IKNOWTHEWAYYOURTHINKIN

I think people have been looking at that all season. How badly does he have to run for them to push him out? So far they have done nothing. The expectation is that he is a different horse at Cheltenham, and let's face it the likely opposition isn't going to be brilliant. I suppose they could easily have put him in the Cotswold instead of Spillane's Tower. First and foremost he needs to jump better. Donoghue will be schooling him round with an idea of picking up the pieces. That is what happened last year. I think it is worth emphasising he didn't show much prior to this race last season, and the stable has been in dire form.

I backed him for last years gold cup at massive prices after the defeat at Leopardstown and it paid off when he won the gold cup, this year seems different to me, he may well hack round into fourth or fifth today but cant do any better than that judged on his price, it does seem crazy he is four times the gold cup price when running today.

I've chanced Montys Pass each way at the prices. 50/1 first 4

Was that him taking a bad looking fall there?

soft fall but yes.

Good he got up.

Still no bigger than 16/1. It will be quite a performance to even get him to the race.

Even though he won today, I think if Fact To File wants another Cheltenham win, he needs to stick to the Ryanair.

Of course Jim was right. Why else would he say it? Just a question of HOW right. The horse in question is a prime example of what's going on. Just ANOTHER one wearing "those" colours. Owner tells ALL his trainers what to do. Running down the field. Never put in races. Handicapper getting fooled. Of course nothing will be done cos he employs so many people. Bloke uses racing as his personal toy and doesn't care. Why cobden took the job is beyond me. Sold himself and will now be told what to do. Should have had more respect for himself and told him to shove the job. Are magic parsnips being used???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW7EgBNeaGM
Something like this maybe what Slickster is thinking about.

Not too many horses win a champion hurdle like that and never too be seen again.

Did he get injured or was they something else at play?

Edwulf 2018 irish gold cup. Practically died at Cheltenham previous year. Comes back as a 10 year old to win. Didn't really have the class to win. Trained by nappy o'brien. Didn't take him long to get into the mix. In "those" colours. Oh and backed from 100-1 into 33s. Mmmmmm.. 2019 espoir d'allen scoots home in the champion. In "those" colours. Died few months later. Cromwell always has that guilty look about him. Like he's waiting for the tap on the shoulder. Inothewayurthinkin. Well what can you say. Should be nearing the prime of his life. Bolts up in the gold cup last year - well backed of course - less than a year later can barely run properly. In "those" colours. After the "magic turnips" are used there's a thing called a masking agent...

Interesting the Racing Post has changed the winning time against standard of Majborough.

Initially given as 3.10 secs slow,it now says 11.10 secs slow to standard.

The first one is correct based on standard being 4m.13secs,hopefully just a clerical error,will it get changed?

Everyone knows McManus likes a punt but for me it tends to be in handicaps when the big money goes down and to befair he is not the only owner who does this and there are tonnes of trainers who do the same thing. In terms of his horses not coming back season on season here are a few chasers and hurdlers that sprung to mind, Baracouda, Buveur D'air, Epatante, Istabraaq, My Tent or Yours, Sire Du Berlais,  Jonbon, I am Maximus, Synchronised.

Fact to file a strange one. Had only won 1 of his last 5 or 6 races. On known form struggled with 3 miles in top class company. Bolts up yesterday on soft - heavy. Well backed of course. And it seems quite odd that since "losing" this job Walsh can barely ride a loser...

whats the logic behind people doubting that a usual brutal sun alliance winner 2 yrs ago doesnt really stay 3 miles ?,normal rule of thumb would be they need 3 m+ as they get older

I think retirement is the most likely option now post the two dismal performances. I think Fact To File has a much better chance of winning The Ryanair than The Gold Cup. I still believe he'll be outstayed in a proper Gp1 3m+ distance like he'd done in the past despite his excellent performance at Leopardstown yesterday.

I can't see Inothewayurthinkin retiring at eight. The most disappointing aspect has been how his jumping has gone backwards. I don't remember a mistake in the Gold Cup. Now he could seemingly bungle anything. I think you have to take into account that the Cromwell has been total rubbish this season. That can't have helped. New season, who knows?

I do agree about Fact To File. It doesn't bother me this season as I have yet to have a bet in either the Ryanair or the Gold Cup. It's funny how the idea of running in the race that a horse has the most chance of winning goes out of window when it comes to the Gold Cup, but the same does not apply to the Champion Hurdle. Fact To File won the Irish Gold Cup this year, but could easily have not improved on his weakening third last year. He beat a doubtful stayer, a horse in obvious decline, and one trying the trip for the first time who was never really placed to challenge. There were plenty of washing jobs in behind. Even if he stays three miles, he will have to go another quarter mile, in a race that is likely to be more stamina than speed. They will probably supplement as I doubt they will just want to go with Spillane's Tower. I have a feeling if it was left to him that Mullins would have gone for Gold last year.

Cromwell giving the impression he might not run, but what have they got to lose? He isn't a stallion prospect. He will likely get better ground and a track over which he has shown his best form. What better options have they got? If things go badly they can just pull him up.

In Ireland their hurdle mark stays the same doesn't it regardless of chasing so he could possibly exploit that. Not much to lose really, or giving him a much softer assignment over fences.