The 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Hope Cue Card is still 20/1 in a few weeks when they go NRNB, silly price.

 

hope your right , if all those turned up in top order and the ground was suitable , it would be a real fine renewal , but there has to be big doubts on that score ---hope that thislecrack does not make a real horlicks in one of those extravagant leaps , but like most I'll wait nearer the day ......

 

Many Clouds EW on the day, Thistlecrack to win and destroy the field for MC to march into places.

 

My only worry about Thistlecrack is if he is too bold on that downhill fence (if it is still there). Otherwise, apart from Don Cossack, he has them all cooked. I can't wait for this one and will be praying it isn't an anti climax

 

Might sound crazy but Minella Rocco 33/1 provides the e/w value in this now.

Anything that races Thistlecrack too early might not get home and Minella Rocco will be outpaced before running on late with a rattle.

I hope Cue Card runs- who even cares about the Ryanair?

 

LOL You'd cut your bollocks off to get a Festival winner! A winner there is every owners dream.

 

Did anyone read the Lydia Hislop piece on Sportinglife? Apparently Might Bite was going every bit as quick, if not quicker than Thistlecrack the whole way and would have likely have posted a quicker time had he stood up at the last. Very interesting read and makes you question the form, although visually it looked outstanding. Again, Frodon has proved to be a very good marker and Might Bite had him easily held - perhaps he is a 160+ horse already.

 

This was also highlighted in the current edition of ‘The Weekender’. Might Bite was raised 4 lbs by the assessor after Kempton to a perch of 152. You would have to think that somewhat lenient although, I guess, it might be academic as you would imagine his next 2 races would be something like the Reynoldstown and then the RSA. Unless, of course, old Saint Nick sees a far off plot and puts him away until the Hennessy (or what was the Hennessy).

People, Colin Tizzard starting to slightly annoy me by continually musing in the media where his 3 horses, high in the betting for the CGC, will run re the Festival. In no instance will he make the final decision (just like he didn't over Thistlecrack’s participation in the ‘King George VI Chase’)! He seems to want to portray it was up to him re the Kempton race (when it never was) and now he's doing the same again.

 

Cue Card is a different case in question- He is a the 2010 Bumper winner, 2012 Arkle runner up, 2013 Ryanair winner, and has won a King George. He's not your average horse and has been a wonderful flag-bearer for Colin for over 5 years.

The owners have one more valid shot at a Gold Cup given his age, and I would be stunned if they felt the 2m 6f intermediate chase is the one for him now.

There's Cheltenham winners and then there's Cheltenham Blue Riband winners.

I'd be delighted to own any winner- but if I owned Cue Card I'd either give him his shot at answering the question left after his tumble last year, or skip the festival.

The Ryanair is a really valid race for horses that might be aimed at the Gold Cup the following year or later down the line, and Imperial Commander and Cue Card himself validate that route- but not dropping down in trip in his last year of his prime.

 

Well he did manage to convince the owners of Native River that the Welsh National was the correct race for him. I think they have a good honest relationship with the owners down at that yard and Tizzard has been right in what he has said so far this year.

 

You would swear the owners were paying him to train and help make decisions!

 

Agree, 100%. He’s advising and helping to make the decisions (as every trainer does). But ultimately (as with every horse) the final decision lies with the owner. Old boy Colin, to my interpretation, seemingly wants everyone (and I’ve no idea why) to believe he’s in complete control when he’s not (and nor is any trainer).

 

KILLUKTAGH VIC- 40/1 beat TC at Punchestown- Willie has said he will be back in the spring- ok maybe asking bit much for him to win and no I haven't and won't back him until I see him entered somewhere or there is a positive update about him

 

Cue Card isn't in his prime. The last time a horse of his age or older won the Gold Cup was What a Myth in 1969. He beat a bunch of old boys and average plodders at Haydock, and got found out by a younger and miles more talented horse at Kempton. They are wasting there time going for the Gold Cup, and anyone backing him might aswell just give the bookies free cash. Should be about 66/1, and even then I wouldn't be tempted.

They should go for the Ryanair where atleast he has a slim chance of earning abit of place money.

 

In terms of the Gold Cup, I think a lot depends on what sort of shape Gordon Elliot can get Don Cossack in come the day. But I'm struggling to believe he can get him there at peak fitness. As he's not even ready to run now, and Cheltenham isn't that far away. I get the feeling it's a race against time that they are losing. Hence the 12/1 quotes. Make no mistake though, at his best he's incredibly talented.

Thistlecrack does look close to a steering job with the major doubts over the defending champion providing he can jump round at this stage. The Cue Cards, Coneygree's, and Djackadams will not trouble Thistlecrack, as they don't have the ability to.

Native River is actually a horse I like, I don't see him troubling the favourite, but I can see him chasing him home in 2nd. I think his handicap form is pretty solid and he's a horse who should keep improving.

 

Can't take you seriously Shergy with no at the end of your posts...