a red hot favourite for the race got to Tizzard; he wrapped him up too tight!! Bad times on that double pal...young Willie not the toast of your house that night I imagine!!? |
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You could say that
 It's not as if the horse went down, he just fell off. I couldn't believe my eyes, I already had the cash spent......... |
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Arkle horse or need further?
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I'd say Arkle, where a 2 1/2 mile horse can have an advantage where staying is a good quality to have.
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Time will tell I guess...
If he continues to pull double in his races then he'll go for the Arkle; if he learns to settle into an early stride I think he'll stay the RSA. |
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Think he will end up in the 2 and half m novice.
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Looking at the entry tomorrow I think they might be leaning towards the RSA; I know its a long while off but this years could be the best ever
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2 and half m tomorrow Bluebird
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Cant believe Grand Crus is fav tomorrow!
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I'm thinking the same.
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Yes Cue Card looks a good bet tomorrow. Too much speed for Grands Crus.
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cc fav on here-just!
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Looks a cracking race tomorrow - Dualla Lord (won 4 points) and Champion Court no slouches either.
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^ It really is a cracker isn't it?
My head is exploding - Cue Card, Grand Crus and Champion Court are all horses I love. It's a very interesting race from a punting perspective, too. With the benefit of a run, and his speed, you'd think Cue Card should be favourite, but GC is an absolute monster. Let's not forget how he tanks through all his races. He is not short on speed, at all, and if he is fit and ready to rock first time I would not be at all surprised to see him prove too good. It's a real dilemma because Pipe's horses are usually fitter than others first up, but I'm sure connections will be leaving something to work on with this machine and doubt very much they would be disappointed with a solid run behind a very good horse on his fencing debut at Cheltenham. What to do?! |
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well personally i wont be betting,just watching with interest,not a betting race for me.
As for you,back the one you think will win,if yer aint sure,dont bet,the prices aint gonna be that good on the top 2.Champion Court is a working mans price,but he has 2 pretty good animals to beat. |
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i can't believe grand crus isnt hot fav joint fav with cue!!!!
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maaybe its becoz cue card had a run over fences and grand crus hasnt howdi? rocket science this!
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^^^ have yopu seen their official marks and i can do without patronising.
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Quite apart from that, potentially how could good could the Crack Away Jack race be?? Bunch of decent, seasoned h'cappers against a potential good'un.....
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Cue Card should be odds on. Could not believe VC opened up at 2's yesterday. Boots filled. Grand Crus is only chasing because Big Bucks isn't.
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brave man.......or foolish??
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hmmm...
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At least they can put him in the coral cup with a 10lb claimer onboard.
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CC never settled today. Was keen and sketchy before making a horlicks of one and unseating Joe. It might be best to let him front run rather than trying to restrain him because he clearly has an engine. Tizzard stable not in the best of form right now, either.
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Front run over 2m and let him off imo - no point pullin himself to death over 2m4
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Informative race. I was impressed after CC's fencing debut at Chepstow, but you have to be disapointed after that display. Just watched again, and prior to unseating he made a slight mistake at the previous fence, he just seems to get very close to his fences. The pace wasn't great so maybe he does need to aproach them at topspeed, comment above would seem appropriate.
On the other hand, Grand Crus looked a natural to me, reached for one but other than that was looking out for the next one. He needs further mind you, as does Zaynar who ran well with his cheekpieces. Champion Court is not top class, and looks a handicapper. |
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for get who won....i made my point yesterday
grand crus rated around 17ibs superior over hurdles cue card carryig penalty of 5lbs yes cue had a run under his belt but why was cue ever favourite! |
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bjg...totally agree.pulled his head off and unsettled today..if ever ive seen a chaser who needs to be set alight from the front,and jump well,its cue card.
surely they will go 2m now? |
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cant see him winning this seasons Arkle,dont think hes good enough.still think he will end up in the 2 and half novice.
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Didn't settle today. Not Tizzard's fault....he asked him up at an open ditch and the horse put down......but if I owned the horse, I'd move stables. Joe wins plenty of races at the gaff tracks and wins some at the major venues on outsiders. He tends to win at the top tracks only when there is no expectation of success and I suspect his tension feeds through to the fancied horses he rides at these venues.
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After that, Grand Crus might go for the Arkle - showed a lot of speed.
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hes a 3 miler Stront,surely cannot beat this years Arkle lot.
RSA no doubt in my mind at all. |