I wasn't going to have a bet in this race after Disko dropped out but now its a scoop 6 race i'll have to have a pop. It looks an absolute ****ing nightmare to decipher to be honest. Mite Bite could well be a worthy favourite and justify that price but its just so so short. I don't like backing them at those sort of prices, it always feels like a bit of a cop out. Whisper looks too big and has obvious form with the fav albeit in defeat but has looked good this season. Bristol De Mai couldn't have been more impressive last time and i'm not going to sit here and crab its form saying Cue Card was past it etc.. because on the day i fancied Cue Card and posted as much on the forum. Does the horse need soft ground?? If so it could well be getting that and at around 4s its starting to look tempting. Form away from Haydock a concern? Fox Norton, another horse looks to have a touch of class but stamina doubts? especially on ground turning soft. Might possibly be the most interesting runner though for me. Then there's Thistlecrack, last years (easy) winner and at its best we all know what this horse is capable of. Coming back from a pretty serious injury, looked done last time over hurdles, can we trust that run and take it at face value? And finally just because i can't rule it out with 100% confidence, i have to have a look at Tea For Two at around 25/1 mainly due to its course form. Shouldn't be good enough, was well beaten in this last year and was well beaten last time behind BDM, even using ground as an excuse it took a hammering but 25s does look huge. I'm fully aware i've rattled on there without actually making a decision but i'm still undecided and wanted to get my thoughts out there on the race. I'll make a decision either later tonight or in the morning but i'm finding it a bugger to pick the one i want to back or even my idea of the top 3 in any order.
It is pretty much everyone elses thoughts on the race imo. You cover all the obvious bases and just have to pick one out. If it is slow ground im going BDM otherwise Whisper as Might Bite is too short.
Smokey good write up I'm gonna back thistlecrack. I can't be having the fave his jumping looks dodgy. If thistlecrack hoses up the gold cup market will be all over the show. I know I've said tizzards horses are a concern he's a class act and the trainers son said he was undercooked if you excuse the festive pun.so at the price I'll take a chance.
Improvers? Beer goggles Sam Spinner Bristol De Mai. Come on guys, this horse was a May foal. Wasn;t right in last years CGC and ran a cracker. Has not put a hoof wrong since coming back. Nige reckons it's not ground or track dependant and rates him as good as, if not better than Imperial Commader, and lets not forget, that horse beat Denman by 7 lengths in a CGC. If that's the case, we are looking at a serious chaser, I don't think we've seen the best of him yet, Tomorrow will steer us in the right direction. I'm sure you are aware by now that I'm on in a BIG way. May the best horse win, but I expect to collect.
Was still a big baby last season Mick but is now a serious, serious staying chaser. Only Sizing John to touch him at the moment I reckon.
So decision made and i'm going for the runner that interests me the most and that is Fox Norton. Lot of ifs for me but i'll take the chance. I'm taking a chance that Mite Bite's jumping will let it down and am assuming Thistlecrack is finished then my top 3 are Fox Norton, BDM, Whisper in that order.
for you Exactly my thinking Smokey. I have gone for Fox Norton as well. I just hope I haven't jinxed it
Tea for Two at big odds to run a big race. Loves the track and am hopeful especially with trainer in form. Probably a Might Bite win however..
I don't know what the proximity of Double Shuffle means ....................... BDM didn't jump well enough but the winner deserved it, even though it was far from pretty.
We'll that's burst Bristols and my bubble. Maybe he does need Haydock and a bog!!! We'll done to the Might Bite backers. Class will out eh?!!!
