QUEL ESPRIT

I see where you're coming from but the Gold Cup may come a year too soon for this fella. Willie has said that he's going to gently ease him up in grade this season so he'll probably go for a grade 3 next and then after that, he may chance a Grade 2 in mid-late January. I could see him maybe running in the Punchestown ****ss Gold Cup at the end of the season and maybe being a Gold Cup conteder then next year.

As much as I like this horse and respect him a lot, I dont see how he ''meets a lot of criteria'' for a Gold Cup horse.

He has never won at Cheltenham.
Has never Won a Graded chase.
Has been pulled out of races because the going has been to quick.
His best efforts have come first time up after a long break.

Lots of punters are expecting great things from this horse, me included, but we need to seem more evidence first.

I was hoping they went for the Lexus with him. As i've said on other threads regarding him i don't think he is a poor jumper at all despite coming down a few times last year and being brought down at Punchestown, i actually think he is a good jumper. He still held every chance when coming down in last years RSA Chase and i believe he would of gone close. However that race so far has hardly worked out great and as COM stats the Gold Cup may come a year too early and as sintonian stated he may be better with cut in the ground, i do think he is a very high class horse however at trips from 2m 4f - 3m

Useful horse on his day for sure and should be still improving.Jumping has stopped him winning good races and being bought down dont help either!!
His jumping lto was good and if thats how he carries on now i can see him being a player in any top staying race at around 3m.

Horse has caused me much pain, true, he can jump and is really really good. they've let the handicap route go which could be telling

Interesting that quel esprit has only one win outside November and December and that was back in April 2009