Flemenstar V Cue Card at Aintree

Hendo on C4 just asked about it and sounds like he's leaning that way

SF - I certainly hope so but Henderson seems to enjoy leaving us in the dark...never mind the paddle, we haven't even got the canoe!

What price would Sprinter go off if he ran?

1/2?

I'd assume he'd be a bit shorter than that...if all three turned up, then probably around 2/7 perhaps?
I wouldn't be happy to lay Sprinter Sacre at anything over 1.2 but maybe I'm a coward.

Are you sure? He was only 1/4 for the champion chase over a trip he was proven at against only one serious rival who was arguably past his peak.

I think anything shorter than 1/2 would be a lay for sure.

I'm far from sure about the price but I'm relatively confident that Cue Card won't be up to challenging Sprinter Sacre, even over HIS optimal trip!
I was very disappointed by his fencing in The Ryanair, though winning that so comfortably emphasises the size of his engine.

Conversely, if Sprinter Sacre opts for Punchestown instead, then I wouldn't be surprised if Cue Card can beat Flemenstar though I do slightly favour the Irish horse, as he's a natural fencer with plenty of class.

The possibility of a faster surface may be troublesome, as well as the reservations his connections have stated about travelling - as a potential duel (without SS) it's a sit back & enjoy race for me.

I'll be surprised if the monster runs at Aintree, especially if the ground dries out. Mildmay is a very sharp track which has facked up many a good horse. Punchestown much more up his alley and despite his record at Cheltenham, I think SS is better going right handed.

FF - I don't think the track matters at all to a class act like Sprinter Sacre

Hey Duffy - thank, appreciate that. But you can't be courteous, civil, rational etc on this forum, I think it's against the rules. Hope they don't chuck you off:)

Would be very interesting to see what the betting was like if all 3 turned out. FS has always looked like he'll be best ridden aggressively over 2.5. Cue Card will take him on round there, no need to hold anything back. That will all help SS settle a bit, but I don't think it's any certainty he'll get the trip. He did only beat Cue Card 7l in the Arkle, and Cue Card is much better over 2.5. SS has probably improved as he's learned to settle.

Don't think FS will be frightened off by SS, they were keen enough to take him on in the QM at one point, and he would have far more chance over 2.5.

Some race anyway if they do all show. Most of us who watched Cue Card storm up the hill 9 lengths clear wouldn't have seen much chance of him starting 3rd favourite at Aintree, but that looks a real possibility.

Exciting too that they are going to experiment with trip for Sprinter. Because if he does run away with this and finish full of running, surely they have to try 3m and think about the gold cup??

A massive race in prospect, CC will lead and flem and SS will stalk, with the prospect of facing CC and and more importantly flem (for my money) over this trip, I'd be surprised if SS was any shorter than 1/2

Barry - I wouldn't think the Gold Cup would be on the agenda, but I got laughed at for saying before the Tingle Creek that IF he bolted up at Aintree and was storming away at the line, then the King George could be something to think about.

Too many people listen to what trainers have to say (and who intentionally put us away, none more so than Nick Benderson) and comments like he's an out & out 2M chaser don't seem to factor in TIME, and how a horse matures & develops.

I would be absolutely shell-shocked if Sprinter Sacre DOESN'T get 20f, and I really hope we get the chance to find out, as I'm convinced he can't be beaten for stamina - it's as clear cut for me as the 10f question about Frankel some time ago.

Surely the prices would be something like

Sprinter Sacre 4/9
Cure Card 7/2
Flemenstar 4/1
16's bar

I'll go;

Sprinter Sacre 2/7
Flemenstar     9/2
Cue Card      11/2

Mr.E - as that's an 111% book I've formed, so maybe Sprinter Sacre will be around 4/11, and Cue Card could be nearer double YOUR price somewhere.
I'm sure it's an appealing thought to his supporters, though it wouldn't tempt me.

It's all about opinions, and hopefully we'll find out this time next week when the bookies price it up.

You can throw Menorah into the mix aswell

I think i'd want to see Flemenstar in the prelims before betting him tbh.

Get the feeling Cue Card is not getting the credit he deserves for his last two wins, and I regret deserting him in the Ryanair.

I think the only question for him is, what does he have left in the tank at the end of a long season? I think he is a better horse than Flemenstar.

Menorah cannot jump fences and would be a 25/1 shot.

