Smad Place has benefited from getting his own way out front and settling into a rhythm. I can't see him dictating this race in the same way against higher class opponents and they'll want to make use of Silviniaco Conti's jumping by riding him prominently I would have thought.

I think it is key to note the performance of those that tried to mix it with him throughout the race....... all in their turn had their hearts broken. One by one they came to have a crack and he repeatedly turned them away. If he gets into the same rhythm again at Kempton I'm not sure i would want to be on the ones that try and get him at it . All about opinion though. Good Luck

If taylor puts one up for this race it will be Smad Place, He would have loved the way he ran that race. Win or lose he is one to get a position on now as he will only get shorter

I see your point - but I think his last run showed a considerable amount of improvement from his first - that is something I feel was always an issue with Cue Card, and that should be driving the price for the fav... form.

Vautour didn't run great last time out... Don Cossack Im not too sure about him and what to expect - bit hyped in my book as does let you down on the big days.

IRB Cue Card's rejuvenated form is based on beating old past it horses specifically Sil Conti. So how much of it is down to Conti being slower or not on his A game in that Betfair Chase? There is no way Cue Card is going to improve on his best form which is low 170's.

As for Smad Place, are we going to see him improve into the 170's a place where he's never managed to get close to before? The fact Alan King is talking of the Ryanair is he knows Smad isn't a top class horse over 3m+ in the best company. He's more a Triolo D'Alene, Many Clouds kind of winner of the Hennessy than a Denman or Bobs Worth.

We don't know where Vautour and to a lesser degree Don Cossack's max level is. I think bar Vautour the 3 or 4 best staying chasers are elsewhere. Don Poli, Djakadam, Road to Riches and injured Coneygree.

I would rather back horses like Don and Vatour on what they are going to do than back Cue Card and Conti on what they have done in the past,I don't think either horses best form will be good enough.
I have had a bit of the 14/1 on Vatour winning both so I hope he runs.

Vautour 3 miles right handed on soft / very soft ground ?

Well yes, he's a stayer and his Sire Robin Des Champs is only known for siring stayers. Tour Des Champs just won the Welsh National Trial and Sir Des Champs ran a 175 in soft ground to be 2nd in a Gold Cup. This isn't a Champagne Fever will he stay question. Vautour stormed home ears pricked after making all in the JLT. 3 miles around Kempton isn't a worry. The final furlong in a Gold Cup is. But any sane backer of Vautour in the Gold Cup has their lay matched in running to remove any worry about him not seeing it out.

4m46.3s was Vautours time in JLT vs Uxizandres 5m1.2s in the Ryanair. Both made all the running. It was a staggering performance

Interesting ... I wonder how he combo of very soft ground and three miles will actually suit him .. He shows a lot of raw speed there on good ground

He's more a Triolo D'Alene


i question this, i think he is on another level to the handicapper triolo dalene and is a proper grade 1 horse with new tactics employed

I agree with Harry, campaigned differently Many Clouds would be a real contender for G1 races.
BTW, the RP has the difference between the Ryanair & JLT as being slightly more than a full furlong that day and Uxi jumped an extra fence. Based on this, their actual respective average furlongs were 14.3 Vautour and 14.33 Uxi. Both were fast times, Uxi's the course record. Nonetheless, not sure what price he would be for a KG, 'staggering performance' on the clock or not......

cant seem to find the vautour kg /gc double 14/1 on here ! any hints? tia

straight after the race ? and depending on the circumstances /i.e  a good win   and no hard luck stories  I would say no bigger than  2s

Back him to win the KG at 3/1.

Bank the money and then wait till Gold Cup day and back him then.
I expect their will be offers,plus the Lexus winner and Djakadam will be fancied I imagine.

At leat that way you don't have to sweat for  a couple of months or so.

I backed him for king George on here straight after the jlt only peanuts available at 10 and 8.4 ,have held fire till now but will back him at 3s and the 14s the double ,have also  had a saver on conti at 7s before the betfair !

yeah if djackadam /rtr or don poli were impressive in lexus it would certainly make things more  interesting ,but wullins and ruby have made no secret of how high they rate vautour ..............lot of imponderables

you not punting on the strength of Mullins and Walsh comments,are you mate??

no, more on my own thoughts and impressions  budd  ,but a lot of ifs and buts and maybes till gold cup day !

Don Cossack 12/1 (PPower, B365) for KG & GC but as short as 8/1 at Coral.
Vautour 14/1(PPower, Betfair) but also as short as 9/1 at Coral.
Cuecard 28/1 (PPower) but only 14/1 at Coral.

If you go on Oddschecker King George Market and there's a tab at the top for the double.  Corals are taking the mickey.

Got to say not too excited by the doubles and feel sure if you're disciplined enough to bank your KG winnings and reinvesting later you'll do better.

I'll be amazed if Smad is good enough.  Do you not think The top 4 in the betting would have won the Hennessy (if they stay) easily off 155.  I think folk are getting carried away with him.