Cheltenham Festival
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07 Sep 12
18:10
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15 Sep 03
Knee deep already 
One of the finest looking beasts ive ever seen, he is majestic ! His novice hurdle campaign was geared towards peaking in March and he didn't disappoint, storming up the hill to win the neptune (albeit OW looking v unlucky), that 21f trip the longest he'd tackled that season.
MM had 4 runs into him over 20f before the Fort Leney at Christmas when he was allowed to go 3miles for the first time under rules. I think he stumbled on the bend going out on the final circuit that day but finished well to grab a well beaten 2nd to Last Instalment. Like the previous year, he had an 11 week break before March(was treated for back issues) and again ran very well in 2nd behind Bobs Worth whose stable were on fire. I thought he ran quite free and did well to finish 2nd there over 25f. Its a mystery why he ran over 16f at Punchy in a bog and not surprisingly was a well beaten 3rd.
After only 7 chases it's fair to assume the best is yet to come and i hope he'l be the one im roaring home next March to give Ireland its first Gold Cup since War of attrition in 2006.
A fantastic season lies ahead with any number of feasible protagonists to the crown, let's hope they all stay in one piece and recognise their potential.
One of the finest looking beasts ive ever seen, he is majestic ! His novice hurdle campaign was geared towards peaking in March and he didn't disappoint, storming up the hill to win the neptune (albeit OW looking v unlucky), that 21f trip the longest he'd tackled that season.
MM had 4 runs into him over 20f before the Fort Leney at Christmas when he was allowed to go 3miles for the first time under rules. I think he stumbled on the bend going out on the final circuit that day but finished well to grab a well beaten 2nd to Last Instalment. Like the previous year, he had an 11 week break before March(was treated for back issues) and again ran very well in 2nd behind Bobs Worth whose stable were on fire. I thought he ran quite free and did well to finish 2nd there over 25f. Its a mystery why he ran over 16f at Punchy in a bog and not surprisingly was a well beaten 3rd.
After only 7 chases it's fair to assume the best is yet to come and i hope he'l be the one im roaring home next March to give Ireland its first Gold Cup since War of attrition in 2006.
A fantastic season lies ahead with any number of feasible protagonists to the crown, let's hope they all stay in one piece and recognise their potential.
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There's another thread where this chap has been discussed quite a lot. Not in the top 3 Irish staying novices for me and not even in the top 2 for his owners. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's a Ryanair horse. However, it will be fascinating to see how they all progress - the irish seem to have the whip hand when it comes to the 3 m second season chasers (and about time).
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I thought he deserved a thread all for himself ! The RSA form is very strong 4 me, BW and FL pulled 11 lenghts clear of the 3rd that day after quite a slow first circuit, suggesting stamina is his forte. I'd be surprised if the Ryanair is on the radar come March.
"He jumped well, gave it everything and was beaten by a better horse on the day. He's a genuine grade 1 horse and if all goes well, he should be back here again next year for the next step,the Gold Cup" Mouse Morris |
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Liam, for me I don't see why he'd reverse with Bobs Worth in the Gold Cup and I don't think BW is all that good. People have argued that FL didn't settle in the RSA which is fair enough, and I thought (in retrospect) the gap before his RSA run did him more harm than good. However, I didn't think FL really saw out the 3 m trip, and he looked one paced, so I don't see why an extra 2 f will suit him (and not as much as it will suit BW).
Probably more important, Last Instalment, Sir des Champs and Flemenstar all look better, classier horses. I know there are doubts about all 3 (fitness and stamina), but if they are fit and do stay I'd expect each of them to beat FL. LI has already stuffed FL on good ground over 3 m. Flem and SDC look (on visual impression and some degree of form) to have the potential to be superb. |
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Strontium, I don't believe the Fort Leney form to be true, i could have given them a race over the first mile and a half, LI nicked it from the front that day aided by FL stumbling into Allez Gardes hind legs(due to the funerial gallop) and missing 2 out when the pace notably quickened. Granted a proper test around Cheltenham (26.5f) LI wouldn't live with FL imo. Flemenstar is without very promising although unproven in public over 20f, although there is plenty of hope in his breeding. I hope he makes it the Gold Cup to ensure a good gallop at the very least! SDC is a very smart horse 4 me, deeply impressive in the Jewson and equally so at Punchy over 25f for the first time ( a very slow time the only hole i can find).
I wonder what Davys thoughts are .... |
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Yes, that's a very interesting question isn't it!
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Finally someone else who agrees with me instead of all this 'going for the Ryanair' talk
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His win in the Neptune was still a sight to behold. His stride is so long he just devoured the hill, beating the Champion Hurdler Rock on Roby.