I'd take that each way.
Race could be an afterthought for sprinter sacre, cc could be over the top for the season, 3rd grade 1 in 6 weeks, Fleminsforth still has it to prove this side of the water, albertas run is past his best, captain Chris back in trip? Riverside and Finians have gone, is rubi light coming over?

8 horses or more and menorah ew is the play.

Are you sure? He was only 1/4 for the champion chase over a trip he was proven at against only one serious rival who was arguably past his peak. I think anything shorter than 1/2 would be a lay for sure

I would certainly back SS for a 'good few bob' at 1/2.

I know it would be fascinating seeing SS stepped up in trip for this race, but in some ways I kind of hope he doesn't run because I'd like to see it left for the other two to have their shoot out, again I'm probably reading it completely wrong,for me it would be flemenstar...comfortably, can't wait to see his jumping at liverpool, best jumper of a fence in training.

From weekend chat,it seems that Cue Card will miss out on Aintree to avoid Sprinter.It could be that Cue Card will divert to Punchestown. Shame, because it would have been race of the season. Flemenstar? Can't see that getting near the big two.

Sigh, getting worse than flat racing.

PP opened a book.
1-3 SS
Flemenstar 4-1
Cue card 7-1
20s bar

Had to have a nifty on CC at 7s
GL all who play

CC definitely looks the stand out price as I'm not entirely convinced SS will turn up

I heard a rumour that when the tizzards take CC to the race track, they first check to see whether they are likely to bump into SS's horse box on the way

I sincerely hope SS dodges this to go to Punchestown. A Flem v Cue Card showdown would be fascinating. They say you should never be frightened of one horse but I suspect Colin Tizzard feels that the monster will break Cue Card's heart.

In fairness to the Tizzards, at least they have raced against SS. Other connections have ducked him.  CC is still young and has many years ahead of him. He's won 3 races this season so no point in have a dust-up with Sacre now,imo.

I actually wrote to the Tizzards suggesting they run in the Bowl

it's the ideal chance to find out if he is going to stay 3 miles plus and he would be facing inferior animals like Hunt Ball et all who are a re at least a stone lower rated

the advantage is that CC is at peak fitness NOW which means you would have a definitive answer. If he didn't stay then you could plan ahead... and equally if he did

The Melling teaches us nothing for the future

fwiw I have CC well clear of Flemenstar as he was of Flight Lieutenant and if it's CC vs Flem without SS then CC would be a confident selection

"I actually wrote to the Tizzards suggesting they run in the Bowl"

Ha ha. Well good.

You posted something on here the other day about Cue Card, it made so much sense that I nearly pm'd you to tell you to email it to the Tizzards.

Hope you congratulated Joe on the great job he did at Chelts

was a steering job Sue!! LOL any half decent jock would have won on it! Point it in the right direction and don't fall off hahahaha

seriously though, having won 3 decent races this season why would they need to go through a confrontation with that Monster, especially when you could learn something useful for the future

The Bowl will be a relatively weak race as he would only be facing the likes of Hunt Ball and cape Tribulation who are not in his league. makes sense all around

The tizzards would be mad not to run him against SS over 2.4, they've got a bet to nothing for heavens sake,they avoided him at the festival and won the ryanir, job done, anything else from now on in is a bonus, if they get beat...so what!!! how does it hurt the horse? and over this distance where they know the track and trip will suit their horse

With SS, we don't know for sure..not for sureif he'll stay it, and he'll probably have to not only stay, but stay it well, they might just be able to give him a race, especially if they take the attitude that they've got a shot to nothing and gun their horse from the front and really put SS stamina to the test...that's the attitude they should have.....as it goes, I think flem would beat CC anyhow, but the principle is the same, in fact, the same points apply to flemenstar.

Flemenstar and Flight Lieutenant separated by less than a length in the Lexus

Cue Card beats FL NINE lengths in the Ryan Air, in a canter pretty much, yet somehow Flemenstar is going to beat Cue Card. Same argument made by all the mug FL backers in the Ryan Air. Flemenstar has won how many races outside Ireland exactly.

Sprinter Sacre will not only stay but likely improve for the longer trip. Did he look like he was stopping at Cheltenham ffs - he never came off he bridle and was hard held, could have gone round again. Horses with that much ability can do things that other horses can't and I would avoid him like the plague with Cue Card. no need to have an overly hard race trying to beat SS.

