cheltenham gold cup 2014 .

The Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
Class 1, Grade 1, £550,000, Friday, March 14th. 3m 2f. 110yds.

Form  Horse    Age Owner    Trainer
343/1-13 AL FEROF (FR)  9 John Hales    Paul Nicholls
FP1-113 ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE (FR) 9 Susannah Ricci   Willie Mullins IRE
21/11-61 BOBS WORTH (IRE) 9 The Not Afraid Partnership  Nicky Henderson
3/F1115- BOG WARRIOR (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud  Tony Martin IRE
2/11FF-1 BOSTON BOB (IRE) 9 Andrea & Graham Wylie  Willie Mullins IRE
12264-3 CAPTAIN CHRIS (IRE) 10 Diana Whateley   Philip Hobbs
251-02U CHAMPION COURT (IRE) 9 Mark Boothright   Martin Keighley
103-101 CLOUDY TOO (IRE)  8 Formulated Polymer Products Ltd Sue Smith
112-312 CUE CARD   8 Jean Bishop    Colin Tizzard
12F-415 DEDIGOUT (IRE)  8 Gigginstown House Stud  Tony Martin IRE
1121-25 DYNASTE (FR)  8 John White    David Pipe
213-342 FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud  Mouse Morris IRE
11UB-13 HARRY TOPPER  7 D J Keyte    Kim Bailey
204-161 HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) 7  Mrs Julian Blackwell   Venetia Williams
0211-F4 KATENKO (FR)  8 Andrew Brooks   Venetia Williams
UP-5125 KNOCKARA BEAU (IRE) 11 Alistair Charlton   George Charlton
3P1111/- LAST INSTALMENT (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud  Philip Fenton IRE
132-54U LONG RUN (FR)  9 Robert Waley-Cohen   Nicky Henderson
1231-00 LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 8 Dr Ronan Lambe   Jim Culloty IRE
2F423-5 LYREEN LEGEND (IRE) 7 Lyreen Syndicate   Dessie Hughes IRE
132234/- MEDERMIT (FR)  10 The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership Alan King
13P-341 MONBEG DUDE (IRE) 9 Oydunow    Michael Scudamore
4141-U4 MOUNT BENBULBEN (IRE) 9 Barry Connell    Gordon Elliott IRE
21113-2 ROCKY CREEK (IRE) 8 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls
1-F21P2 ROI DU MEE (FR)  9 Gigginstown House Stud  Gordon Elliott IRE
U222-23 RUBI BALL (FR)  9 SC Ecurie Madame Patrick Papot Willie Mullins IRE
11F3-31 SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 8 Potensis Limited & Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
06203-0 TEAFORTHREE (IRE) 10 Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman Rebecca Curtis
240-0U5 THE GIANT BOLSTER 9 Simon Hunt    David Bridgwater
FP1-332 THEATRE GUIDE (IRE) 7 Jean Bishop    Colin Tizzard
121-153 TIDAL BAY (IRE)  13 Andrea & Graham Wylie  Paul Nicholls
5145/4-4 TIME FOR RUPERT (IRE) 10 Littlecote Racing Partnership  Paul Webber
301-131 TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) 7 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr   Nicky Henderson
114-310 UNIONISTE (FR)  6 John Hales    Paul Nicholls
125-UF1 VINO GRIEGO (FR)  9 Chris Stedman   Gary Moore
P06-52P WAYWARD PRINCE 10 John & Hilary Parrott   Hilary Parrott

36 entries
11 Irish-trained

Thanks BJG. Arvika is an odd entry. Just a waste of Ricci's money surely.

Is First Lieutenant overpriced at 12/1 nrnb? You'd think he'd be shorter if he lines up.

As a chaser on the real big day, there's always one to beat him. 1 from 11 in grade 1's since going fencing and that was at liverpool.

See Al Ferof has been put up in the weekender at 20/1, personally i see no reason why he wouldn't be gold cup bound and should run in the race. I am not a purchaser of the paper but seen it on the front cover in the local tescos lol.

Cheltenham is his track after all and also think he is value even now at 16s.

I like Al Ferof, especially round Cheltenham, but after the King George the vibes seemed to suggest that he'd run in the Ryanair. Since then, however, Nicholls has said he'll run in the Denman Chase, with that race being the deciding factor. I don't think I'd want to back him without nrnb yet, but I suppose 14/1 nrnb isn't a bad price. If he wins at Newbury, he'll be shorter, whereas if he doesn't he'll probably run in the Ryanair and your stake will be returned.

