I read that and it seems bonkers to me. The Champion Chase would appear to be his for the taking so why would they go up in trip at this stage? The Black Aeroplane will be 11 by then and surely can't win it again can he?
They said they were always planning on stepping him up in trip a month or so ago. The King George looks to be perfect for him, sharp track and the bare three miles. Thistlecrack wont run in it against Cue Card so he may not have too many top class hores to beat. They can always come back in trip with him if they want. If he shapes like a stayer they can send Vroom Vroom Mag to the Champion Chase
Maybe next season but I would have thought the Champion Chase is the more likely and easier target in 2017. Unlike the Vautour reroute travesty last March it's a top table race too.
He didnt say he would send Douvan to the King George - he said he would consider it and it wouldnt even be a consideration if Vautour was alive. It sounded much more likely VVM would be aimed at the race but he said both would need a run beforehand and the KG wouldnt be their main targets.
Tom Segal has had his say on the 2016 ‘King George VI Chase’ today in ‘The Weekender’. Calls it a ‘very weak’ race and urges his followers to get on Tea For Two each-way at 33/1. The course specialist is 3/3 at the track (including at Grade 1 level). Bit of interest on Oddschecker and as low as 20’s now in places but 33/1 still readily available.
Placed my first ante post bet today - a very small stakes e/w yankee: Champion Hurdle - Sceau Royal 16/1 Champion Chase - Ar Mad 20/1 Ryanair Chase - Sub Lieutenant 14/1 Triumph Hurdle - Defi Du Seuil 14/1 I'll be happy if all 4 of them make it to those races but for €11 it adds a bit of long-range interest (51 grand if they all win )
Ar Mad at 20/1 is very good price would much rather take then the 6's on offer for Fox Norton who yes won well today but 100% will not be winning a champion chase ever!!
Looks like on Sunday we will get some idea at least on who Willie is thinking about going down the champion hurdle route but then again on the slim chance he chucks both in (which I know he will never do) them Xmas has come early
First Ante Post bet of the year today: Movewiththetimes - Supreme 40/1 I was really taken with how he jumped and travelled in the trial on Sunday, he was keen and kept out jumping the whole field at every hurdle. With a better gallop which is guaranteed in the opener going to suit him i can see him picking up a couple races before this. They will need to run once more to get a handicap mark, which i can then see them going for the Betfair hurdle(connections did same with MTOY) before finishing 2nd in Supreme.
Wasn't on here on Saturday but just have to say on here (as I don't see a Gold Cup thread) what sort of a legend old CUE CARD is. Since I done my nuts on him in the Supreme all those years back, I've opposed him far too often and wrongfully thought he was a bit soft but these last two seasons he's just been a class act, showing incredible talent combined to no shortage of heart. I actually thought Coneygree would beat him in the Betfair (thankfully a no bet race for me) but CUE CARD yet again proved me wrong. Absolute joy to watch a 3 miler travel like he does, not many can, and he just seems to win with a bit in the tank after a relentless 3 mile in testing ground. How the hell is he not Gold Cup jolly now? He's available at TWICE the price of his stable mate Thistlecrack at 7/1, madness....
I’m sure a lot of it, re Cue Card, is stat driven. A horse aged 11 or older ain’t won the CGC since 1969. What A Myth some might cry. But no a horse aged 11+ ain't won a CGC since 1969.
Have to agree Beefy, I watched back his 2 bumper victories on youtube yesterday and even then Colin Tizzard was saying what a very special horse he is. To win what he has in all spheres (bumpers, hurdles, chases at all trips) is amazing, and then look at some of his defeats - 2nd to Sprinter Sacre in an Arkle and a Melling Chase, beaten in the last stride by Bobs Worth in a novice chase. Amazing horse.
What a position for Tizzard to be in (or is it) if CC wins the King George he will be in line for the £1mill bonus as well know if he also wins at Cheltenham- but obv Tizzard also has TC as the Fav and could be anything as we are yet to see him challenged over fences! Would Colin do a Willie Mullins with Vautour Can you imagine if both line up the two jumping the last in motion who would Colin be rooting for(silly question I know!!)
Threw a cheeky tenner on the below;pays a juicy 100/1 if she comes which she wont but what the hell Fanny Power to win CH Faugheen to win World Hurdle Douvan to win Champ Chase On the Fringe to win Foxhunters
Think we saw the Mares Novice Hurdle winner today. Augusta Kate. I snapped up 8/1 pre-race but still 7/1 available with Betfred and Totesport. Can't see anything around to trouble her, the daughter of the mighty mare Fethard Lady looks to have the world at her feet. The acorn certainly doesn't fall from the tree! For once I'd even say the general shortening off around a point on her pre race price was an example where the books didn't overreact as is the norm. I guess the fact Closutton have around the first 20 in the market worked in keeping her a sensible price. Whatever is Mullins best mare wins it, it's as simple as that and I see Augusta Kate being a good bit better than Airlie Beach, Asthuria, Lets Dance et al...She did run fifth in the Champion Bumper after all, that's very strong form in the context of the mares novice.
Beefy, do you think he will set her sights higher? I think she could have the neptune or Albert Bartlett with some allowances to pick up that grade 1 instead of the grade 2 of the mares.
Already asked the question on the daily thread - could she be Willie's World Hurdle horse? Load of ****e likely to be running in that race TBH,
