I dont undertand how a arkle winning horse goes from winning to jumping like that- I think we can put a line through that run something was obviously not right with the horse! I still dont think he has a blue chance to win the GC but a line has to be put through that run!
I'd be wanting to see a much improved performance before I backed him again. It looked like he had completely lost the plot which is a huge shame. Hopefully he can get back on track and fulfil the potential that I am certain he has.
Captain Chris's performance was just utterly bizarre today. I think he must have had some issues. The market was so weak for him that it seemed as if they knew something was not right. The Hobbs team really is a bit hit and miss this season. Midnight Chase ran a cracker but I think if anything, today left us thinking about Grands Crus having a great chance of making the frame in the Gold Cup.
1st season as a novice chaser and then chucking him in right at the deepend? Last novice chaser to win the Gold Cup was Captain Christy in 1974
Well I think thats the thing mate- I don't think anyone is overly keen on throwing a novice in the deep end, but they must probably be looking at the Gold Cup field and thinking "why not?". He ran a very good time at Kempton, he has good form at Cheltenham, and touch-wood has jumped neatly and accurately. Personally I think he might get outstayed by Long Run but I do think he could make the frame. I think as long as Tom Scudamore gave him a patient ride, he ought to be nudging his way into contention with 4 or 5 left to go, and his engine ought to mean he would be picking off any weakening horses. Whether he could go with Kauto and Long Run as they quicken it all up I don't know. The RSA has been described as just as gruelling a race, so if he has the speed to go with the Gold Cup field, then he'd be just as well running in that wouldn't he?
Thats true looking at the field declared for this years Gold Cup, He can most definately get in the 1st 3 with maybe evening in the 1st 2. Kauto imo will struggle to get up the hill, but its funny as he has got older his jumping has become better! which may just save him but I suppose you never if Long Runs jumping lets him down with SWC on too who knows what would happen! There is no doubt he will get the trip, tom scudamore is becoming a top jockey and rides him very well. he is quicker than the likes of synchronised & QDLR and a classier horse than alot of the others. So I agree with you toppy why not, wouldnt do him much harm to go in it. And better for me too as I will be there on the friday lol
I suspect the long and short of it is that Pipe does not want to run him in the Gold Cup and the Owner does. I couldn't understand why, if they were genuinely serious about the Gold Cup, they didn't run him today. A very plausible reason was offered to me which is that if he won as expected it would have forced Pipe's hand to run him in the Gold Cup. He didn't want it taken out of his hands so pulled him out. It is a better and more understandable reason than I can come up with.
I don't bet ante-post normally but I guess now's an apt time to point out I've got the Hurricane at 5s and 4s for the Champion, as I backed him using a percentage of my winnings collected last year. Will Hills were 5s on the day of his Cheltenham win and I took the 4s the next day also! Speculative bets already paid for many times over, pretty decent looking now though
Who else got 3/1 with Boylesports over Christmas?! Pretty pleased with that, even if it is small stakes. Just need Zarkandar to bolt up in the Betfair and I'll be well away for the Champion Hurdle. 3/1 Hurricane Fly and 8/1 EW Zarkandar. Also got a lump on Peddlers Cross NRNB at 14/1 EW. Hope it doesn't come into play because I also have a lump on at 8/1 for the Arkle not NRNB!
Fraid so squire, I recall commenting with you the last day how lucky she was against TS, think she's just below the top of the class and she got properly schooled today against Willie's number one. The run of Unaccompanied is not exactly enhancing Zarkanders appeal either, for those that like that horse... Looks to me like the Hurricane could trip up twice and still come in glorious isolation in front. Scary to think, based on today, that he might even be BETTER than last year Good luck to those opposing him, horses and people that is, though I fear you may need a bit more than that
Unaccompanied will be better for decent ground, she jumped and travelled very well today but when HF upped it a gear she couldn't go with him, forget the fact she was so far behind him, she was beaten and allowed to coast home the final 3f, but I think it will take a very special horse to get anywhere near the Fly in that mood. I'm trying to find a weak link in the horse, does he get on with Cheltenham, will be be OK on quicker ground, does he go the pace of a championship race, is he flustered by the hustle of a big field ? And I'm afraid for the rest of the field he has already answered all of those questions....
Grizzly mate I think with the mares allowance Unaccompanied could nick a place in the big one. I'd fancy here to get the better of Grandouet and there ain't many going to finish in front of her - maybe just the 2