When is PW due to stick up the GC tip or have I missed it, don't follow him....got to be a strong possibility it will be AF though.....I'll have to back AF before he's due to stick one up because I think he's a good chance to relish the trip after the last time and with the very real chance that he's got more improvement in him after the setback.

I just think he is a stayer, Kempton is not his course and already has festival form in the book, what's not to like? I have taken the risk, as have taken the view that gold is the right and only race for him at this stage in his career, big chance this years race could cut up quite a bit.

I agree,if he runs as those of us think/hope he will next time upped in trip he'll be clear 3rd fav....if not, then it's dough done, there's only a couple of realistic winners at the moment plus him....16's is more than fair with the staying question still to answer.

I am not a fan of Al Ferof. I was put off him the day he was beat in Victor Chandler.

What piece of chase form does anyone think entitles him to have a chance in the gold cup?

His paddy power win, his 3rd at kempton in the kg on a course that obviously does not suit. Imperial commander was a prime example of a horse that ran at a track that did not suit and win the CGC, he was also a Cheltenham specialist!

Do not rate his PP win highly at all.
The ground was desperate, and the beaten horses who completed have had 1 chase success between them in over 14 months.

Beaten a never threatening 15L in the George. Where is this "course doesn't suit" coming from too. After his PP win last season the George was supposed to be his next target, his target this season was again the George. Why target a race ran on a track that doesn't "suit"?

Agree he will be favoured more at Cheltenham, but has a stone to find in my book.

you've got the price to take the chance IMO.

If they all turn up, I can only see Bobs Worth, Silviniano Conti, Cue Card and Rocky Creek as having realistic chances.

Paul Jones has advised Al Ferof  this week

^^^^^^^ I wonder where he heard that tipped?

Meaning?

Lovely fella an all, but only follows other peoples opinions.

We used to go round a friends house and chat pre Cheltenham stuff, jonesy used to come round, listen, then advise his followers on horses we spoke about. Well to be honest they were not my selections but an old mate of mine whose opinion was respected. We had to stop talking when he came round so he didn't ruin the price for us.

Al Ferof will go for the GC his owner has won most of the top races. Pretty sure that P/W will also pick him. Good to see Vino Griego enterd

No Cape Tribulation does that mean all systems go for G Nat?

Mmm amazing revelation.

I take it thats meant for brandyontherocks, jasey?

Yes m8

Not trying to amaze jc. My days of amazing people are long gone. Unless of course you find watching a man do a 1000 piece jigsaw in 3 sittings amazing!!!!

Just saying, because Paul jones has tipped him wouldn't get me running to the bookies to follow him.

Al ferof tipped up in the weekender this morning.

His ante post service does well so he must be doing something right.

I would rather throw a few pounds on Dynaste at 33-1 nrnb.

Forget his last appearance in the George, that was all wrong.

On his Betfair run it throws him right in the mix. He has got a niggle, so if he does not turn up there is the nrnb insurance. But if Pipe can get him sorted he will be a 1/3 of his current price.

Yep,must have been wrong on Boxing Day, was too bad to be true.
Agree,hes value e/w at that price nrnb. And will certainly be a lot shorter on the day as you say.
Bobsworth forgiven a bad run and rightly so, no reason why it should not be the same for Dynaste.

As for Al Ferof, hes a much better horse at Cheltenham and all his best performances have been left handed,mostly at Cheltenham. Big run at Newbury and hes bang in the picture.

As you say Brandy about Alf, i do not rate Dynaste at all! He's grade 2 at best imo! Was flattered in the betfair by a unfit conti, just not for me! He reminds me too much of another grey the pipes had not so many moons ago that name escapes my mind.

You fibber STS.....you know very well it was Gran Crumbler!

Do you not rate Cue Card then STS?

How is that relevant between horses? Yes i rate CC pretty highly in fact! But i was wrong when a few months saying that horses can be run unfit in races at the top level. Obviously to me now that they can be.

Dynaste reminds me too much of Grand Crus. And the falmouth as a prep to better things has once again flattered to deceive!

Depends how you judge him.
On the Haydock run where he showed much improvement, or the Kempton run where he was found to be wrong.
Be fair to judge him on a race which showed his capabilities imo.

sts...falmouth?

Stan James selling beer to him lol

Well feltham/falmouth whats the difference

Its quite relevant when you say he was flattered to get so close to an unfit Conti, but was only 4L adrift of Cue Card in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase. His first run out of Novice company.