If connections are thinking about King George and Gold Cup next year (and hy wouldn't they) then the Bowl makes perfect sense. Compare that to running 3 miles first or second time up next season when the horse is not at peak condition. If he doesn't stay then would you be sure it was because he didn't see it out or was it because he wasn't fit

Running in the Bowl gives a definitive answer because you can eliminate fitness from the equation

Duffy,agree with everything except the last bit,ie Flemenstar to beat CC. The 7-1 offered by Paddies is an absolute insult;do they know it will not run?? Judo....I know you are desperate for CC to develop over further,but why bother running against inferior horses? If you have a horse of a lifetime,why not try to demolish the absolute best of what else is around? SS didn't have too much to beat at Cheltenham,perhaps(and a huge leap of faith required) Cue Card has progressed at a better rate than the beast. Seven lengths to find and legendary status beckons.......

ummm, if he got beat in the bowl you'd get plenty saying that the cheltenham race took more out of him than first thought...blah, blah, blah. As regards to flem and FL, I don't know how 3 miles in bad ground equates to the aintree race to be honest, at the 2.5 point of the lexus, flem was running all over them....if you want to talk about the lexus judo, how about , flem beat SDC and according to you, sdc was a whopper doodle double stakes nap for the gold cup, we haven't heard much abut that but by god, you've milked CC alright even to the point of descending to dsending the tizzards love letters..go on tell me to go feck myself

only joking!!

sounds like cc is going to run after all.

Ffs what a miss!

JR - your rating of Cue Card through First Lieutenant might be a bit misleading as the latter looks a thorough stayer, and he only side-stepped the Gold Cup so his owner could have a worthy opportunity in TWO grade one races.
Also, they probably harboured doubts such as 'how can we turn the form around with Bob's Worth?'

I'm sure he's better than the beating he got in the Ryanair and he'll prove that when back over 3M+.

I don't think Mr Tizzard is scared of Sprinter over this trip. I think he's wrong mind.
There is a big doubt over stamina though, of course there is. Last year it looked like SS was coming to the end of his tether at the end of the Arkle. He seems more settled this year though, and he does things so easily he could stay a lot further. He's bread to stay. Will be a great race if it happens anyway.

From a CC point of view, this is as good a chance as they are ever going to get to having any sort of chance of beating SS ever again, they'll never take him on over 2 miles and it won't be happening over further, so this chance should be taken because it gives them the chance to really elevate their horse into the stratosphere, relatively speaking, there is no downside, if he gets beat so what, they've lost nothing to their horses reputation and as for this foreboding about taking the horse on because he may inflict upon you such a beating that somehow rips the very soul and racing ability right out of your horse for the future....well, that's just melodramatic nonsense....CC and AF were both beaten in last years arkle and performance wise on the track it hasn't done them any harm, has it.

Barry - I've mentioned this numerous times on this forum...can you tell me ANY 2M Champion Chasers (or even those bang on the premises) that DON'T get 20f?
Sprinter Sacre is probably the best one I've seen in several decades and I don't believe he can be beaten for stamina over 20f at Aintree.

Someone retorted with Pearlyman (though not a bad answer) BUT he goes back 25 years!
In that period, the programme has been seriously altered to cater for 20f chasers and there's plenty of opportunity to step up and try in the highest grade at the intermediate distance nowadays, and ALL seem to do it comfortably.

Klairon Davis is a good example of the exception to the rule, though on careful inspection, is it CONCLUSIVE that he acquitted himself at full pelt on that rare occasion?
AND since then, as I say the programme has helped to accommodate 2M chasers stepping up in trip.

FWIW, I thought one of my favourites in Edredon Bleu had ZERO chance in the King George, yet I roared him home

Again, I've said numerous times that Sprinter Sacre WILL NOT be beaten for stamina, and that's a confident assertion that I've maintained since last year's Game Spirit at Newbury, and I don't give a shít who scoffs at that!

The point isn't wholly about whether he will want for stamina or not, it's about him being the top dog and by being that, people should be inspired to have a crack at him, that accepted, if you can get the chance to have a go at it when there are just a couple of things in your favour or a couple of unknowns, that there aren't over 2 miles, with the kudos that possible victory would bring, then battle has to be joined, there's everything to gain and very little to lose.

