**2012 RSA Chase**

Shocked he has nt even given an entry to Hidden Cyclone!

Shark Hanlon is in bullish mood ahead of Hidden Cyclone’s next outing in the Grade 2 ****.com Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday and Hanlon reports him in rude health.

“He schooled very well the other day and is working savage. He’s in great form,” said Hanlon at Gowran Park this afternoon.
The son of Stowaway has now won seven of his eight career starts including twice at Grade 2 level over hurdles last season.

I have three entries in the RSA and many will think that Silviniaco Conti is my number one hope at this stage after his excellent second to Grands Crus in the Feltham. But hold your bets on this horse.

We will not be taking on the winner again if he goes down the novice route, and it could be that we wait until Aintree. I think a flat track will suit him better than Cheltenham.

But the race is definitely the plan for Join Together. He was very impressive at Cheltenham last time and has three options for his next outing; Newbury on Betfair Super Saturday, the Reynoldstown or maybe Fontwell on National Spirit Day. Star De Mohaison won at Fontwell before winning the RSA. In fact, those three races are possibles for Silviniaco Conti, too.

I wonder is it that Stowaways are simply soft ground horses and that going to Cheltenham is just a waste of time?I cant see past Last Instalment-just review his Xmas run-your eyes dont lie.

Agree, I'm bullish about Last Instalment too.

Me too,just hope he runs.I like First Lieutenant as well.

Good.Thats settled.So concludes this thread.

First Lieutenant will improve for festival ground and is overpriced. Mossley is a big player in the tbp market......yes I'm talking up the 2 bets i've made in the last month!!!!

Leopardstown at Xmas was Festival(good)ground.How many lenghts does he have to make up?

Hoping the lure of the Gold Cup is resisted its Grands Crus for me with Lambro E/W

I'm on First Lieutenant at 20/1. The way he came up the hill last year was pretty special.

took 12's early in season and a bit of 20's recently myself, now it looks like someone is about to tip first lieutenant as price crashed today.

Looks like Pricewise tomorrow

the first one he is gonna tip that has a prayer

Scratching made for 11
The remainder pay scratching deadline fee

Allee Garde (FR) (Doran Bros (London) Limited) W. P. Mullins, Ireland............ 7 11 4
Benbane Head (USA) (Mrs Louise Jones) Martin Keighley..................................... 8 11 4
Berties Dream (IRE) (Half A Keg Syndicate) Henry de Bromhead, Ireland..... 9 11 4
Bobs Worth (IRE) (The Not Afraid Partnership) Nicky Henderson..................... 7 11 4
Bog Warrior (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) A. J. Martin, Ireland ..................... 8 11 4
Call The Police (IRE) (DD Racing Syndicate) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ..................... 9 11 4
Cannington Brook (IRE) (Mrs Sara Biggins & Mrs Celia Djivanovic)
Colin Tizzard........................................................................ 8 11 4
Champion Court (IRE) (Mr M. Boothright) Martin Keighley.................................. 7 11 4
Cristal Bonus (FR) (Mr R. J. H. Geffen) Paul Nicholls ............................................... 6 11 4
Eight Is My Number (M White/M Reeder/E Johansen-Wooder)
Gordon Elliott, Ireland........................................................................ 6 11 4
First Lieutenant (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) M. F. Morris, Ireland ............ 7 11 4
Gift of Dgab (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) A. J. Martin, Ireland ..................... 8 11 4
Grands Crus (FR) (Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III) David Pipe ................ 7 11 4
Harpsy Cord (IRE) (Alan & Ann Potts Partnership) J. T. R. Dreaper, Ireland .. 6 11 4
Invictus (IRE) (Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin Hughes) Alan King.............................................. 6 11 4
Join Together (IRE) (Mr Paul K Barber & Mr Ian J Fogg) Paul Nicholls ............. 7 11 4
Lambro (IRE) (Byerley Thoroughbred Racing) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ................... 7 11 4
Mossley (IRE) (Mr Michael Buckley) Nicky Henderson.............................................. 6 11 4
Mr Moonshine (IRE) (Mrs S. Smith) Sue Smith ............................................................ 8 11 4
Saint Are (FR) (Mr D. W. Fox) Tim Vaughan ................................................................ 6 11 4
Sir des Champs (FR) (Gigginstown House Stud) W. P. Mullins, Ireland.............. 6 11 4
Soll (Mr Derrick Mossop) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ............................................................. 7 11 4
Teaforthree (IRE) (T437) Rebecca Curtis ....................................................................... 8 11 4
Up The Beat (Mrs A. M. Varmen/R. J. D. Varmen) W. P. Mullins, Ireland.......... 7 11 4
Walkon (FR) (McNeill Family) Alan King .......................................................................... 7 11 4