If im proved wrong, i be quite happy to be and wont shy away, but he aint in my top 10 and certainly not going into my antepost book or day of race betting unless the race seriously cut up and i could still get 9 or 10/1 3 places just to cover all basis

In all probability its unlikely he can beat Bobs, Conti or Cue Card. But he still could have a few pounds improvement in him and a 33/1 nrnb he is good value in this market.

It could be a single figure field this year and then he could squeak a place if one of the top ones misfires for what ever reason.

I think Bobs Worth looked really good in Ireland. He showed pace to win off the slow fractions that were set that day and is the most likely winner, but his price has gone now.

Conti was very impressive in the George and is the worthy second favourite, but there is still something that wants me to oppose him at Cheltenham.

I love Cue Card and still think he has a massive chance in the Gold Cup but his price will be the same on the day as it is now, so i will wait and see what the going is like.


Dynaste will not beat these if they are all on song but at 33/1 he is a free bet if lining up.

Wasn't Katenko thought of on this forum rather highly for last years renewal before being pulled out with colic?

He was as a lively outsider. Not done anything this year to excite though.

Nobody else fancy Rocky Creek? Only modest improvement required from Newbury and is young enough to make a lot.

compared to the previous years hennessy it looked pretty  average this year imo

He's got improvement in him of course but I think it's a little more than only modest improvement needed.... at this stage anyway.

I think he is a nice horse Sage. Agree with Duffy he has more than a modest amount of improvement to get involved though. 10lbs at least but he should be improving. 

Anything said why he was so disappointing at Aintree at the back end of last season?

I agree his run at Newbury was 10lb behind Bobs Worth last season but he looked a backward sort last year and is entitled to improve from Newbury by as much as Silviniano did after his first run of the year. He is due to have a prep race I believe.

Al Ferof is Priewie then

Pricewise wouldn't exactly fulfil me with confidence to be honest....

To be fair to him he has only put one horse up and you have backed it yourself NRNB. You have put 7 up for the race and we still ahve 2 months to go.

To be fair, for me it's all about profit and having a 40-1 shot running at 4-1 just now means that it is nigh on impossible for me to lose on the race. It's called trading.

You bit quickly there Bally. Seriously though its a graet bet that you have on Silvi. I just get tired of people knocking Segal who I think dioes a great job considering he has to pick in those races at those times.

Hes not a bad guy Segal but all this "Sir" Tom stuff is nauseauting

Bally

Don't let it bother you mate, if Conti wins the GC, perhaps we could in future refer to you as Lord Doyle perhaps?

Nice to see Cue card price for Ryannair go right up on here.
Looks like they have decided Gold Cup, as we thought.

Argento Chase this Saturday and Hennessy 1-2-3 are in the 5 day decs.  I think Triolo and Rocky Creek have more to offer and would give supporters some hope if they won on Saturday.  However, Triolo is also entered in the 3m Novice Hurdle at Doncaster.  I can't believe that NJH will run Triolo here and potentially stuff his handicap mark so close to the Grand National weights as he has been clearly stating all season that the National was the target. Unless however, he feels he has a genuine Gold Cup horse.  If Triolo turns up Saturday in the Argento I will have a few quid on him before the race for the Gold Cup and Lay part of my National bet.  Think he's more likely to go to Donny though.

I think his mark has been blew for the National.

I'd normally agree Jasey, but with Tidal Bay and Long Run going for the Grand National then he may still get in with 11st.  Any more makes it very difficult.  Just a thought.

4get Long Run GN might kill him but i believe Phil Smith can give Tidal a lower mark to race off only race this can happen making Tidal well in maybe off 160.

I'm not saying I fancy Long Run, just saying him and Tidal Bay will Keep the weights down.  Tidal Bay now 168 got put up 5lb for Welsh national so can't see Smith dropping him that much or will look stupid.

It happened last year m8 tidal rated 170 and was allocated 162 by phil smith

All will be revealed shortly.

What's McCoy likely to ride in the GC? Anyone know?

I would be surprised if Al Ferof was to run in the Gold Cup now after today's run.

Nicholls stated as a novice chaser that the horse dislikes soft ground yet was willing to run him on today's going!!
He looked exhausted today, hope it hasn't bottomed him out.
I suppose Ryanair would be the favoured race for him, but I'm still of the opinion he is paceless.

He'll improve for better ground, but that can't have done his chances any good today. I'm starting to think his form is a tad questionable. His chasing reputation seems to be almost solely based on his Paddy Power win, which looked very impressive at the time. Nothing else he's done has been quite to that level.

