Nicholls has said the horse will not run if he's not 100%, and he also said KS has not missed any work. So if he runs and he is beaten I hope the winner is given credit, rather than the usual nonsense about KS not being 100%, an excuse that's been churned out in all 3 of his Gold Cup defeats
What's the difference between an explanation and an excuse? please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
An explanation is the word used if said statement supports your argument. It is an excuse if it doesn't. Good to have you back Ron.
Nicholls is the master of excuses so we are sure to hear the usual claptrap. Good to see you back Ron. I myself had a two month sabbatical due to a terrible start to 2012.
That's one thing that realy grinds my gears about Paul Nicholls. I remember when Imperial Commander and KS shared a photo finish in the Betfair chase. Nicholls rather than give IC the credit he deserved, came out with a load of old tosh about Haydock not suiting KS. IC then proved that running KS to a photo was no fluke, by winning the Gold Cup and the following years Betfair Chase, making Nicholls comments look incredibly stupid. Not to mention the fact KS is 4 from 5 at Haydock in G1s
Yes Shergar, that was a cracker (as the late Frank Carson would say!). Nicholls achievements speak for themselves but he certainly lacks a bit of class. Hard to imagine the likes of Fred Winter or Henry Cecil running down the opposition in that way. KS has proved he can go on any course - flat, undulating, left or right handed - so the Haydock excuse was plain daft.
Sorry to hear you had a horrible start to 2012 Fulkes. Hopefully the remaining 10 months will be kinder.
It's not inconceivable that beating Long Run twice since, at the age of 11, indicates that something was amiss last year. PN said that had the GC been a month away there would have been no problem. So, unfortunately, unless KS runs, and wins, the GC (which is unlikely) there will be yet more for his critics to nibble at. If ideally he needs a month then, personally, I would rather he gave it a miss. It was the first time in his life he had fallen at home and whilst that may mean nothing it creates a niggling doubt.
I'm not convinced he was that below par last year, I think in last seasons KG it was mudlark ground, so it became more of a test of stamina rather than speed, and we all know Long Run stays all day. It probably didnt help either that McCoy was in the saddle. I think at Cheltenham he ran his race, and was travelling the best turning in, he just didn't get up the hill, because of the track record pace they set
I very reluctantly accept that Shergar. The extra 2 fur, especially at Cheltenham, may just be a step too far unless the race is run to suit. It was also the undoing of another favourite of mine, the very classy Pendil.
