Anyone agree that four champions to win again a decent bet around 50/1

Cheers sint have followed your posts before and respect ur views. **** it goin to have a decent bet on it - for me anyway!

Seems about right. Not sure what you'd get as a multiple NRNB with Laddies? They are all worthy favourites and SE & BB seem bomb proof to me. You'll be in a nice position if the first 3 come in

If still available 50/1 goood value - Lads 35/1 - frankly at that I'd sooner have a shot at a 33/1 shot in one of the handicaps

Could disappear tomorrow if HF hacks up. I don't agree with horse9 that it's the "worst Gold Cup in history", but I do think Long Run is the most likely loser of the 4. However, you can lay it off on the Thursday night...

That's your call horse. But he's not any old 12 year old. I entirely agree there's not much depth beyond the front two unless something else steps up big time.

Is there anything else that can step up ? Captain Chris was the live one and look at him today.
I totally agree Kauto isn't an ordinary 12 year old but I cannot accept he's improving - if Long Run kicks one too many out the ground and Kauto stops up the hill I dread to think what will win a blue ribband, could be another Nortons Coin moment.
Seriously, I stood there criticising everyone connected with Gloria Victis all them years ago for running the novice in the Gold Cup but if a gun was held to my head forcing me to back something in the race now, I'd be with Grand Crus, and he's a horse who's only chasing because he couldn't get near Big Bucks over hurdles

horse - I think Long Run could probably kick half of them out of the ground and still win. There'll probably be 10 grade 1 winners in the field (15 entered at this stage I think) - something decent will win the race.

Horse - I've posted something similar on another thread last month in that a 'Norton's Coin' result could be on the cards for the reasons you state.
I also made a point that a one-paced plodder (with two stone to find) is likely to have everyone stupefied, by running a massive race.

After the first entry stage, many of those potential candidates were scratched, which I think connections may regret.

Long Run, as I see it is home & hosed even with a few sloppy jumps, and only a 'stopper' can prevent him from winning.
However, one rival to fear is not a good enough excuse for not turning up - I think EVERYTHING should have a go in a race with question marks over every runner!

I've said this before, and I'll repeat it, that Chicago Grey is tailor-made for this race, despite his official rating of 150, and I'm hoping connections use the supplementary stage to enter him after the Grand National weights are published, as that's an obvious target.

I've been wary of stating it too vehemently for fear of ridicule, but I've ALWAYS thought Kauto Star had suspect stamina - even when he won his second Gold Cup!

We ALL know that 'non-stayers' don't win Gold Cups, and the record book could be shoved under my hooter to shut me up, but the chasers in opposition at the time weren't (as now) exactly stellar!

He beat a similar sort of rival in Exotic Dancer in his first GC, then was blitzed by Denman, before beating that same rival who I very much doubt was at a peak in 2009 - he's been well exposed in the last couple of Gold Cups and I think it's on the cards again, though I would love to be wrong.

I can't stand the horse but Quito De La Roque looks a guaranteed stayer though I have strong reservations about his class/ability - he's a certain runner (at this moment) a safe conveyance, and will appreciate the demands of the race - he looks sure to be on the premises on the turn for home.

Scratch beneath the surface and there's little depth where it comes to having the necessary attributes to win this race.

Take Long Run out and QDLR is a stand out for me - there's absolutely no bias involved, but the weaknesses in the other runners are so obvious, it's become a process of elimination.

It never happens,but ive had a go at this bet-again!!
Did it last year and Bino withdrew before it got going!!!!

Its a bet that potentially can put you in nice positions if the first 2 come in.Particularly if you have others antepost,like the 2nd and 3rd favs for example.
Thats why i like the bet,plus it gives you a nice pay out if it does come off.

I think this one is more likely this year, because across all four races there is a serious lack of any second season novices that could potentially pose a big threat - therefore, a lot of the races mean the Champ will be taking on pretty much the same horses as last year, or less classy second season novices.

Champion Hurdle

Last year Peddlers Cross, Oscar Whisky and Menorah were all second season novices, who had put up some great performances in the year, added to the unknown in Hurricane Fly, Binocular was far from certain to win.  This year there are plenty of second season novices, but Spirit Son was by far the stongest imo, and that leaves Zarkandar who hasn't run, and Grandouet and Unnaccompanied only.

Champion Chase

Big Zeb was the Champ, but Sizing Europe as a second season novice and an Arkle winner added spice to the mix.  Arkle winners have a great record, and this year we don't have an Arkle winner in the race.  At the time, Woolcombe Folly was a second season novice, and had put up a great handicap performance earlier in the year.  Finians is the only unexposed one in the race who could upset things for the big 2 from last year

World Hurdle

Grands Crus was a very exiting second season novice, who put up an amazing performance in the Cleeve, that shook up the market in the WH.  This year, we have Oscar Whisky (not a second season novice, but most unexposed at 3m).  Apart from that (with the exception of 1000 stars), Big Bucks has beat or the others have stones to find

Gold Cup

Imperial Commander was the champ, but Long Run was a second season novice who had just won the King George, and therefore could be the unknown.  If Grands Crus doesn't run there is very little behind him that have the mix of speed, class and stamina to trouble the top 2.

Therefore, the point I'm trying to make is, there were a lot of uncertainties in the races last year, with plenty of unexposed young horses.  This next statement may come back to haunt me, but this year's seem a lot more cut and dry.

Who is this available with please lads? Got to be a good bet for a small stake imo.

Hi

Go to the Ladbrokes site, Horse Racing, National Hunt 2011/12 Season specials.

Good punting

Forty

Some good point here.
Strong - it may be true there are 15 grade one winners at this stage but most them win weak Irish affairs and I'm afraid the Irish challenge this year just looks awful (for the Gold Cup).

Good point (whoever made it) about connections regretting not declaring, Chicago Grey outstayed everything in the NH Chase last year and screamed 'Grand National', stamina is important but you still need the speed to go championship pace and does a horse who needed every yard of the 4m last year look a Gold Cup winner in waiting ?
Ordinarily I'd have to say no, but this year you just don't know....

Chicago Grey?  Surely he'd have to set off the night before to have a chance! I'll look under almost any rock to try and find something to beat a big race favourite, especially at Cheltenham but I'd have to draw the line way short of that one!!

BB and HF are fast looking like penalty kicks.

50/1 about Sizing Europe and Long Run double isnt too shabby

Been going long enough to know that the big 4 never win, but still looks a good value bet.

Ok, idiot me, didnt think, 16/1 is far better than the lucky. Oops

No chance whatsoever of 50s now.

The prices right now (above) work out at 37/1 - still not bad value

Reaseheath - LOL