I've got an open mind about this horse. Physically he looks a 3m chaser through and through, but there was something not right with last season. I dont think Mouse Morris ever had him in the condition and form where he wanted him. I'd be looking to see him in his first race this season and hope he jumps better and just looks in better form with himself as I think he could be better than what we have seen. His hurdles form is certainly very strong. |
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He loooked awesome in the pre parade before the RSA sint, the best looking beast there all week !No idea why he turned up at Punchy over 2 in a bog after though
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looks a cheltenham horse to me. If Gold Cup was at kempton wouldn't have him in the first eight but at cheltenham I wouldnt be laying fancy prices.
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He definitely does look like a Cheltenham horse to me but i wouldn't be touching him until he has proved that the RSA hasn't left a mark. The race has a long history of ruining top class novice chasers with only Denman and Looks Like Trouble managing to do the double in recent memory. At this stage i would have Sir Des Champs and Last Installment before First Lieutenant as both look more natural chasers.
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agree with farmer but FL looks a bruiser to me the more you throw at hiom the hardier he is.
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I should add that Long Run also won the Gold Cup after running in the RSA but he didn't have a hard race once his chance had gone.
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Howdi, I disagree. He's lost 5 of his 7 chases. He never looked like going by BobsWorth in the RSA. His RP in running comment says "ridden and headed just before last, one pace and well held towards finish". If anything, I wonder if he's a bit soft as he has come 2nd and 3rd 4 times (admittedly 3 in Grade 1s).
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GET OUTTA HER SRONIUM nd lay me 66s for the gold cup
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No ta
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I'd be happy with 33s !??
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Maybe they think he has speed for the middle distances races Liam. Dunno. Has such a big long stride on him a stiff finish over shorter might suit. Have a saver for the Ryanair
I think we need to see how he starts this season first before placing any bets tbh. |
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I hate the way people talk about the RSA as being a spoiler for horses. Just in the last 7 years it has produced the winner of the Gold Cup twice.
Who knows it may have been 3 had Trabolgan not busted his tendon after winning the Hennessy. |
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Rynair for sure. Sir Des Champs Gold Cup and alot better.
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Luke what piece of form over 3 miles entitles Sir Des Champs to be 6/1 best price for Gold Cup? Like the horse a lot, but he is way too short on what he has acheived so far imo.
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SDC certainly looks a class act from what ive seen of him,but we are talking about a Gold Cup here.
6/1 for a race 7 months away for a horse that has not even showed us he stays 3m,let alone 3m2 at Chelt!! Hes a challenger of course,but stll a bit to prove for a horse as short as that. |
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Sir Des Champs will be gigginstown main horse for gold cup agree 6-1 is short but he has class, plus First L is taylor made for Rynair and owner would love to win the race.
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Before the Jewson there was a tiny ? as to whether SDC had the speed for the trip. It will be a suprise if he does not stay the Gold Cup trip, in fact it will probably suit him better.
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Bobby worth wins gold cup i have been of that thought for 18 months now.
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Yer probably right,but it could be argued from what weve seen thus far that SDC would be more suited to the Ryanair,having won the Jewson.
I personally dont think that,but until SDC shows us he stays the Gold Cup trip well,then doubts are there. 6/1 is ridiculous imo. Anyway If Last Instalment lines up next March,i would rather be on him. |
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Howdi,
he wont be far off my friend. |
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when we meeting at the races this year for a jar or five..............
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when we meeting at the races this year for a jar or five..............
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Budd, SDC won over 3m at Punchestown festival.
His price however is one of the most ludicrous I have seen. |
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I think his price is probably based on the virtual certainty that the race will be won yet again by a horse having his first run in it (the last two renewals in hindsight, were probably a bit below par) and he is generally accepted to be the 'best' of the likely starters that fit that criteria. I couldn't back it at that price, as classy though he undoubtedly is, I think last years bunch of novices were pretty decent and any one of 5 or 6 winning would not be a shock to me. With a gun to my head I'd probably go for Bobs Worth, but will wait until he runs down the field on a couple of flat tracks before nicking a decent price
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Yeh Sint,he p!ssed up,forgot about that.
 Like you say,still a daft price though. |
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Budd, it was a wek race though and he fell through one of the fences iirc. He still has to prove he stays in good company.
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indeed he does mate,hes a goodun alright,but still a bit to prove.
Really hope Last Instalment is ok this season,exciting Gold Cup type he is. |
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Medermit will be having his first run in the Gold Cup and Aintree confirmed that he needs a step up in trip
he has excellent course form and would like some good ground and a strong gallop 90 is massive for him, if he turns up will be much shorter |
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Agree with Medermit. Talented horse and trip would play to his strenghts.
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Good to see you sticking to your guns Judo
You were unlucky with that one this year. |
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cheers Stront, will just look to get a good green in the race all round this time.
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Judo, Medermit 0 from 8 round Cheltenham, i'd be disappointed if one of the many exciting novices couldn't beat him , for all that he is a classy consistent horse. Good luck tho.
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After last years RSA Mouse Morris said we'll be back for the Gold Cup next year; how do placed RSA horses usually do in the Gold Cup?
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