Hennessy Gold Cup 7th Feb

Joncol won't win.... doesn't matter what Nolan says about tactics the last day....

i wouldnt say that about joncol, took on notre pere down back for no reason, it ran the finish out of him, little more restraint and we could see him get home better, with dry spell they may get home better to, but with way cooldine is being backed, WM must be serious confident

I think it would be a fantastic training performance by WP if Cooldine wins after being pulled up at Christmas. At clonmel yesterday his horses are still a bit hit and miss

I did not fancy Cooldine at all, ran an absolute stormer imo

Great to see two of our best young chasers fight out a great finish - hopefully they continue on an upward curve

Exactly Mayoman. We have a lot to look forward to.

Cooldine should go for the Ryanair.
Not sure if the entries are out at this stage and he probably won't be aimed at it, but it is a more suitable race for him.

I guess it's all about the prestige of the Ryanair versus the GC, Distant View. But there will be poorer Gold Cups than the 2010 one from next year onwards for Cooldine.

I agree.

He has little realistic chance in this year's Gold Cup and I actually think that he might be better served by the shorter trip anyway. I am not sure that the Gold Cup trio which I think is 300 yards further than the Sun Alliance is going to suit him.

I think that a prominent forceful ride over the Ryanair trip would see him in his best light.

As you say, there is a Gold Cup next year that may not be as competitive.

it'll be interesting to see how strongly yesterday's race works out. I don't quite think Joncol gets 3m and Cooldine very much had the race run to suit.

The fact that Schindler's Hunt finished where he did would also cast the form in a poor light.

Chatting to Joncol connections at Naas they sounded confident they could do it. My pal wasn't sure whether he would say so i put that question to them. They said they wouldn't have entered it if they didn't think he would stay the trip.

Ruby was cursing to himself as he returned from the track. One couldn't blame him as the horse ran a blinder and just got done. Whether the bad mistake at the 6th made a difference is a matter of conjecture.

Not sure Joncol truly stays 3 miles . I think he will be better over slightly shorter . He has a good turn of foot which was used yesterday on the run in . The 2m 5f of the Ryanair would be ideal .

Any horse that can win 2.2 bumper in desperate ground has to be able to stay near 3 miles.

Collingwood won a bumper soapp - some of them are glorified mile races.

Fair enough EMI. But the bumper Joncol won was in the depths of the winter and 2 mile 2 furlongs is a stiff bumper. By the way fair dues to you tipping it up at 11/4 in your column. Joncol was a very tight 9/4 shot who ought to have drifted out due to all the money for Money trix and Cooldine. Even Notre Pere attracted money. I was lucky to get 5/2 right at the off from Kevin McManus who was the only bookie to knock him out. He was well accomodated and knocked it back after about a half dozen bets most of them chunky.

It was great to see Pat Eddery over He was looking very dapper.

He made time for a few words after the last. Of course i brought up the El Gran Senor/ Secreto derby. He said that was the one that got away.

I tell you Davy Russell is going places. No rushing home after the 3rd last race. There he was in the pre parade ring before the last. I can see him planning a training career in the not too distant future.

thanks soapp.
The Great Man is probably the best form judge of any Irish jockey and has a load of horses himself... I would imagine your prediction will turn out accurate.

Joncol stayed on dourly at the end of 3miles 1 in Punchestown last April. Think he definitely stays 3m and beyond . Yes he is very very good at 2m 4f but the very best horses are usually versatile trip wise.

soapp

about 8 mins before the off Joncol was 3.15 with Cooldine 5.5 on here

by the off, Joncol was 4 and Cooldine 3.9

the drift on Joncol was not reflected by the bookies whereas the prices on Cooldine and Money Trix were pushed down

The SP total % was 119 which was stiff enough considering 7 runners with no e/w angle.

At least the bookies pushed out Cooldine when he was on the drift is the only charitiable comment I can give.

Admittedly, office money was probably in operation to keep the sps down.