It maybe only monday, but the 1st proper big race (Betfreds Old Roan chase- was disappointing with only 3 runners!) of the season and my mouth is watering. IMO one of 3 or 4 horses could win. Time For Rupert 7/2 JF- looks like the ground will be suited for Paul Webbers Gold cup hope, who was very disappointing at the festival last year- but was discovered to have a virul problem which caused him to miss his warm up race which had its consequences in the festival! but looks to have had that sorted over the summer so if back to his best will be very hard to beat. Diamond Harry 7/2 JF who was one of the ante-post favourites for last years gold cup which he ended up missing and has had almost a year out- but the henessy gold cup winner needs to prove he is back to that kind of form to keep up with TFR and be in the frame come the winning post. Poquelin 9/2 - Again was a disappointing 2-1 fav at the festival last year when coming 2nd to an inform albertas run in the ryan air- but again is a class horse but may find one or 2 have too much for him in this race. Nacarat 6/1 to take the crown for a 2nd year- A horse I like to call Mr Consistent- you always now that this magnificent grey will always give 100% and will just stay all day long. Was a big suprise winner in the bowl chase at aintree when beating the field by quite a way and more importantly beating the 5/4 Favourite in Denman but will he be able to re-create this form and last years form we will wait and see. Last of all Midnight Chase a good value e/w bet 9/1- Was 5th in the gold cup last year, but ground didnt suit, if he can show the form he did when winning at cheltehnam in November and december last year winning by 8L and Neck respectivlely who included Neptune Collognes, Junior and Any currency- there maybe abit value b the 9/1 but the horse is cheltenaham specialist and that may have something to do with his wins but will have a lot to prove against the 1st 2 I mentioned! I havent made up my mind yet- I would like to see Diamond Harry come back after a year and show us why he was last years Henessy winner and come back to winning return, but I fear Time For Rupert may have too much for the field!
I cant remeber that Nass- I know he had a virul problem but you are probably right, but if he did what an effort!
Answered your own question there . I definitely fancy Time for Rupert to easily beat Diamond Harry - I don't rate Diamond Harry as he's not really beaten much (Denman I know, but an out of sorts Denman). In my opinion Nacarat is, as you say, extremely consistent but probably not extremely special. I quietly fancy Poquelin to come good this year, I think he's always looked better than his results suggest. Midnight Chase could be a good outside chance but I don't think 9/1 is great value. I think Time for Rupert, assuming he's fit and up to scratch, could win well. Nacarat will be in there somewhere, but I don't think he'll be ahead of TFR. Midnight Chase or Poquelin to beat Diamond Harry (and the rest of the field) for 3rd. Nacarat EW looks very likely to show a profit, but it's gotta be Time for Rupert for me.
Time for Rupert sounds the logical choice but I just have a slight worry about horses that bleed. Anyone know what sort of bleed it was and how bad. Over exertion causes bleeding and I believe it can reoccur.
Paul Nicholls thinks Poquelin could be the sort of horse who could place in a Gold Cup this season, so don't write him off just yet
Those who remember the thread I put up after meeting Andy Stewart a few weeks back will recall he thinks Poquelin can be a Gold Cup horse this season, if he has any aspirations towards lifting the blue ribband you would have to expect him to win the Charlie Hall, although this would appear to be a very good renewal....
WF for the thread, this is a seriously good looking renewal and it is fantastic to see the top yards sending their stars to Wetherby. In addition to those horses already mentioned I am also really looking forward to seeing Weird Al on his debut for Donald McCain, plus there is a host of "second rank" stayers such a Chicago Grey and Cheif Dan George to add into the equation. The 5/1 on offer from Bet 365 for Poquelin looks a nice bet to me. He is just a touch short of the very best over 2m4f, being touched off by Albertas Run and Monets Garden, but I think the longer trip could be right up his street as he was staying on nicely in the Ryanair. We know he goes well fresh, given his fine effort behind the amazing Monets Garden first time up last season, and I think PN will have him fit and ready for this as he will want to know where he stands against some of the potential big guns on the stayers scene. For me Diamond Harry, Time For Rupert and Weird Al are best watched after their long lay-offs. I certainly hope all 3 return to their best form this season, as all have looked potentially top notch at various stages over the last couple of years and what a Gold Cup we could have in March if these guys are able to join the line up. Midnight Chase deserves his crack at this but I fear his form may be a touch short of what is required. Tough, genuine and with a heart like a lion, it remains to be seen whether he can do it away from Prestbury Park.
