Would agree with you there mate, and I'd fancy him more for a Ryanair than a King George, as I don't think the 3 miles would suit. Silviniaco Conti is the horse I have noted down for the King George, I thought he was brilliant at Aintree in April, and again at Wetherby on Saturday
SC is another who did it well but I thought the race fell apart around him a little. I think Flemenstar would take all the beating in the King George but I doubt they'll send him over
Yeah, I'm another who's really looking forward to seeing Flemenstar over here, got cousins in Ireland who don't stop going on about him, and say he'll win at Cheltenham in March no matter which race he goes for, even Gold Cup! I admire their confidence, and am interested to see just how good he is. King George could be the target for Sizing Europe though, what a race it's shaping up to be!
None of them were cherry ripe today. If you've got a beast at home why go balls out for this race when there's 4 or 5 more valuable and prestigous races around the corner. I agree with Oddy although I'm not surprised at the hyperbole given the forum's reaction to Wise Dan on Saturday. Could beat Frankel my arse!
Flemenstar won't win a race in England this season. That's my prediction and you can take that to the bank.
I've been ain Flemenstar since day 1 but i wouldnae be sure aboot him ain a gold cup. If he turned up at the Ryanair i'd be all over haim
No worries Boston, just seen bits of his races to be honest, I'd be interested as to just how good he is though. Any reasons as to why he won't win a race in England? Wise Dan beat Frankel?! Is someone taking the piss?
Will he travel over and what has he beaten? Visually impressive for sure but winning poorly contested Irish graded races is a million miles away from a quality graded race in England. I was a big fan last season (rating him above Sir Des Champs) but the summer has given me time to think that over and I was wrong.
I have said much the same as Bob re Flemenstar...he won't be racing in England this year and I can't think of a horse less suited to Cheltenham with it's undulations and enhanced drainage system. Cue Card looks like a specialist 2m4f horse who may well run in the KG...big myth btw to suggest Kempton is an easy 3m..it isn't given the pace they go. I would have thought the John Durkan may be up his street and he will have a fitness advantage. Nice performance today...just nice.
JL..Silviniaco Conti is unlikely to go for the King George as Nicholls has already stated he won't be as effective going right-handed !
Cue Card to my eye, when running at the very highest level, looks a horse without a trip. Capable of running respectably at 2 miles, 2.5 miles and 3 miles but never of actually winning a ‘top table’ race. If I owned the old boy I wouldn’t touch the ‘King George VI’ on St Stephens Day as this is going to go to one man and one man only – Mr Henderson, the forum’s favourite trainer. His list of possibles for the heat is almost endless (Long Run, Riverside Theatre, Finians Rainbow, Bobs Worth, Burton Port) and his rivals will be competing solely for very minor prizemoney. In the 2010 renewal (although it was actually run in January 2011) he had the 1-2 in the race will Mr Henderson better that this term and have the 1-2-3?!?
Henderson certainly has a better chance of prevailing in the King George VI Chase than Nicholls this year...the one horse who could prevent him doing so is Grands Crus....should be an exciting race again either way.
I say Arks bit disappointed by your reference to the forum’s favourite trainer in that post. I expected better from you. MR Henderson in future, please. Grands Cru isn’t one for me, I’m afraid and his performance at the Festival where he went out like the proverbial light was most baffling, perplexing and worrying re his future. Think he could struggle in Grade 1’s this term.
Plenty of Mr Henderson's runner there with "best trip" issues Sir Barney. One I would throw into the old melting pot for the King George is Al Ferof - I think the step up in trip will be highly beneficial for him.
SBC..such is his fame that his surname suffices ! It's obvious to all and sundry I am not talking about Dickie Henderson....or Willie Henderson for that matter ! I assume you know who they both were ? OddDog will know the latter...for sure !
What piece of form over fences leads anyone to believe that the dodge pot of the highest order, Grands Crus, is capable of winning a top race over fences?
He won the Feltham Novice Chase in a quicker time than Kauto Star won the King George and several believe he would have beaten Kauto Star in the race had he run ! Make your own mind up by all means !
I think he does have a trip - he's a 2 miler if ever there was one. But it hasn't escaped the attentions of Old Man Tizzard that your Mr Henderson seems to have that distance covered as well. When asked by Nick Luck about the Tingle Creek, Tizzard senior gave a knowing smile and asked "Who'll be going for that then?" I still wouldn't be surprised to see him turn up at Sandown in December.
Agree, Feltham form is strong Watched a replay of Cue Card yesterday, my word he jumped well. If he jumps like that in future races he'll have a chance regardless of opposition.
Agree GGW, thought he was much quicker and cleverer over the obstacles than I had ever given him credit for!
