Its not the mullins fans getting stuck into Sir Des Champs, its the shrewdies 3/1 was the value in the race.
Have to say I disagree Boris. He was firmly put in his place by Flemenstar and his supporters are clutching at straws thinking he can turn the form around. He won the worst Grade 1 ever over 3m1f at Puchestown and is suddenly a Goliath amongst staying chasers, whilst Flemenstar is a doubtful stayer, even though he is by one of the most successful NH stallions ever in Flemensfirth. Let me think, what else have I read this morning: "SDC is better left handed; SDC wasn't given a hard race in the John Durkan ( and Flemenstar was? He was hands and heels before being eased the last 50 yards). I agree SDC will be fitter today and the longer trip will help him BUT SDC has no gears and his jumping isn't good enough, whereas Flemenstar is the complete package. Gigginstown have even put in a couple of pacemakers to make the running for him
Well I wouldnt call myself a supporter, if I support any horse in the race its Hidden Cyclone, I was all over Flemenstar in the John Durkan as you know, he only had to jump to round, but the circumstances of todays race made Sir Des Champs the call in my book, especially at the prices. If Flemenstar wins today we might be looking at the best horse to come out of Ireland in a long time, to have the speed he has and if he were to stay 3 miles well in soft ground, along with his excellent jumping it would be a frightening armoury, but I have to doubt it until I see it. At this stage I think he is a Ryanair horse, I think 2 1/2 is his trip, he would get away with 3 miles against lesser horses no doubts, but he will be seriously tested today. If he passes the test then we are looking at the next Kauto Star.
They are going to go a proper gallop in this and we will find out if Flemenstar stays. I really hope he does. Its a shame Bobs Worth didnt come over for this but the presence of TIDAL BAY makes it a very interesting UK v Ireland comparison. TIDAL BAY seems to be in the form of his life right now and if it were a handicap he would be giving weight away all round. The gallop and testing conditions will bring his stamina to the fore and if he doesnt get too badly outpaced I can see him coming there strongly at the death when Flemenstar could be treading water. With Bet365 going a 1/4 odds a place its one of those bets to nothing (cue NASS) in my opinion! This cracker really is unmissable!
you were unlucky, I honestly thought it was winning after the last lucky I didnt lay the 50/1 tidal bay either! disappointing result to be honest, the winner is a rogue of the highest order
As you can see I backed him today Boris for the right reasons. Ruby delivered him perfectly today and I personally think he is at his peak now. I have never backed him before as I share your opinion of him, I just convinced myself that the race would be run to suit him perfectly. And it was!
Just got back from friends and I must say first and foremost, tremendous race, and I really thought Flemenstar was going to go on and win 7 or 8 lengths. Such a shame to see him not last home, but he put up a tremendous display of jumping once again and remain a horse with a huge future. Peter Casey can be immensely proud of the horse. What can you say about Tiday Bay though? He must now rate a superb bet for the Gold Cup, especially if it comes up soft (which it surely has to after this winter)?
I'm not at all convinced that stamina was fully to blame Oddy. He looked like winning that by 10 lengths but then after a slow jump at the last he lost all momentum. I personally felt he was in tip top shape on his first two starts and I was surprised that Casey said after those races that he still wasnt fully fit. I wonder if they have overworked him a bit and he's run a bit of a boilover here. I think there would have been warning signs earlier than after jumping the last if it was purely a stamina question. Personally I'd trust the horse, put him away and have him fresh for Cheltenham.
Sounds like they want to for for the Henessey Toppy, based on reports on Sporting Life. I)f that were soft or heavy I'd swerve it though and go straight to Cheltenham. You might be right on the stamina - when I saw him start paddling I thought he would fold completely but at the end he's only been beaten a length or so. I wonder if Andrew Lynch went for home a little soon? Need to watch the race again, not seen a replay yet..................
You're in danger of making excuses for him Toppy lad. He emptied after the last having cruised to the lead on the home turn. We have all suspected that he might not get the trip and my opinion is that is exactly what happened. You would have to be mad to think he were a Gold Cup horse now and with Sprinter Sacre in the two mile division Casey really should aim him at the Ryanair. The Hennessy is next up apparently and its a likely match up against Silviniano Conti. I cant see what Lynch could do differently as he travelled like a dream today before folding. On testing ground he s a non stayer in my book. Could be a good King George horse on decent ground though. Good luck if you keep the faith!
Having watched the replay I think I have to agree with you Stick. I backed him at 9s for the CGC but I'd be amazed if he got 3m2f at Cheltenham. I think he may have got the trip today on better ground but another 2F seems beyond him.
What a race & hardly a surprise considering Tidal Bays run in the Hennessy. Gutted for Flemenstar and i hope connections concentrate on winning the Ryanair, as he hasn't a hope of winning a Gold cup. What did i learn about the GC today? Nicky Henderson will win it! Congrats to anyone on TB today
I know what you mean Stick. Stamina has always been his question mark but I just think he deserves another chance to prove us wrong. He stayed the two and a half miles so well that you have to wonder. I don't know what to think. I suppose only time will tell. I think he should have been allowed to go on earliet and get himself a real lead turning for home. It may well be that he just doesnt see out the 3 miles at the moment.
From RP: However, Flemenstar's trainer suggested his charge could drop back even further than the Ryanair's 2m5f. "Personally I think the Ryanair is a non-entity of a race, and I wouldn't think after that that he's a Gold Cup horse," Casey said. "You need a two and a half miler for the Queen Mother [Champion Chase] and I think that's the race for him. The other fella [Sprinter Sacre] would be quaking in his boots if we turned up." Peter Casey we salute you!