Silvianco Conti out then.

Going straight to Aintree with him sint.

Starting to look a bit thin now. 2 of my 3 long shots are out and Mr Moonshine looks a forlorn hope now. If Grands Crus runs, he should win, but after that it looks very difficult.

Grands Crus (9/4) , Bobs Worth (7/2) , First Lieutenant (6) , Invictus (8) , Join Together (8) , Sir Des Champs (11) , Bog Warrior (20) , Lambro (25) , Call The Police (33) , Champion Court (33) , Walkon (33) , Berties Dream (40) , Cristal Bonus (40) , Allee Garde (50) , Mossley (50) , Teaforthree (50) , Benbane Head (66) , Cannington Brook (66) , Gift of Dgab (66) , Harpsy Cord (66)  - Others  66 or more

What they said about the RSA CHASE............

Paul Nicholls - We’ve purposely not run Join Together saving him for this. He jumps well and stays very well. Stamina is his forte so he would prefer the New Course (RSA run on Old Course). Paul Nicholls said Join Together has won twice at the course, and would stay on as well as anything in the race. Join together not far off Grand Crus on ratings. In good order. Proper chaser thought he was slow but kept on improving. Ruby not said who he's riding yet. S Conti goes to Aintree. Didn't feel he stayed at Kempton or Ascot.

David Pipe - If I could have £1 for every time I have been asked where Grands Crus will run. It’s a nice dilemma to have. It’s frightening looking at the media every day seeing who is missing the Festival so let’s see. We will decide five days before. David Pipe said Grand Crus was in great form at home, probably wouldn’t decide on the race, until the 5 day decs. After hearing news about Kauto Star, Grand Crus will be left in both 5 day entries. Grand Crus done nothing wrong. Gave him an entry in Betfair not worried about taking on older horses. Long way to go & plenty to happen. Not totally sure he will get the 3 m 2. Said everything up in the air has the ability to travel & jump in a Gold Cup. If Kauto's out he's 2nd fav. He seemed very undecided at times but just get the feeling he was edging towards Gold Cup.

Paul Jones - Grands Crus wouldn’t be a stats horse as Feltham winners have a shocking record but we know he bounds up the hill. I strongly fancy Bobs Worth each-way. He was giving Invictus weight at Ascot when not beaten far having only had one gallop since a wind op and is much better racing left-handed being unbeaten at Cheltenham in three starts. He also only had five lengths to find with Grands Crus in the Feltham and has had a wind op since and will be happier away from Kempton. Paul Jones respected Invictus and Bobs Worth who is 3/3 at Cheltenham. Indeed thought Bobs Worth EW at 5-1 was one of the best bets at the meeting

Andrew King - Grands Crus has to be one of the better bets of the meeting of those at short prices. Andrew king thought Bobs Worth would go well, but Grand Crus would win if running

Charlie Longsdon - I really can’t see past Grands Crus, he has too much class for these.

Andrew Tinkler - I’ve not had much to do with Bobs Worth until five days before Ascot when I was asked to school him beforehand. He has no wow factor about him and I would be a bit surprised if he can beat Grands Crus. It can often take a run to get over a wind operation as they think it might hurt them the next time they race. I think that might have happened at Ascot as he looked quite laboured but then when he realised it wasn’t going to hurt he ran on.