I'd say that flagship uberalles didn't stay 20f

Agreed Duffy, but I would totally understand the Tizzards cowarding out and going for The Bowl instead - I hope he doesn't (and tries to serve it up to Sprinter Scare instead) as he & Flemenstar are more than worthy opponents over a trip that COULD be out of the great one's comfort zone) but I think Judorick is correct in his view that there's not a better time to find out if Cue Card stays, and the bonus being he can avoid being 'mentally ransacked' just like Exotic Dancer was by Kauto Star.

Many racing aficionados are very confident there's a seriously good 'new kid on the block' in Sprinter Sacre, and I want to see him tested to the hilt, so I hope both worthy adversaries turn up against him - then we might have a more credible barometer to rate him by.

Duffy...re- Flagship Uberalles, you might have a point there but I have always forgiven a horse disappointing at Aintree after the exertions of THE Festival, and it should be remembered that he did have a couple of tries at 3M, so I expect if he was campaigned differently, he would have beaten the best at 20f.
Otherwise, why would such shrewd connections thought it was worth a try?

Nevertheless, a worthy potential challenger that goes in the 'possible' category.

Tbh I don't see how running over 3 miles at aintree is going to show them anything more than they learned at kempton 3 months ago,yes he made mistake at kempton, but he'll hit one at aintree too, I think that they are comfortable with that for the time being, I'd be laying him at any rate.

flagship couldn't get past ruddy potentate over 20f one time at chepstow, I've never forgiven him for that, although he did do me a favour when he became the first horse in living memory to win the champion chase without having jumped a single fence that was deckies, or in this case dickies finest hour

There were ONLY TEN fences over 21f for Cue Card in The Ryanair (RP website erroneously states 17) yet incredibly, Sprinter Scare negotiated THIRTEEN over 2M - Cue Card WILL suffer at Aintree if the big guns turn up - his jumping is just NOT up to it and I know that'll piss Judorick off something wicked!

I put up MY odds for the Aintree race BEFORE ANY bookie did, and I was happy to make Cue Card a 7/1 poke even after his impressive Ryanair victory.

I did likewise last year before the Prix Jacques (when there were NO offers anywhere, which can be accessed on here) and I was on the nose with virtually ALL the field - the only one I was 'a bit' out on was Excelebration as I thought up against NINE group one winners, he could have his work cut out after being seriously bummed by Frankel.

I had him at 4/1 though in my defence (even though he ended up 9/4) he did hit 10/3 at one stage - some after-timers who disagreed AFTER the event didn't have the balls to show their hand BEFORE the race!

PS - earlier in this thread you'll see I put my odds up BEFORE Paddy Power did and I'd say those odds were very much on the ball.

Nevertheless, I can't say I'm expecting a call from those c0cksucking fággots regarding a retainer

Last year it looked like SS was coming to the end of his tether at the end of the Arkle.

I must have been watching a different race

Navel-Gazer 27 Mar 13 01:36 
There were ONLY TEN fences over 21f for Cue Card in The Ryanair (RP website erroneously states 17) yet incredibly, Sprinter Scare negotiated THIRTEEN over 2M - Cue Card WILL suffer at Aintree if the big guns turn up - his jumping is just NOT up to it and I know that'll piss Judorick off something wicked!


God knows what this is all about navel, but it looks like your abacus may have run out of batteries!

Navel Gazer, a couple of bits of quick advice for you, first go here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYqYk-PHbsw and count the fences yourself, all 17 of them, then concentrate your mind on not typing with CAPS quite so often in the middle of your sentences.  It reads like you have Tourettes and keep suddenly shouting for no reason.

TLU - Sorry for shouting I thought it was emphasis!

Duffy - I have to apologise...what a tool I am!
On another thread, I mentioned the lack of fluency with Cue Card's jumping and foolishly, I watched the CH4 highlights programme, which saw the runners at the very start, then edited out the first seven fences (which I didn't notice) and the caption at the top read 10 fences to jump!

I thought it was rather strange and a big disparity
If anyone else has saved the CH4 show, they'll realise exactly why I was duped though I still feel like a gobshíte!

Lol, don't worry - the italics just below the posting box are much better for emphasis or even bold or underline on occasions.   The caps just make your posts really hard to read that's all.  I'm glad I went back and looked at the race though, I have to agree that CC didn't jump that well at all!  He must have some engine to still have won so well but can't help but think that the other 2 will jump him silly and he would as judo says be better in the Bowl.

