Couldn't disagree more mate. Rafa got destroyed on clay by Andy last month. Rafa then got hammered by Novak in the French. If he's getting hammered on the surface he's been supreme on how do you reckon he can beat Murray on Andy's preferred surface. Andy will EASILY put Rafa out, that's if Rafa gets that far which is questionable. Don't take this the wrong way smokey but are YOU on grass never mind the players <bandit>
I guess we'll see won't we but I'm man enough to admit when I'm wrong so let's wait and see what happens
Fair do s smokey For the record I was one of those who always said Murray will never win Wimbledon, he's a bottler etc but the guys totally changed my opinion of him and i think Lendl was a big factor in making him improve the 3-5% he had to. Rafa's always been my favorite though, he's just a top man but it'll take a miracle IMO for him to win another slam outside the French. Agree with cityhull Serena at 13/8 is the bet for Wimbledon.
I've always liked Murray and still do, he's also a massive boxing fan which is a plus in my opinion, i just don't think he's got the natural ability of Rafa, Roger or Novak on any surface
I've always been a Federer fan, the guy was on another level to anyone I've seen at his peak. He was better at every single shot in the book than all of his opponents, and he made it look so easy. Plus he's a class act off the court. So although I won't be having a bet, il be rooting for Federer
What a night Adam Kirby has had at Windsor. 3,465/1 four timer.. 6/1, 5/1, 9/2 and 14/1 in the last. Pyrocumulus was his winner in the last. I was thinking of backing it but something clouded my judgement so I left the race alone.
Murray one of the best defensive players on any surface. For him to have played at the level on clay that he has is massive progress. To win a 2nd Wimbledon he has to be more of an aggressor at the right times. He will always create chances but I want to see a ruthless Andy, especially on his own serve. Djokovic is fav because the man is made of iron. Nadal used to be like that but fitness is taken on trust right now. Federer is an all time great and plays majestically at his best, but he surely cannot beat Murray and Djok over 5 sets- he'd have to blast them out with 3 or 4 magic sets I think. On a side note, why the **** arent more people having a smash at the Eclipse prize money? We moan about prize money and then send 5 horses to a midsummer Group 1
I know it is ridiculous Top Class, you'd have thought a few others would have gone for the Eclipse. I think they are running scared of the Derby winner, and this is the reason for the poor turnout. As much as I rate Golden Horn, Derby winners can often get overhyped and then flop NTO, we've seen it happen many times. So I'm suprised a few others aren't having a crack at him, particularly first time against the older generation
I think this is a good test against Grey Gatsby but I doubt I'm alone at wondering where on earth any pace is going to come from? You'd have thought the Ballydoyle juggernaut might have sent one or two more to have a go. Still think they missed a major tric on not letting Australia race at 4. He could have had a Tatterstalls Gold Cup, Prince Of Wales, and Eclipse entries and surely 2 from 3 there would really cement his ability. Still think he would have always proved best at a mile and a half and would have gone Tatterstalls Gold Cup, Eclipse, King George, and Arc (if suitable ground).
The pace would be something that would concern me if I was backing Golden Horn at short odds. Coming from off the pace as he has done thus far in his career is never ideal off a slowly run race. We seen at Epsom that he hit a flat spot before staying on strongly, and the Dante was run at a very good gallop. I still think he'll win, but it could cause him a few problems. I agree The Grey Gatsby is no mug either, he should really have won the POW, he's for me the best older horse over 10 furlongs around. As far as Australia's retirement, had Coolmoore come to there senses earlier Australia may have gone unbeaten throughout his career, but unfortunately they allowed a lad with the talent of an amateur to ride him instead of Ryan Moore. The Guineas defeat is questionable wether Moore could have got a little more out of him, but the defeat in the Irish Champion stakes definitely wouldn't have happened with a proper jockey on board. A very good horse he was, and I can almost believe O'Brien when he says he was his best, even though he says it every year. But you can understand why he was retired, having already had an injury and being worth 50k a time at stud, it made no sense from a business point of view to risk him at 4. Us fans would have rather seen him race on, but sadly money always talks. Most colts who stay in training at 4 with the exception of Frankel, do so because they weren't good enough at 3 to be a big financial asset as a stallion. Australia with the races he won, and his unbelievable pedigree was never going to fall into that category
Western Hymm will probably make it, can't imagine anything will have the gears to match Golden Horn. Could it be possible that Frankie goes from the front, winds it up up the long home straight.
I'm not sure they'd risk completely new tactics on an unbeaten Derby winner, but we will see. I think your probably right about Western Hym doing the donkey work up front though
He's miles better than this lot barring The Grey Gatsby although that one was probably timed to the second to win at Ascot only for that plan to fall to pieces a furlong or two from home. I wouldn't change tactics.
