Cheltenham Festival
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The Don Cossack fan club
The Don Cossack fan club
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Replies: 699
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Should have read Long Run 4.
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And Denman 6! Can't count today.
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And, just to round off the survey, these are the top chasers this century over all distances, in terms of the number of times they exceeded 175.
Kauto Star 17 times from 31 starts Sprinter Sacre 8 from 18 Don Cossack 7 from 19 Cue Card 7 from 24 Denman 6 from 19 Master Minded 5 from 25 Obviously, Cue Card and, hopefully, Don Cossack, could have the chance to improve their tallies. Maybe puts into context the "Golden Age" comments. |
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Think my brain has gone soft.
The 1.15 post was meant to read 40 performances at 3 miles or more. Plenty more at lesser distances. |
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So leaving the other contenders to one side we can answer the question. No he isn't as good as we've seen this century.
Kauto is clear. |
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Yes and no eeternal.
Yes, in that Kauto Star posted a series of performances that no other horse has come near to matching, although Don Cossack has matched his record of seven successive 175+ performances. No, in that I deliberately emphasised "stayer" and over distances in excess of 3 miles, Kauto Star posted a modest 2 wins from 8 starts, albeit they were two Gold Cups. |
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Kauto Star 'modest'....and the Beatles were **** too
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Any update on The Don? Hope he's not too distressed.
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^^^ Easy list now , going to have a look in October and make a decision on his future (vibes 70-30 you won'y see him race again).
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Looks slightly more rosy after yesterday's comments by the trainer, and it seems unusual that he could be working again six months after a tendon injury but at least hope has not yet gone.
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thanks for the update.
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Michael O'Leary was not very positive on Newstalk Breakfast radio this morning with Ivan Yates saying "tendon injury usually takes 2 years to fully recover - he's 9yo - so unlikely to come back as good as he was at 11yo".
Great interview, worth a listen... http://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Breakfast/Highlights_from_Newstalk_Breakfast/142561/Luas_drivers_are_a_bunch_of_headbangers_says_OLeary |
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I think O'Leary is very much a pessimist when it comes to his horses. I hope Elliott's comments are more relevant to this particular injury than O'Leary's about tendon injuries in general. As ever, the way the market twitches as the summer proceeds will probably be the litmus test of how he's progressing.
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Any further news on The Don's tendon injury, anyone? I hope The Don is recuperating well and not in any major discomfort; I also hope the correct decision will be made in due course.
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And so we draw to a close.
We never got to relish the build up to a clash between Don Cossack and Thistlecrack and his greatest moment will remain his last moment. Those of us who get great pleasure from latching onto a horse, following him through good and bad and seeing him reap the ultimate prize can't be too sad, though there will always be the frustration that even better could have followed. I think Don Cossack, once he'd fully matured, was as good as just about anything we've seen in recent times. In his last two seasons,(rated top staying chaser in each, as well as top intermediate chaser in 14/15)he was barely extended. His only two reverses were in the notorious (for him) Ryanair and when he fell in the King George. While Cue Card fans are entitled to their opinion, I have no doubt The Don would have beaten him easily in both the King George and the Gold Cup had the falls not occurred. The thought of him being outstayed in the latter race is hardly credible, given that he was one of the easiest winners we've seen in that race for years. The sight of Don Cossack demolishing the field in the Melling, surging clear in a red hot Punchestown Chase and, of course, cruising home in the Gold Cup will live with me, though the scene will be so much poorer without him. A classic example of a staying chaser being given time to grow into himself, almost a throwback to old fashioned days, learning his trade and developing into a magnificent chaser. Happy retirement, Don. |
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Fair play cyclops, you identified this fella early doors. As you say, nothing better than one catching your eye and see them go all the way.
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Was never a fan of the horse myself (not knocking him, he was just never one of my horses) but had him as the clear pick for last year's Gold Cup and in combination with On The Fringe won me a massive double that smashed my previous best, so I will always remember him very fondly.
Happy retirement Don, you have earned it. |
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As this year's Festival approaches, I thought I'd bring this thread up again in the light of the Bryan Cooper interview in today's RP.
Would he still have won had Cue Card stood up? “Definitely," comes the instant answer. "My fella did not do a stroke when he got to the front. He had loads left. I was left in front far too early. I thought Djakadam would take me further but he couldn't and I had to go. "I didn't want to hit the front until after the second-last. I know there are some people who think Cue Card might have won but if I'd had something to take me along for further, I'd have absolutely bolted up. Paddy Brennan may or may not think differently,and certainly some Cue Card supporters have made some bold statements, but the above certainly tallies with how I saw the race; perhaps the easiest Gold Cup winner I've seen. |
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How far would Super Don have won by
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3L
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