On the Cheltenham Trail

I'll put the other one down even though he's not won, I mean run yet. Don looked very special last season and if he's improved? Oh my, what a season he will have!

15/10/15
The Game Changer
Don Cossack

Don Cossack could be one for the Gold Cup

that's a monster

some very nervous looks back from sexton there, must have been wondering where the don was

The perfect reappearance! Looks like I've found my Gold Cup winner already! OK there is still a long season ahead of us so I should rein in my enthusiasm about him....for now.

profile is different from a lot of gold cup winners but engine is massive

Was at Aintree and thought The Game Changer was going to win in April, he ran poorly at Cheltenham in similar race, perhaps Grand National meeting will be the main plan this year?

Id be a bit worried that The Game Changer has been on the go all summer... unusual campaign for  a Cheltenham winner?

Ground dependant CCM, similar as last year, likely be put away now till spring..

Yes indeed mate, but they didnt blame his run in the County as much on the soft ground as the fact they hadnt been able to get a prep run into him?

Yeah, The Game Changer has started the campaign very early. Maybe they will give the horse a break now and then come  to the UK for something? I will keep the horse on the maybe list for now because I like the way this horse is improving rapidly and looks a natural over fences.

Some nice NH racing at Kempton on Sunday. The New One looked like he'd fallen out of love with the game a bit last season. He will have to win very impressively to get on my list.

23/10/15
Pengali Pavilion - Very impressed by that. Travelled like the winner the whole way and saw out the trip and the hill in style. Looks completely in love with the jumping game and has the right attitude for it.
Will no doubt end up in a race at the Festival come march with a very live chance.

30/10/15
Garde La Victoire - Having his first run over fences he jumped and travelled well and beat a useful sort very readily. He will have to keep on improving to be a considered a genuine Arkle contender but those fences at Uttoxeter can be a bit tricky for veteran chasers so it was good to see this novice jump them so well. His good jumping could take him all the way to the festival.

31/10/15
Don Cossack - What can you say about this performance? Absolutely hacked up and treated the very useful Rocky Creek with disdain. I'd already had a large bet on the horse for the King George before he won here so I REALLY hope he takes his chance in the KG and not the Lexus!

31/10/15
Rock On Ruby - The stayers hurdle division looks very open again this season and I can see "Rocky" going close in the World Hurdle. I landed my biggest ever Ante Post punt on Rocky when he won the Champion Hurdle a few years back. So maybe it might be my heart ruling my head (His picture hangs in my home office) But his love of Cheltenham and the likelihood of decent ground tells me after his run on Saturday that he still retains all of his enthusiasm and most of his ability. The horse hates soft ground and I was surprised that Harry Fry let him run. But the horse has to start somewhere I guess and he ran a very pleasing comeback IMO.

8/11/15
Coneygree - Thoroughly likeable individual that looks head and shoulders above every other chaser in the UK. His wonderfully accurate jumping and enthusiastic way of travelling is a sheer pleasure to watch. This horse will fight out the finish of the 2016 Gold Cup with Don Cossackand with these 2 on my side I WON'T be adding any more to my Gold Cup portfolio.