Yep, well it's all about opinions, I'm probably miles off and as I say I've never been a fan of his and certainly never backed it before in my life and still haven't, but as a side note I kind of like it when occasionally I begin to entertain the chances of horses I previously have had my mind completely shut off to, that' been a problem a bit in the past for me certainly, the " no, that's not one of my horses" full stop syndrome,this phenomenon is starting to happen with regards Captain Conan too.

With regards CC, I'm beginning to get in my head the reason he didn't get home over 20f at cheltenham was because (and admittedly I keep reading this) he was a weak horse last term but has had a really good summer and strengthened up immeasureably, if there is any truth to that, (and at least he did win over 20f a couple of times, although on one of those occasions he did it whilst walking up the run in at sandown) then I'm on his side, incidentally, with the benefit of hindsight he may well have won that arkle mightn't he?

The result definitely wasn't what I was hoping for but I think he deserves another chance. If next time he runs on better ground with a quicker pace and disappoints again then I'm afraid that's games up.

I don't think you can be put off by his last run. People may be underestimating the form of the Henry VIII. I wouldn't be surprised to see either of the first two from Sandown winning the Arkle. Grandouet has had far fewer chase runs than Hinterland, and, despite being beaten by him twice, I'd fancy him to improve past the Nicholls horse. He seems quite a good price for the Arkle at present.

I've suddenly become interested in this horse for the Arkle having gone right off him for the Arkle after his debut. Clearly, my Taquin Dy Seiul punt has gone awol now, so that is one reason, but some very shrewd punter brought it to my attention that Grandouet has not had an uninterrupted seasons with injuries since his Triump hurdle year. At the age of 6, going on 7, he should now be in his physical prime and needs 3 or 4 consecutive runs for conditioning purposes. 12/1 might look a big price given his hurdles form and class.

Shouldn't his hurdles class and form get him beating Hinterland??
I know a few, inc me, have pretty much underestimated Hinterland,but I would really expect Grandouet to have beaten him lto.
Theirs just something about this horse that tells me he aint trustworthy, and imo there are more reliable ones for the Arkle at prices similar or bigger.

Valdez pulled out 2day so basically a 2 horse race. If he doesn't win 2day then it's game over as far as the Arkle is concerned.

I'll show my ar$e if Grandouet wins the Arkle

Yep, I'm gutted with that in all honesty, I  couldn't have got him much more wrong if I tried...and boy did I try!...back to the drawing board.

Be interesting 2 here what BG has 2 say about it. Ground was pretty soft and he was keen having 2 make his own running. Sprinter Sacre and Simonsig had 2 do it the hard way for the last 2 years and done it easily and judged on that performance 2day he's nowhere close to either of those. He has had 3 pretty quick runs which I don't think he has had before and 2 of those were on ground he would've hated. Wonder were they'll go next with him?

am I the only 1 on here that still fancies him for the Arkle? fast pace and good ground will suit him. hates soft ground (don't know why Henderson ran him at Kempton) so his 2 disappointing runs are easily forgiven. what do you guys/gals think?

i think his jumping has been pretty good. I just think the make up of the Arkle will play into his hands with a fast pace and plenty of runners to help him settle.

Completely agree with Duffy. I fancied him before Kempton, but, even allowing for conditions not being right for him, he had to perform better than that. He doesn't have the bottle for an Arkle.

Down to run this Saturday. If it's soft ground hope Henderson pulls him out!