Budd good points there pal...agree about albertas run but because of his problem earlier in the season that slightly puts me off...on song he will take some beating...

judo slightly disagree about rubi light think he has looked as good if not better this year...he destroyed sizing although admittedly on his favoured ground then for me the run may have come a tad to soon for him at christmas after dismissing joncol again on soft...you have to remember he ran a top race last year beaten only 3 lengths and for a 6 year old was a fair performance...agree if the race was run on soft his chance would be enhanced but would also say because of last years run you cannot dismiss his chances as he handled the ground ok that day...

Ye that is fair - suppose I just like him...likeable sort... I have always liked the great one for this but think this is getting more and more competitive by the day...glad I don't steam in like I used to as would of slammed great endeavour by now...still might though...might just see if he gets the easy lead and take 9 on him...

Depends judo if they all turn up which seems likely I'd say...like i say thats why i haven't played yet...but after murphy scuppered my biggest bet at the meet last year I need to see how he jumps him off especially if the field is 14-15+

Yes you are right it will be backed...but kind of think I will be able to back at the price 14's for a little while with the field looking like it does and if it cuts up. I will be happy to take 10 on him if the field comes down in size...

Hes never got the credit mate,every year since his RSA year hes been available at big odds on here,and i have been lucky enough to take them,hes probably won me more money than any other horse to be honest.
Funnily enough his price now is holding up fairly well considering his setback and not being seen since Oct,so i think people are a bit more aware of him - taken them long enough!!
He turns up on the day and the grounds ok he will be single figures,or should be!!

yeh,Kauto Stone is interesting,but something keeps stopping me from backing him.He runs Saturday so may need to get in before then if you fancy him.

judo- dont how u say u cant have rubi light, i think hes nailed on for this, he was only beaten 3l last year by albertas, had he not blundered 3 out wud of been alot closer, he clearly improved since last year festival, alberta's year older, rubi light will prove that he's top class, his form with sizing is solid, just hope ground isnt to fast like last yr, but even so ain t got nowt to make up

Its all about getting him there Glossy,if they do and its decent going Albertas should run his race.

i may have to eat my words, but i think rubi light will prove to be a class act, i think he'll win a gold cup in time, if the ground isnt to fast i cudnt have nething else in the race

we shall see what happens but I just don't rate the horse and think he is under priced

it's all about interpretation and clearly myself and Denman have entirely opposing interpretations of Rubi Light - he might yet prove me wrong and fair play if he does

For the final time, I think the form is over rated - especially the race with Sizing Europe in it which I think has zero significance as there would have been any numbers of horses that could have beaten SE that day - and in his trainers own words he needs soft ground which he is very unlikely to get at Cheltenham. Yes he ran well enough in the race last year but this years race is much stronger than last years and there are horses in it that really produce their best form on good ground

As for winning a Gold Cup, well I am afraid there is almost zero chance of that because it was proven he doesn't even stay 3 miles in the race Synchronised won at Xmas and he will be kept to 2.5 mile races

Not knocking the horse, just giving my assessment of chances as accurately as I can - we will see which proves more accurate in a month

Denman,This is an open race mate,and imo not wise to rule too many out at this stage.

RL is not for me at the prices,but i do think hes one of a fair few that COULD win the race.
He was ok on decent ground last year,and whilst this looks a better race this year,he may well put in a better performance this year with another year of experience.I would not write him off at all and can understand people touting him,especially if they have nice odds.

indeed, just another contender mate

Is he a flat track horse?

I have one major problem in assessing this race, and Harry in particular will laugh about this!

Somersby!

How do you rate him in the context of this race? He ran very well in a Supreme and finished less than a length behind Sizing Europe in his Arkle, so it is hard to say he doesn't act at the track. For me, it would be a similar way of looking at Medermit in terms of acting at the course - neither give the impression it is their favourite, but both have run very good races here.

So, for all the Medermit fans in particular, is there not a concern that Somersby beat him by 9l over 2m3f earlier in the season off level weights? It ties in with Budd's points I guess, in that Medmermit has since improved his rating but in handicap company (albeit excellent company). I suspect he has improved for the step up in trip but there is something I find hard to swallow about what would be relatively sudden and significant improvement in a horse that has been battle hardened in a way that most improvers usually haven't.

I find it hard to think he has the class of Somersby, and that puts me off him. Somersby, as we all know, seems to love tanking through a race only to usually uproot a fence at a crucial point and then find little before plugging on late. To my eye, this is usually what Medermit does as well, which is another issue I have with that one.

I agree with the general views that this might just be a race that throws up a future star, and on that basis I do have maximum respect for Rubi Light, who as well as running a blinder last year, actually had a pretty torrid passage after the third last. That said, I just get the feeling that he won't have conditions quite right and I also have a feeling that the last two year's races might not have been as good as they looked at the time.

Very interested to see how Riverside Theatre goes at the weekend as I do think he could be very smart, while Great Endeavour can certainly make his presence felt if he gets into a rhythm. Nightmare race!

Rubi Light now taking his rightful place at the head of the market.

Interested to see how Riverside Theatre runs today, but Rubi will take a hell of a lot of beating.

Still some good rivals to show their hand, but he looks the most likely winner to me at this stage

that was an egg and spoon race and has no bearing really, nothing changed as it told us nothing we didn't already know

now we get to see if one of these can really step up

good performance from RT,and Medermit ran well also,both will be players i think,although i would be against RT on the track,dontb think it suits him as much.Certainly hope Med is!!
Think we can forget Kauto Stone.

Kauto Stone was very disappointed, you'd have thought the rain would have helped his chances. I was impressed by Medermit, especially with his recovery from the error as the race was hotting up. Is he definitely running in the Ryanair?

"pun run
17 Feb 12 19:43 Joined: 28 Apr 09 | Topic/replies: 60 | Blogger: pun run's blog
i think forpadydeplasterer is slipping under the radar at a big price"

I think exactly the same squire...but there must be doubts about his participation.
I think he's crying out for a trip nowadays, and he's just banging his head against a brick wall in trying to compete with Sizing Europe & Big Zeb over 2M - it's a complete waste of time.

Conversely, I think Somersby is well worth his place in the QM instead of The Ryanair, as a fast run 2M over Festival C&D will bring out the best in him.
I know it was two seasons ago but he made Sizing Europe pull out all the stops in The Arkle.

Thought medermit ran better than the bare form there...have to say I think they should have a stab at the gold cup with him? I'm not pocket talking as have no investment in ryannair...but think he is worth a shot over further...anyone else think this??

Anyways marked himself down as a proper grade 1 horse in the making today as riverside theatre is a proper grade 1 horse at this trip round ascot and kempton...I wouldn't be disheartened if you are on for the ryannair as long as this race doesn't leave its mark that is...but don't think it will he is tough...if he can just travel a tad better he will have chances at cheltenham but I for one think he maybe hitting his flat spots just because they are going to fast for him at these trips...cannot wait to see him go further now...