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Cheltenham Festival
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These 107 comments are related to the topic:
Don Poli
Don Poli
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Replies: 107
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I agree, apart from age and weight DP is too promising a horse to be aimed at the GN now. But if it was owned by one of WPM "elite" owners WPM would have DP earmarked for next month's GN for sure.
There is money to be made if one chooses to on the Exchange - there are still willing backers of DP for the GN - unless of course the O'Learys' do a WPM/RR later on! |
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Absolute garbage timters - he was never pushed along at any stage prior to being in an impossible position - you patently cannot read a race.
Jasers - statistically you are correct - but my point is they never tried to play to his strengths - reverse the rides/tactics and DC could never have won the race. He was a non trier without doubt - the intrigue is why - and one has to admire their chutzpah in doing it in the Cheltenham GC.. |
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Factual note - he drifted 4.6 to 6.2 in the 6 mins before the race.
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Don Poli (DP) drifted to about 12 here in running but I backed him at 5.8 when he made ground towards the leaders Smad Place (SP) and O'Faolains Boy (OB) coming to the 14 fence. Soon after, the pace quickened and by the 15 fence DP dropped back again. DP then ran on passing the two front runners ie OB and SP coming to the 2nd last fence. Between the 2nd last fence and winning post DP made no further ground on Djackadam or Don Cossack. It was evidently clear DP was outpaced and was running past tired front runners to secure 3rd place, his best position.
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Whatever peoples opinions anybody who has Racinguk should go back and watch the ride McCoy gave Synchronised in the Gold Cup and compare it to the inaction of Russell. He never moved a muscle. What was he expecting to happen?
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The only excuse davy might have is maybe he thought the race might have went the same way as it did when Lord Windermere came past everything,the only thing us this was a much better race,to me the race was lost after a furlong!
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The horse never stood a chance of the tactics for me, could not understand why he was held up and then why Davy was never really bothered to actually try and keep him closer to the pace, numerous times Cooper had to shake up Don Poli in the RSA to keep him with the pace (wake him up as many believe) but Davy seemed happy to stay on the bridle a mile off the gallop.
Maybe that's as good as he is and I am in no way saying he'd have won under different tactics but who here thought going into Friday's race he would be held up way off the pace near last? Even Poli's biggest fans I doubt would have been backing him had they that information to hand. |
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premier,
Dp ran as well as he possibly could in the GC; Davy rushed him up to be closer to the front 4 (sp here tumbled) but DP could only managed that for just 1 fence, and immediately dropped back until reaching the 2nd last fence. But DP never made further ground on Don Cossack and Djakadam after jumping the 2nd last and the winning post ie 3rd was his best position. His previous races at Cheltenham were against much weaker oppositions none of which (I believe) had won a decent race since. |
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Davy didn't rush him,didn't give the lazy horse a reminder or 2 to be closer to the pace,I haven't a clue what you've been watching!
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Ive watched the race back a few times, and I think there is some pocket talking going on in this thread to suggest he wasnt trying! In fact, its just plain daft to suggest that. Anyone suggesting that a jockey with as few chances in the big races as DR gets these days, wouldnt want to win, must be on a wind up. Think he gave him an OK ride. I can see why some would have liked him closer to the pace, but he wasnt that far back. He certainly wasnt sat tight.... he was nudging and cajoling from a fair way out. But once he'd slipped 5 or 6 lengths behind the main back, he just couldnt seem to close the gap. And I guess he felt he didnt want to use all of his energy up early in closing that gap.
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I did have to laugh at this comment from noctural
The darkest day for NH ever seen,fact.  |
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He was more than 5 or 6 length back though ccm,more like 10 and no need to be that far back,it doesn't matter now anyway and davy is one of the best jockeys round Cheltenham,personally thought he could have made more of an effort that's all,pocket talking I had £75 on,I had a lot more on dc.
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Watch the video again please.
Coming to the 14th fence DP was rushed up/made progress and at his closest to the chasing pack (sp here dropped from 12 to 5.8). However, after jumping this fence the leading pack quickened and DP dropped further back by the time they reached the 15th fence - it was clear DP could not maintain/adapt to the new faster pace. And the rest is history! |
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The point is he should have been closer in the first 6 furlongs,watch the full race instead of the closing stages,no effort was made whatsoever and he lost the race then,Don poli might not have won anyway but it would have been an even better race had he been given the chance to do so.
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He's ran to form hasn't he?
14.5 lengths behind a horse rated 10lbs greater than him going into the race. Don Cossack has his ground too, so at the weights he's ran to form behind Don Cossack, and had good horses like Smad Place and Carlingford Lough well behind. |
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I'm sorry I watched the race like a hawk at the off, and several times after in-full in anticipation of a bet in the Grand National. By the way, I believe the 14th fence is about 8 fences from home. Don Poli (DP) ran to form but was outpaced because of the ground. I believe if Davy had asked DP to go with the pace earlier on DP might have finished very tired instead of passing tired runners by the 2nd last fence. I might back DP against Cue Card at Aintree (and others) at Punchestown if the ground is very soft.
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Blimey never heard so much pocket talkign twaddle from DP backers.
I backed the horse for months prior to the race as thought it was tailor made for him. The danger was always being outpaced and the ground went against him. On softer ground his stamina and jumping would have come into play more. However, on very good ground he simply was no match for the pace of DC, CC and Djak. Simple as that. I had a perfect view in the stand and DR rode him well. Would be all over him for the GN where he to run. |
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A heist of Hatton Gardens proportions.
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I had a perfect view in the stand and DR rode him well.
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Not the first time Davy has ridden a horse like that in the Gold Cup. Jim Culloty said he was thinking of sacking Davy at halfway two years ago, but then he won so he decided to let him off. Last year he didn't win, so he did sack him.
If nothing else, at least he stayed out of DC's way. So did RTR and VL come to think of it. |
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The best racehorse that has ever lived found a way to tweet this:
Clear evidence of @_Davy_Russel_ dropping his hands on Lord Windermere when in contention last yr #wheretheresblame https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdJN-VUWwAADl0R.jpg https://twitter.com/realfaugheen/status/707713841677864960 |
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I Plod On is an apt anagram of Don Poli
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Can't Catch Me 22 Mar 16 11:27
Ive watched the race back a few times, and I think there is some pocket talking going on in this thread to suggest he wasnt trying! In fact, its just plain daft to suggest that. Anyone suggesting that a jockey with as few chances in the big races as DR gets these days, wouldnt want to win, must be on a wind up. Think he gave him an OK ride. I can see why some would have liked him closer to the pace, but he wasnt that far back. He certainly wasnt sat tight.... he was nudging and cajoling from a fair way out. But once he'd slipped 5 or 6 lengths behind the main back, he just couldnt seem to close the gap. And I guess he felt he didnt want to use all of his energy up early in closing that gap. "Closer to the pace" Dear oh dear.......now that did me laugh  ,another apologist post. |
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No, you're right noc. It was the darkest day ever seen in National Hunt Racing.
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Stand by that comment.
It is an opinion,you are very much entitled to yours,which I respect fully. Time to move on. GL |
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Time to move on indeed,...it is only a game after all!
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Indeed. The game is afoot again. Onwards to next year and another puzzle.
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I Plod On is an apt anagram of Don Poli
Well played Sir. |