"he was beaten well by Invictus at Ascot, whom I know one or two people a very, very quietly confident about in the RSA" That will be me and Oddy then Great write up Toppy It's hard NOT to like a flying grey like GC - he could well become another Dessie, but I'll oppose him wherever he runs this season. I hope he puts in a GOOD run though, then brings all his ammo to NEXT year's party
We'll see Zen, sometimes the novices go off quicker than the seasoned pros, I'm not saying the Gold Cup is an easier race for Grand Crus to win this years, but I do think it might be his best opportunity to win the big one...
Grizzly, I'm not disagreeing with that. I'm suggesting that the people that say the RSA is a hard race on young horses so therefore he should go for the Gold Cup are in dreamland. I cannot for the life of me see any possible reason why this should be the case. I have already aired my theory why the RSA has gotten this reputation and that has more to do with the horses running in it (ie those too slow to run over shorter) than the race itself.
He will probably get an easier time of things in the Gold Cup, there all seasoned chasers so there's less chance of him being hampered or brought down. There is only one horse to beat in the Gold Cup and thats Long Run. KS emptied up the hill last year, despite travelling the best, so I don't see how he will get up it this year being a year older. So why not have a crack at the GC, it's hardly like Long Runs been that good this season, I think the race is there for the taking for Grands Crus
Great write-up Toppy, I've been waiting for one on Grands Crus, so thanks. I remember reading a while back that David Pipe and the owners were leaning towards the Gold Cup, rather than the RSA, as they thought it might be the safer option for the horse. Whatever he does...I hope he stays safe and sound so we can enjoy him for many years to come.
I really like Grands Crus also, he went down in defeat to Big Bucks very bravely last year. I'd had my biggest bet of the week on Big Bucks as soon as I saw the evens available on the course and I'll never forget the (horrifying) sight of Grands Crus seemingly travelling well within himself and coming to challenge at the last. He is the only horse I have seen put it up to Big Bucks like that, and Ruby knew he had a race on his hands even before he lost his whip! This season I was of the view that if he could jump a fence, which he can, and still travel the same way then he would go to Cheltenham and win the RSA hands down. I still think he will win the novice event should he go for it, but the Gold Cup is a very different prospect. Kauto is very different animal this season to last, and in my view will take all the beating if he jumps every fence. Long Run is a wonderful staying chaser, but how much longer can he go on belting fences and still being able to have enough in the tank to make his presence felt at the business end of races? Burton Port is a horse I admire a lot, but I fear he may 'bounce' and he will be much better next season. Weird Al is very talented, and goes very well fresh, and in my opinion is an excellent bet for a place. Synchronised is the unknown quantity at this level if you ask me, I don't know how good the form of the Irish Hennessey will be but again mahy challenge for a place. Bit long-winded(!) but the long and short of it is that Grands Crus should go for the RSA, because I think he'll struggle to beat any of the above
I would like to see Grands Crus go for the Gold Cup and if he does I think he can win. Both the GC and RSA are tough races and I think Zenyatta makes a great point that the RSA in no tougher - it is just that there are more horses in the race not up the task. Novices have won the Gold Cup in the past and it is there for the taking in my opinion as Long Run has not looked as good this year as he did in the King George and Gold Cup last year. And it looks too big an ask even for the great Kauo Star.
606 Cheltenham PReview, published on FRIDAY! Featuring our super team of 8 panelists... Nassau-OddDog-Woolcombe Folly-Rainbow View-Beef Or Salmon-Zenyatta-TopClass-ROTO It's well worth a read because these lads have put some tremendous stuff together and puts the Racing Post to shame.
Guess I am the Thomo of this panel then.Every fooker else is a genius in this line up.HEY THERE BIG FELLAS THIS IS THOMMO AND I HAVE BOUGHT THE BREAKFAST FOR ME AND FITZY THIS MORNING.Cant believe that was his opening line on ATR the other day
ROTO or Toppy is Segal Oddy is fat Al Zen has to be Nick Luck RV you are Thommo, 'I will leave that to the judge'