To be fair, Cue Card wasn't as bad as I initially thought in The Ryanair, though as seems to be his norm, there's invariably a blunder or two in him.
I've had him earmarked as a suspect jumper for some time though I do have a vague recollection of an impressive round of jumping as a novice last season...maybe in his defeat to Bob's Worth at Newbury?

He seemingly had that horse cold before tying up and being nailed late on...and he carried a 7lb penalty.
Quite clearly he has an engine but I wouldn't be surprised to see a set of 'sideburns' on him one day.

PS - The Bowl is definitely the right option but I really want to see this clash in The Melling with Sprinter Sacre & Flemenstar.

CC guesses at the odd one for sure, and with flem and SS snapping at his heels, well, it can't help can it.

Interesting point Navel Gazer. I'd throw in Big Zeb. He did win an egg and spoon race over 2m5 as a novice, but that was his only win over further than 2m1f. Azertyuiop never won beyond 2m and did try several times. Well Chief didn't win a QM but was 2nd to a legend and better than the average winner, and he didn't get 2.5m. Then I'd probably have to go back to Pearlyman, and Badsworth Boy (having to trust my memory here, form doesn't go back that far).

Most do get it, especially at Aintree. The interesting thing though is that if you look at the list who probably didn't, they were exceptional winners. There is an argument that a truly outstanding 2 miles won't stay further. And also the visual evidence that Sprinter seemed to tire last year. But I'm not arguing that he won't stay, I think he will, now he's settling so much better. I'm just saying that you can never be certain, so taking long odds on when a horse steps up in trip may not be overly wise. History is littered with burnt fingers attached to people who assume a horse is certain to stay a trip he hasn't tried before. And if no more fingers get burned for that reason on Friday next week, I promise you they will on Saturday!

What's happened to Finian's Rainbow? Surely this race is perfect for him?

Surely 2m 4f at Aintree not a lot different from 2m at Cheltenham.

Barry - when Big Zeb was established after his novice season, he didn't even try a step up in trip which is surprising.
Well Chief had just the one shot at 20f after a fall at Cheltenham, though he was disappointing.
Azertyuiop didn't try (even though he won over 18f) yet on his CV, there's an excellent third to Kicking King in the King George.

I had the same debate a few years ago when Master Minded stepped up in trip and I was confident he'd do so with ease, though surprisingly, there were many dissenters.

To clarify, maybe the question I should be asking is who CONCLUSIVELY doesn't get the 20f trip.

It's a very interesting quandary and I've always believed if a Champion Chase contender is good enough to be bang on the premises off (usually) a solid pace, then they'll have the requisite blend of speed & stamina to get a longer trip off a slightly weaker pace.

Anyone got any thoughts about the sideburns for Cue Card?
He has a very awkward looking head-carriage.

I don't subscribe to the easier track, so we can forget about a full half mile, a furlong here or there maybe, not half mile, it'll take a full minute longer to run than the champion chase and because of the horses involved, it'll be a right good test over the distance.

Big Zeb ran 3 times over 2.5 m as a novice, being beaten the last twice. My guess is he wasn't tried again because they'd worked out he didn't stay. Azertyuiop didn't get home in the KG and again probably didn't try for a good reason.

I don't think you're ever going to get lots and lots of evidence a horse doesn't stay if it's a QM winner, because if it's that good at 2m why would you keep running it over further if it's even a slightly doubtful stayer?. There's more prestige at 2m anyway. You could flip it round though and say how long is the list of QM winners who conclusively proved as good at 2.5m?

The threat to SS is that they don't go fast enough for him, and he starts fighting his jockey. I don't think he will, but it's a risk - he almost certainly would have done a year ago. If he settles, he should be fine. I think he'll win, but he won't carry any of my money at 1-3.

I don't back at such odds so I'll be steering clear, and it's a sit & watch race to savour without a bet.

I really cannot see it being a crawl as that'll just play into Geraghty's hands as Sprinter Sacre will murder them for speed...as you suggest, he's far more tractable nowadays and that feint hope for the opposition (that he will bring about his own downfall) is a very unlikely scenario nowadays.

Besides, the challengers need to have a game-plan and that slight doubt about his stamina will ensure we'll get a solid gallop - I'd be astonished if they don't try their utmost to expose that possible chínk.

CC will have to be every bit as good as many think for him to prevail in this race, he'll lead and do all the donkey work, the other two will be right on his tail pressurizing his jumping with their superior jumping, in flemenstars case, far superior jumping.

if you aint staying 3m then whats the point in stepping up??
all the  most valuable races are at 2m(Queen Mum,Tingle Creek)plus good races in Ireland or 3m(KG) and the GC.
SS is a proper 2 miler,he aint winning Gold Cups,so leave him alone imo.

