I wouldn't get too hung up on stats and trends personally.

Champion Court has loads to find with Join Together and Grands Crus, so to me, he could hit every stat perfectly and I still wouldn't back him.

This race isn't looking as strong to me as it once was, and is looking more like Grands Crus is the likely winner.

I'm struggling to find creditable opposition to him, but then again I never gave Bostons Angel a chance last year.  Sir Des Champs interests me, but only when NRNB comes in

Wellchief - this is a very strong stats race indeed for those who like to punt that way.

Thinking about it today I'm starting to wonder if Grands Crus will win almost by default. Not because he's as good as the hype, just because there may not be anything in the race good enough to beat him.

bobsworth for me .
reportedly miles short of work since his wind op.
obviousy has to brush up on his jumping.
nothing will be staying on up the hill better and is an each way bet to nothing imo.

Stront (regarding GC), I'm not sure. He made a move in the Feltham that not many could make and sustain, so I'm not that surprised the distance was being whittled down. Importantly he never looked like being beaten, and jumped well. I'm not a backer or a layer of GC though.

Wicket - that's perfectly reasonable. racing is about getting to the line in front, not getting there by a huge margin and he did that very well. I suppose my point about Grands Crus is that he hasn't achieved anything as a chaser to justify some of the things people are saying about him - 3rd favourite for the Gold Cup ffs. He could turn out to be very good indeed, but at the moment I think many people are seeing what they want to see, not what is actually there.

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

RSA CHASE comments.......

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.

I think its just an incredibly weak market atm. Not really any money for anything

Bobs Worth problem ?

Yes cannot jump

fft,fo

I will definitely be keeping him onside too tt, will surely be bang there

Bang where? looking up the hill at First Lieutenant sailing away?

Can't have Invictus, Join Together and to a lesser extent Sir Des Champs and Grands Crus. There my cards on the table

Walkon looks a decent e/w bet to me. Has won and Cheltenham and always shaped like he needs the trip.

Agreed Specs,just been looking at him

2:40    RSA NOV CSE             3m+    16 RUNNERS entered

Bit (well,very) left field this - but seem to recall Tony Martin brought Gift of DGab to Plumpton for better ground - then it turned out heavy and they ran into Invictus.

Horse has plenty to find but has been running in the better races - if he does improve for further and better ground (and pedigree suggests he might well do), would not be without a squeak.

It's very competitive obviously but I've taken a bit of 80s ew (and backed Bob's Worth outright to prove I'm not going mad!)