Kevan Minter - Grands Crus is one of my bankers of the meeting. He has high-class hurdles form and travels really easily. Invictus would be my idea of the main danger.

Ruby Walsh – Grand Crus doesnt really see out his races,Ruby also doesnt like peddlers cross,says he doesnt have a good enough cut at his fences. Grand Crus is beatable. Sir De Champs has a chance with a run.

Barry Geraghty was quite sweet on Bobs Worth in the RSA. Grand Crus is beatable. Bobs Worth is his choice.

Davy Russell - First Lieutenant/Sir de Champs. First Lieutenant does not have a chance and his form is not good enough and would prefer 2m 5f. He fancies Call the Police with a run.

Jim McGrath - Grand Crus/First Lieutenant

Tanya Stephenson - Grand cru's will go for gold- First Lieutenant/Bobsworth. Always felt Bob's Worth crying out for Cheltenham.

Joe Tizzard - Cannington Brook got an entry but might go handicap.

Paddy Power - A lot of people waiting for NRNB. Bob's Worth 3/3 at Chelt. 4/4 Left handed. First Lieutenant ran well behind Last Installment. Bobs Worth.

Jessica Harrington - Grand Crus, but admits he is vulnerable.

Colm Murphy - Whatever Davy Russell rides.

Donn McCVlean - First Lieutenant. But was disappointed to hear what DR had to say.

Both Kevin O’Ryan and Tony Martin solidly against Grand Crus.

Tony Martin preferring Sir Des Champs

Both Kevin O’Ryan and Damien McElroy opted for First Lieutenant, confident of Mouse Morris’s abilities with his small string to get one ready for the meeting.

2:40    RSA NOV CSE             3m+    16 final entries

Grands Crus (2) , Bobs Worth (10/3) , Sir Des Champs (9/2) , First Lieutenant (5) , Join Together (7) , Bog Warrior (12) , Call The Police (25) , Lambro (25) , Walkon (33) , Cannington Brook (50) , Mossley (50) , Mr Moonshine (50) , Saint Are (66) , Benbane Head (80) , Gift of Dgab (80)

I fancy Join Together for this. His lateast win is as good as any form shown imo. His run here last year is a bit of a worry but I'm prepared to forgive him that as he usuallu does well at Chelteham. Also when asked on the morning line the Nicholls stable guy said that he thought this was thier best chance.

Good each way chance I think.

Grands Crus runs in RSA. Phew. Now he's just got to win it.....

Grands Crus will contest Wednesday's RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival rather than tackle Friday's Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Trainer David Pipe had been deliberating between the two options for his unbeaten novice, who was last seen when landing the Grade One Feltham Chase at Kempton over Christmas.

Connections had been tempted to step up to full company for the Gold Cup, but Pipe has confirmed he will stick to the novice route for now.

He said on his website: "After weeks of speculation, I am pleased to announce that Grands Crus will participate in this year's RSA Chase on the Wednesday of the Cheltenham Festival."

NO.     FORM     HORSE     AGE     WGT     TRAINER RTF%     JOCKEY     OR     TS     RPR
1     11-132         Bobs Worth 25     7     11-4     Nicky Henderson42     Barry Geraghty     151     165     172
2     10-P12         Call The Police 31     9     11-4     W P Mullins53         146     110     158
3     2-3151         Cannington Brook 25     8     11-4     Colin Tizzard47     Joe Tizzard     150     140     160
4     3121P2         First Lieutenant 77     7     11-4     M F Morris20     D N Russell     142     107     158
5     2-6111         Grands Crus 79 t     7     11-4     David Pipe48     Tom Scudamore     159     169     178
6     1P-F11         Join Together 95     7     11-4     Paul Nicholls62     R Walsh     157     146     166
7     18123         Lambro 31     7     11-4     W P Mullins53         144     127     156
8     11350         Mr Moonshine 25     8     11-4     Sue Smith29     Shane Byrne     148     151     164
9     07-134         Walkon 26     7     11-4     Alan King42     Robert Thornton     151     139     166