Sintonian, I'm actually agreeing with 90% of what you're saying but find the bit about Zarkandar not seeing which way he goes a bit complacent, that's all.

well i've never said he has been half fit. Unfit, yes. He has 8 lengths to turnaround with Zark on likely much better ground, level weights, and full fitness. 2/3 those reasons are evidential but the naysayers think the trainer is talking bullsh1t.

He was my biggest ever winner when he won CH last year, and have went in to win roughly the same amount this year, albeit at significantly shorter odds. Was very confident last year, but not quite as much just now. Not too worried about the December run at Cheltenham, but seemed clear Darlan was going to take him last time out, before his horrible fall.

Trying to keep optimistic, at least consoling myself that he won it fair and square last year. Fingers crossed

yes

That's not what I'm asking, just want to know how many of the people arguing RoRs case did't back him last year.

Also, for those who didn't back him last year, when did they back RoR for this years race?

CV,are you implying people are using pockets and loyalty to cloud their judgement??

My view on Zark is he just does enough in front Sint, have looked at all his races and that is the opinion I get. Reminds me of Big Bucks, looks like he could be in trouble so many times but keeps finding when another horse comes up to him.

Grandouet should certainly have won the Bula, RoR and Zark went head to head a long way from hom and Grandouet was sitting ready to pounce. Once RoR cracked Grandouet came to pounce, but Zark found even more and pulled more out.

People focus on the 4lbs and the run he already had that season. But people forget that was Zarks 7th ever start and only his 6th completed race and was a 5yo. He is gonna improve for that run as much as anything.

HArdy Eustace won back to back Champion hurdles by finding truck loads for pressure. Zark would well do the same and I'd be utterly stunned if he was unplaced such is the horses honesty, tenacity and staying power. He's gobbled up the hill every time he's met it. Up there with the pace and taking it up after the 2nd last I can honestly see him winning.

The only negative I can see is how Ruby didn;t even for a second consider riding him instead of the Fly. He was staunch in his Support of Kauto and his faith was proved correct then. That'd be my only negative for Zark.

ruby would ride fly if it lost a leg mate.

never a question in the first place imo

Sint what horses will come speeding past Zark in your opinion? This field of horses look slow bar Fly/Grandouet to me.

Aston Villa  although my team aint doin much better

ROR didnt look slow last year when he had Zarkandar behind him, he fairly sprinted up that hill.

Well you'd hardly say RoR has a turn of foot he was up with the pace and took it up then a fair way out.

I've also mentioned that you cannot for a second assume that the Zark who ran last year will be anything like the Zark that will turn up this year. Last year he missed half the season and ran in a Champion hurdle not only as a 5yo but on his 5th ever start.

People may remember me saying loud and loud that Zark had utterly no chance in hell of even placing. He was a mega place lay, 1 prep run and was coughing afterwards and goes to chelts with every stat there is to break.

He's 6yo now with his first full season behind him, he's 3/3 and looks the best he's ever been. He'll be a totally different horse to the one who ran last year. Maybe he won't win, but but he'll run his heart out and stay on up the hill like a train.

Grandouet for me,ran well in the Bula and needed the run badly and still nearly won giving 4lbs to Zarkandar who looked very workmanlike on Saturday,Grandoeuts prep may not be ideal but still expect him in first 3,Hurricane Fly's age a slight worry,not gone mad on any of the other runners...

Alternatively eeternal views that have influenced wagers, or non wagers on RoR as it is for me

Yes yes I get all that about being the reigning champ, different targets etc. But it worked for him being fit throughout the season culminating in the Champion itself.

That has Nicholl's stamp all over it imo and Harry wants to do it his way which I guess is fair enough. If the horse was with a trainer who had proved he could build a horse up through the season to peak at Cheltenham in the way he is trying with RoR I would perhaps see the prep differently. But he hasn't and there is a lot of unflinching faith that he will do.

Don't get wrong as I have said repeatedly I like the horse, and it will be good if a young new trainers bags a major prize. I suspect that the after race comments might be that 'he's never been quite right this season'

It will be HF & Zark the ones who are being aimed at to beat imo. ROR is 3rd favourite.

@Roobuck, yeah this would be my worry. ROR had an exceptional season up to and including cheltenham and then flattened out considerably. A punter is taking a lot on faith to assume he will return to the form he showed last year. I for one thought he was about to take a pummeling from Darlan before that terrible fall and unless its good ground again I think he will be up against it.

The race is easy to read in my opinion, Rock On Ruby travelled best, Rock on Ruby quickened best and Rock On Ruby stayed on as well as any of the others.

Yep PF,pretty easy to read.

And you are also correct in that he has not got the credit he deserves,at least by some anyway.

yeh,and that may be a tad more tricky.
Still,his trainer seems bullish.

They may be closer Roo but i've not seen much speed from Zark on Good ground against the best. If ROR has to make the running or be prominent then the other jockeys need to be mindful not to give him too much rope. It works both ways.