Amazing performance by Sprinter Sacre, certainly the best performance I've seen. I'd like to see SBC's ol man brush up the ol boys jumping however. Maybe a little trip to that Yogi fella will sort him out.
He seems to have become a little fiddly over his fences in his last 2 starts. He didnt make any major errors today, but there were a few that weren't up to his usual standards. His jumping display in the Arkle last year was one of the best I've ever seen, and in other races this year like the Tingle Creek and VC chase he was brilliant. Maybe a trip to Yogi might do him good, get him jumping like last years Arkle every race
I'm no expert on equine vetinary care, but id assume his breathing must be fine, or he wouldn't be able to run aswell as he does. His engine is pretty much limitless
I think it would help greatly. did you hear him blowing after the race? Didn't sound right to me and the lad kept looking at his mouth. Like you though, i am far from an expert in this field.
40/1 flutter on the last at Dundalk on Grainne Whale who has shown glimpses of promise in the past and Ross Coakley hangs around for one ride at 9:20pm!
They did go one hell of a gallop in that race, in an attempt to draw the sting out of SS. That's why Flemenstar finished 23 lengths behind the winner, and 19 behind Cue Card. In a normally run race I think Flemenstar would only go down 6 or 7 lengths to Cue Card, but the way the race panned out Flemenstar just couldn't go on. It was quite remarkable how well even Cue Card galloped on off the back of that pace nevermind Sprinter Sacre who didn't even come off the bridle. So in conclusion I'd say he was entitled to blow a fair bit, that was one tough race even if he did make it look easy. Cue Card is one hell of a competitor, and deserves massive plaudits aswell
Credit where it's due KS but I thought you were off your head saying SS would have to give Flemenstar 2 stone for it to be competitive but on today's performance you weren't far off the money.
Cheers chaninbar. The Irish form is very poor, the day I seen a 12 year old Tidal Bay beat the usual bunch in Ireland who've been racing each other every month, Flemenstar, Sir Des Champs and First Lieutenant I knew they were all very average. I know First Lieuntenant won yesterday, but he didnt beat alot, The Giant Bolster and an over the top Silviniaco Conti, who should never have even been in the race. Though that's Paul Nicholls for you, he did the same with Kauto and Denman, notice Nicky Henderson wouldn't risk any of his stars in the bowl after the Gold Cup
Just watched the race again and SS won it far easier than i first thought.Hats off to CC though,he proved he is a horse of the very highest calibre and ran the race of his life.
its not that he was breathing heavily that i'm getting at. they all were. It was the sound. Your handicap was right although maybe flemenstar needs dropping a few pounds. lol. Don't forget SDC was a gallant second in the blue ribbon though.
Trouble with Flemenstar is they've fannied about with over 3 miles but IMHO haven't confirmed he doesn't stay. In the Irish Hennessy he got beat less than 2 lengths by the GC runner up when suffering with a lung infection (allegedly) and being ridden in a style that doesn't suit him either. I don't believe he'd stay the GC trip but maybe Kempton on soft on Boxing Day could be his thing. He jumps superbly.
I agree he could win a KG on decent ground, he proved to me today off that gallop that he does have plenty of stamina. He will no doubt get another shot at the KG as I can't see the Tizzards wanting to take on SS again. My only concern is will he ever get his ground in the KG, it's run in December, and I don't think he'll ever stay strongly enough over 3 to win in the mud
I'm not convinced it was a particularly strong Gold Cup, I think the winners good, but the ones in behind weren't great. Bobs Worth is a battler, he'll never run away with a race. I don't really see SDC doing alot in the future
I don't think Flemenstar doesn't stay 3 miles, I think he's just all round average at all distances between 2-3 miles. His usual opponents SDC and First Lieutenant are just better 3 milers, and improve, that's what make some people think Flemenstar doesn't stay, when In actual fact it's his opposition improving for the trip
I don't disagree. He's not flashy though, he'll only do what he has to do to win. He's not a horse that travels well in his races. Quite often he's off the bridle early, but he is such a battler that he will run himself into the ground to come home infront. He has the heart of a lion, that is his biggest weapon
Shergs I'm the opposite in this scenario actually- I think Sir Des Champs will win next years Gold Cup emphatically. I know it sounds ridiculous. It is hard to explain why I have that gut instinct. Some people will point to him running out of gas due to his very tired final 100 yards. I personally think it is nonsense and he was ridden pretty aggressively and prevailed in a stamina duel with Long Run after harassing each other for 3 miles. When Bobs Worth joins and passes, Sir Des Champs actually starts to rally but by that time its too late with Bobs Worth who simply stays and stays. SDC is a horse a jockey has to really understand. He is a lazy, lazy sod who will only hit top gear when you make him know you want him to hit top gear. That actually benefits his stamina in the early parts of races because he doesn't over exert himself. However the difficult thing was that McCoy was on him for the first time and he was nudging and feeling his way with the horse, who responded every time when asked. When he got past Long Run he was on the bridle and that was McCoys crucial mistake. You should never, ever sit tight on that horse thinking you are going well because he will relax again. Of course the other issue is that it was guaranteed that Bobs Worth would stay on strongly, and McCoy- by not asking Sir Des Champs to kick clear- allowed Bobs Worth back into the race, and from then on there is only one winner. I think with a slightly further sit- say in 3rd or 4th- Sir Des Champs could take it up three quarters of a mile out and just go and stretch them all out. He had everything in serious trouble but didn't go and finish them off. I think Russell and Mullins will know this and I actually think whilst disappointed, Mullins walked away from Cheltenham knowing he has a proper Gold Cup horse on his hands.
I have to admit that at one stage Flemenstar was jumping superbly and SS wasn't and I was worried that his relative jumping might lose him the race. Then, all of a sudden, it was all over and he was being eased up. As I have said before, if he could jump like Pendil he would be so good that he would have to be considered at least the equal of Arkle and Flyingbolt. I was surprised to read that BG thought he was getting a bit tired. Didn't look like it to me. They seemed to be going very fast to me but the time doesn't support that.