I like this horse but you can't keep using ground as an excuse,he has won on heavy and soft.
I thought he may get beat today without the jockey throwing the kitchen sink at him.Beaten 25 lengths is 2 wide a margin for a serious gold cup player

Will be extremely surprised if he turns up at Cheltenham at all now out

....and the winner?

Okay, ground dependant but God he's a trier and a grinder too, just like Synchronised (another horse who 'couldn't jump' either!)

I think the opposition is MUCH classier than the year Synchronised won

Agree Roger Harry Topper reminds me of Synchronised.Winning Charlie hall and Denman chase is impressive

Long Range forecasts states the same weather for much of February with some improvement in early March but only inbetween showery spells.  Dont think the ground will improve too much and will be at best the softer side if not soft all round.  This means I feel Harry Topper has a very decent each way chance and at the odds is too good to ignore.  If they go a decent pace this horse will try and try and will be staying on when others are crying enough......will he win...mmmm... but is a must for a place. After they jump the last and he is there, no doubts he will outstay anything in that field with the ground on the soft side as nothing will kick away.

the giant bolster beat him pretty easily on heavy ground at the last cheltenham meeting

getting 10lbs yeah

....over shorter trip

WOW

double WOW

nice to see old tidal bay run on into second

I thought they didn't come back? Unlikely Last Instalment will get his ground for the Gold Cup but he doesn't look to have lost much if any of the ability he was showing 2 years ago

Best jumping I've seen since an on song flemenstar.

the ground will be perfect for him if the rain ever stops

I have him at 50/1. That was as good as Boston Bob's performance, at Christmas.

That was a serious performance today beating First Lieutenant that far.
Big player for sure in the Gold Cup, and absolutely great to see a horse come back, especially one that had the world at his feet and looked like it was gonna be taken away from him.
Comes back and wins a Grade 1,brilliant stuff!!
Now lets hope he has the ground to his liking come March, and he can stay sound.

Again, like Vautour I'm surprised he's not a lot closer to SC in the betting after that, in fact personally I'd only have BW in front of him at the moment.. shocked he's still double figures to be honest...we can see now that he retains all his ability, he won it easily and wasn't stopping, he jumped brilliantly and beat FL better than BW did over xmas, he's probably got more improvement in him than the others ...he's won on good ground too so I wouldn't be saying he has to have it soft by any means.

Great performance. I've lumped on at 14/1 with Ladbrokes NRNB

Before today I believed the GC was BWs to lose but if LI stays sound he will be the one to beat and agree he should be 2nd favourite. A class animal.

Everything IMO depends on the ground.  If this weekends ground turned up in March then I believe LI and Harry Topper would be serious horses.  However on G/S or good, I'll be amazed if Flight Lieutenant or Al Ferof don't turn it round, whether that is good enough to win it is another question.  I don't buy into the theory that FL and AF don't stay, just not as good on Heavy. FL has been beat 3 times by Bobs Worth but not by far and on favoured good ground has definite place claims. Al Ferofs form around Cheltenham is basically very good also.

I really got stuck in to Last Instalment in the year he didn't make the RSA.  I then backed him the next year for the Gold Cup at 50's and again he didn't make it.  This year I didn't back him after what happened to Weapons Amnesty on his comeback, but I'm glad Last Instalment hasn't gone down the same route.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit annoyed when he won the other day, because I'd let him go unbacked, but I've now backed him at 10's NRNB.  He was mightily impressive, and would be an epic training performance if Fenton could get him to win a Gold Cup, and I'd like to see a small trainer win it.

It's looking like a very interesting Gold Cup now, with Bobs, Conti, Cue Card and Last Instalment all having relatively few miles on the clock, and look a really good crop.  Here's hoping they all make it in one piece, because imo this is shaping up to be a great renewal.

The Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
Class 1, Grade 1, £550,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, Friday, March 14, 2014.
Three miles, two and a half furlongs. For 5yo+ which are allotted a rating of 130 or more
by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after
taking account of races run up to and including March 7 - horses which are not qualified
for a rating in GB, IRE or FR may also be entered & such horses may be eligible
providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to
and including March 7 would merit a minimum rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA
Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 5yo 11st 8lb, 6yo+ 11st 10lb. Allowances:
mares 7lb. Entries closed January 7, entries revealed January 8 (36 entries), scratchings
deadline February 11 (26 remain), £27,500 supplementary entry stage & six-day
confirmation stage March 8. Final 48-hour declaration stage, 10.00am, March 12. Form
figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of
Monday, February 10.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
21/11-61 BOBS WORTH (IRE) 9 The Not Afraid Partnership Nicky Henderson
3/F1115- BOG WARRIOR (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE
2/11FF-16 BOSTON BOB (IRE) 9 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
12264-31 CAPTAIN CHRIS (IRE) 10 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
103-101 CLOUDY TOO (IRE) 8 Formulated Polymer Products Ltd Sue Smith
112-312 CUE CARD 8 Jean Bishop Colin Tizzard
1121-25 DYNASTE (FR) 8 John White David Pipe
213-3423 FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
11UB-1331 HARRY TOPPER 7 D J Keyte Kim Bailey
204-1614 HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) 7 Mrs Julian Blackwell Venetia Williams
0211-F443 KATENKO (FR) 8 Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams
UP-51251 KNOCKARA BEAU (IRE) 11 Alistair Charlton George Charlton
3P1111/-31 LAST INSTALMENT (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Philip Fenton IRE
132-54U LONG RUN (FR) 9 Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
1231-006 LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 8 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE
2F423-55 LYREEN LEGEND (IRE) 7 Lyreen Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
132234/- MEDERMIT (FR) 10 The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership Alan King
4141-U4 MOUNT BENBULBEN (IRE) 9 Barry Connell Gordon Elliott IRE
21113-22 ROCKY CREEK (IRE) 8 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls
1-F21P20 ROI DU MEE (FR) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
11F3-31 SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 8 Potensis Limited & Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
06203-0 TEAFORTHREE (IRE) 10 Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman Rebecca Curtis
240-0U51 THE GIANT BOLSTER 9 Simon Hunt David Bridgwater
301-131 TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) 7 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr Nicky Henderson
114-3103 UNIONISTE (FR) 6 John Hales Paul Nicholls
125-UF1PP VINO GRIEGO (FR) 9 Chris Stedman Gary Moore

26 entries remain after February 11 scratchings deadline
8 Irish-trained

26 left in the Gold Cup How many will run on the day do you think?

9 or 10 would be my guess

Philip Fenton, trainer of leading Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Last Instalment, is scheduled to appear at a County Tipperary court on Thursday charged with the possession of banned substances.

The Department of Agriculture brought the case following an inspection of Fenton's yard in January 2012.

A statement said: "The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirms that a hearing is scheduled for Carrick-on-Suir District Court on Thursday, February 20. Charges are being brought under the Animal Remedies legislation, alleging offences relating to possession of animal remedies."

It went on: "A person who commits one of the offences listed above is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 5,000 euro or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both."

The Courts Service confirmed in a summons notice that Fenton, of Garryduff, South Lodge, Carrick-on-Suir, has been served with a series of charges in relation to animal remedies. The case has been mentioned twice at the District Court and is due to be heard again on Thursday.

Fenton has been famed for his handling of not only Last Instalment but also former Champion Bumper hero Dunguib, who has been plagued by injury and won at Navan on Sunday, almost three years to the day of his last success.

Denis Egan, chief executive of the Turf Club, confirmed the body is aware of the hearing.

He said: "We are aware there is a case coming up and we will be there to see what happens. Once the case has concluded, we will take any appropriate action.

"We don't know any specific details at this stage."

Fenton was not available for comment.

They're going to have to spell out exactly what "animal remedies" are!

will the yard be closed down and what about his Cheltenham intended runners ?

I'm surprised LI isn't a big drifter on here, obviously with not much info yet, it's pure speculation but his horses are now going to have a pretty big stigma attached to them at the very least...shame that we must now view that LI run in a different light....my guess is it won't be running now.

Surely though if the substances were found over 2 years ago, he wouldn't still be using them now (assuming he ever did use them, innocent until proven guilty and all that). The Irish authorities would surely look more than a bit daft if there was a doping scandal continuing all that time after finding them. So maybe there's a bit more to it than meets the eye?

sounds like a case that has been reopened as things have come to light.

an interesting report on trends and dosage index for the Gold Cup from Ben Aitken at Narrowing The Field

http://bit.ly/1cDOGRp

Ben seems pretty keen on BOBS WORTH then !

just had to ale the 50s on mount benbulben

After getting smashed to bits yesterday

I'm sure many of you saw Mullins schooling his horses after racing yesterday and all attention was on Ballycasey falling.   Did you see who was schooling with Ballycasey over fences.       BOSTON BOB.  33/1  NRNB for The Gold Cup. Is he the forgotten horse? Remember he was going clear when he fell at the last in last seasons RSA.   Willie Mullins has kept very quiet about this one after saying he would be staying over hurdles this season.

...or he's kept quiet about him after saying he would be staying over hurdles this season since he ran an absolute stinker in the Cleeve.