I'm a MASSIVE Time For Rupert fan and have already backed him EW for the Gold Cup, he's got superb form at Cheltz but ran poorly in the RSA as he bled. He's fit and well again judging by reports but his ultimate target is the Gold Cup (as are most of these) and Paul Webber wont have him fully tuned up and will certainly come on for the run. I expect him to jump very well and stay all the way to the line and maybe bag 2nd. I've just checked the odds and I'll be at William Hills later to get a lump on DIAMOND HARRY at 7/2. First time up is the time to catch him, his season debut runs are 1111 with the latest beating Denman in the Hennessey last Nov. The galloping Wetherby track will suit, he's first time up and owner Paul Duffy has been on saying he's very well so I advise to get on sharpish at Hills before the 7/2 goes.
Agree that this is a corking looking renewal and let’s just hope that these declarations turn into actual runners. I must say that I’ve no real firm opinions, at this stage, re the winner but am deffo looking forward to the race. A few points though: (i) this is undoubtedly a retrieval mission for Time For Rupert. Last January (prior to Long Run’s King George win and Time For Rupert’s injury which ruled him out of ‘Trials’ weekend) this horse was being lauded as the latest ‘reincarnation of Pegasus’ and it was being spoken about as if the 2012 CGC was already his for the taking. Needs a big performance to re-establish his ‘top table’ credentials. Has certainly been well backed, in the past 24 hours, for both this and the CGC though. (ii) As Wuby says Diamond Harry’s first time out record is 100% and he’s undoubtedly better fresh. Has never been beaten when running after at least 2 months away from the racecourse. (iii) Poquelin is so, so much better around Cheltenham than anywhere else (10 out of his last 14 races have been there because of this and he is a 5 times course winner). He’s a real course specialist at the Gloucestershire venue.
If they all stand their ground this is the best renewal I can remember, I've seen weaker King Georges if I'm honest...
Thanks Oddy- Im still like the look of Diamond Harry- goes well fresh and really impressed me when winning the Hennessy! Just re-watched the race on Youtube! But also Poquelin is starting to tickle my fancie now too. but as barney says Poquelin is a much better horse round cheltenham, but Im sure PN will have him raring to go and imo the spot for the nicholls's yard Number one horse is still open, so you may never know what doors will open for him if he wins round here on Saturday. Its hard to tell at the mo- but I just cant wait! im like a kid at xmas lol
Poquelin does (or did) have a tendency to jump left, hence his chases have been almost all going Left Handed (1 of 15 was at RH Ascot where he ran badly, jumping left throughout). 10 of his 15 chases have been at Cheltenham with 3 at Aintree and 1 at Newton Abbot. I would think this has been dictated by the standard of races he has been competing in (PaddyPower GC, Boylesports GC, Ryanair) rather than a "must have Cheltenham" issue. Wetherby is a left handed, galloping track with stiff fences much like Cheltenham so I think he will be fine on it.
Diamond harry now best priced 11/4 from 7/2 earlier this morning. I missed the 7/2 .... doh !!! Got the 3s though
I got on the 7/2 last night cheeky 2pts on it, so that will be enough for me, might see what happens on the day.
Time For Rupert looked destined for the top as a chaser, before running like a drain at the festival, when he apparently bled. If you forgive him that one run, he really should win this if he is to resume the progression he showed in his first to runs over fences. It's all about him, really, as the rest are all good but just shy of ever being great.
Looks a very good year for the Charlie Hall, great article and some very good comments. Nacarat proved he loves this course last year when easily winning this race and his trainer is very bullish again.
Obviously the withdrawal of Diamond Harry took some of the gloss off the race but still a fascinating renewal and it was great to see Weird Al get his head in front (although not from a betting perspective as I was on TFR). I thought the first 2 jumped pretty ragged at some of the fences and they will need to polish their jumping to get a look-in at the top table. Poquelin didn't stay and Nacarat is starting to show his age. It was also heart-warming to read Don McCain's post-race interview where he gave massive credit to Nick Williams for having the horse so well. Obviously it's not easy when the owner decides the horse needs a change of scenery but McCain could have just talked about the race and future plans for the horse. Shows how humble he is that he heaped the praise on to Williams