Just one other nugget to throw into this, quickest way of getting poor that I know of is backing Henderson horses when they are stepped up in trip.  Stats are not everything and every horse is different but stats do tell us that Henderson successfully trains for speed and often overestimates the stamina of his horses.  Just a thought that is worth considering.  Personally, I think this horse will probably stay but given CC's sketchy jumping and the relative prices I think Flem looks the value bet.

"Pressurising him with their superior jumpimg"...what you should be thinking about is how Cue Card will be pressurising them with his relentless speed. Most of Cue Card's wins are influenced by rivals' mistakes...Captain Chris,FL being obvious examples.A lot of horses are put out of their comfort zone by CC and I fully expect Flemenstar to succumb. SS could be a different story. Of more significance is Joe Tizzard's blog on the Wincanton website,where he says ducking Flem and SS is highly likely. Shame,but that's what it says.

For everything they say, their actions don't suggest they've got a whole lot of faith in him really.

I mean, he says in the blog, if SS and flem turn up they'd be mad not to opt for ireland, why???, you've got a good horse and you'd never get a better chance, (extremely hard still) but nevertheless, they'd never get a better chance to maybe beat SS, that's such a prize they shouldn't be turning it down, if he loses so what!!!

Ground is going to be an issue here. If it keeps drying out - as appears likely - it may be too quick for all 3 of them on the Mildmay. I'm pretty sure Hendo won't risk SS on 'good' on this very sharp track.

Cue Card not entered in Bowl so is definitely this race or wait for Punchestown...

Rumours doing the rounds that Sprinter may miss this and head to Punchestown instead. The Punchestown team are pulling out all the stops to get him apparently

This would make a lot of sense, assuming SS only has one more run this season. Punchestown is a much more suitable track and there is unlikely to be any fears about the ground being too quick. To my mind, he appears marginally more comfortable going right handed.

They are watering, the ground is never any quicker than good jumping ground these days.
Flemenstar will go on the Punchestown if he runs Ok here, and it's not out of the question that SS might too, so ducking them pretty pointless imho. 2.5 on good round Aintree should be perfect for Cue Card, let's see how good he is.

just did my ratings for the race this morning

Sprinter Sacre 20lb clear! never had that before, well not since Valiramix in the 2002 Champion Hurdle

another steering job, will waltz past on the bridle I'm sure - minimum 10 lengths victory I think

CC for the forecast I think

I think Finian's Rainbow will be my bet to place

FL advertises CC form,Tizzards knock in two decent winners this week,yet SS over twenty times shorter in the betting.And that is over a trip that could be problematic. Madness.

I love CC but can't get away from FR's price. I'm willing to trust that his runs this season were down to the ground. Think he's a fantastic e/w or place bet.

just did my ratings for the race this morning

Sprinter Sacre 20lb clear! never had that before, well not since Valiramix  in the 2002 Champion Hurdle


20lbs clear of Istabraq ?

Istabraq was finished in 2002 though (I backed it anyway...but also had Marble Arch e/w at 33/1)

Finished ? ..... it was 2/1 fav

Completely flip flopped on my opinion on this race, I had in my mind that Cue Card might find the course too sharp on the basis of his Kempton failure but his early mistakes there explain that run and he ran really well for a long way when you consider that race went so against him.   I just rewatched last year's Arkle and am now convinced that Cue Card is overpriced today.  He made up ground in the straight that day over an inadequate trip but what impresses me most is the way he hugged the inside, I think this sharper track may help rather than hurt.  SS ran wide quite a bit that day and looking at his run at Aintree he may not have enjoyed the Mildmay Course so much, veered right to jump some of the fences and the time of the race was very modest too.  He had a very simple task to beat the 143 rated Toubab who made the task even easier for SS with a terrible blunder 2 out when still just 3L down.  SS's speed might be blunted by the trip too, in theory he should get further but something is nagging me about both the amount of speed he has and Henderson's historically poor record stepping horses up in trip, he trains very much for speed.  The horse may also be at his very best when fresh, a lot of 2 mile chasers are.   That's a lot of ifs and buts but all of them combined produce sufficient doubt to me that the prices do not reflect the chances.  Flem is a great jumper but I don;t think he will be quite quick enough after reviewing his races too.   

A moderate sized bet for me on Cue Card, is 8.0 on here which is great value!

Agree about the track and SS. I just hope it doesn't fack him up. The Mildmay finished Carobee, another very tall big topped horse after he beat Halkopous (Supreme winner) in the 2M novice hurdle on good ground in 1992. Never saw the racecourse again.

Big fan of Cue Card and backed him to win the Ryanair but he had a hard race and has had a long season.

Cue Card seems pretty tough to me, 4 starts isn't exactly a hard season.

I am not suggesting that SS is not a superstar, this  he clearly is, but today he races against the best horses he has faced over fences, over a trip he has never ran over, or suggested he wants. Breeding is one thing, but what a horse consistently suggests on the track is much more important. Granted with the ground having dried out so much, this will not be the potential stamina test it might have looked two weeks ago. The last half decent hors SS faced, was Cue Card in last years Arkle, where he beat him 7 lenghts. Having always looked like a horse who gives his all on the bridle, and probably not much more there if it was asked for, you couldnt value him for much more than the 7 lenghts. Cue card is certainly a better animal this year, and also better for the extra half mile, so there may not be much between them. Throw in Flemenstar who i believe should be shorter than CC, and taking 1.35 adds up to pure madness imo. Its just a shame the ground has gone so quick, be slightly worried about Flem letting himself down on it. But, hopefully those fears prove unfounded, the best jumper in trainig should be a sight to behold. And if SS lobs up beside them, and beats them senseless, with them both running to form, then i will be the first to say Wow. But taking 1-3 on a horse after what may have been a harder run than it appears at chelt, over a trip he has never ran over, against opposition the class of which he has never faced...good luck to you. If he is beaten, i would never suggest an i told you so to anyone, visa versa, if he hoses up, i wont think i was wrong. Backing 1-3 shots, you want everything in your favour...is that the case today??

Judorick

Can I ask how you can possibly have Sprinter so far clear when he hasn't raced over the distance as a chaser and patently failed to stay it on his one try as a novice hurdler. No doubt he is a stronger horse but to extrapolate from what he can do at 2 miles and assume he can do the same at half a mile further is illogical in my view.

He will need to stay every yard today.

fancy a punt on mad moose in this, i have feeling twister has been holding this horse back for some time in an effort to get a massive  price about him in a big race

at 250/1 he finally has that price, the handbrake will be coming off today and the layers will be left lamenting the cost of this perfectly executed plot

mad moose -------> all in

Brave decsion by connections to go for this with SS - hope they all run their races and SS still hacks up as that would make him a proper superstar, but I can't believe he's still as short as he is stepping up in trip and taking on such proven 2m4f horses as Cue Card, Flemenstar and also Finians Rainbow if he's back on song.

A lay of SS for me, win and place.

20lbs clear of Istabraq?

findthevalue??????? More like find a Doctor.

I've backed Cue Card without the favourite so I've nailed my colours to the mast. He may have had a hard race but FL and Menorah ran well after running in the same race. Flemenstar may be a suspect traveller according to reports earlier in the season.

Wow! Just wow! Got tingles watching that!

20lb clear??

Cracking race...Sprinter obviously out of this world but Cue Card is unbelievable

fair do's disappointed with flemenstar, cue card stuck at it well considering he didn't jump great, think they'll be sorely tempted to go for the KG with SS now, they have to don't they?

Wow!!

Can't see SS going for the KG...they will aim Simonsig at that and won't want a clash.

Hopefully the ground is a bit better this year and CC can have a run at it.

Great to see SS hose up (even if it did cost me money).

Not sure what to make of Flemenstar - he jumps almost too well given the fences so much daylight. Maybe he needs it softer, maybe he was a bit rusty after his little problem or maybe he didn't like travelling across to England (or a combination of the three).

I'd like to see him in the KG (his best form is right handed).

SS didn't look like he was stopping - will surely have a crack at the Gold Cup some day. CC's connections will hope so - clearly 2nd best chaser in GB and Ire but won't stay 3 miles.

I'm an old fecker but not quite old enough to have seen Arkle and Flyingbolt in the flesh. Enjoy the ride people 'cos this fella is special and if recent history anything to go by, his like only come round every 50 years. I hope they take him to Punchestown for the 2 mile race....the Paddy's do acknowledge something special and they deserve a treat.