Well we have 10 declared at this stage; Bobs Worth- 2/1 Silviniaco Conti- 5/2 Dynaste- 5/1 Cue Card- 7/1 Tiday Bay- 9/1 Long Run- 10/1 The Giant Bolster- 12/1 Roi Du Mee- 14/1 PDB- 25/1 Cloudy Too- 40/1 Some have called this a "Mini Gold Cup." We have last years champ, the Gold Cup Winner, the 2 time King George winner, the Lexus winner and the Ryanair Winner. IMO this will be the milestone for Dynaste season, his only blemish last season was when second in last season's Jewson Novices'Chase at the Festival, but he bounced back at Aintree the following month when winning the Mildmay Novices' Chase. Hes won at this track before over the hurdles and in heavy ground. It is interesting they have gone for this, rather than the PPGC last week this is surely a test to see if he can put up with the big 3m boys. Noel Feihly takes the on SC - which is interesting he has won on him before but hes not Ruby. Bobs Worth - never run at this track but its left handed so should have no problem with it not to mention he's 7lbs clear of his nearest rival. Cue Card who was slightly disappointing at Exeter lto- but would have surely come on for that race and the 3m this season surely wont be a problem. Tidal Bay it wouldnt be the biggest shock if he was to run a huge race like the lexus win last year. Long Run connections were puzzled at his run @ wetherby but, you never back him on his 1st run- altho I do every year but he will come on for that run and surely 10/1 is way too big for 2 time king george and Gold Cup winner and only been out the 1st 3 once! He is a class horse and has the ability to beat this field. But surely if Bobs Worth runs he wins- He's got around 7lbs+ in hand with most of these and let's not forget he won first time out 12 months ago when winning the Hennessy - add in that he's only had 12 career starts so, believe it or not, there actually could be even more to come from this tough and consistent 8 year-old. My Selections- Bobs Worth - 2/1 Long Run - 10/1 e/w
Wooly I am going this Saturday to watch, I am actually trying to get to fridays meet as well if I can, and cant wait...!!! Gotta agree with what you've said on Bobs Worth and it should be really great to get to see him in the flesh. Im not so sure that your 2nd pick of Long Run be looking to push him or come 2nd, even if he dosnt run well on re-appearance... I suppose Sir Barney will say that if any one can get Long Run ready for this then ole Nicky is yer man, but im not sure he can this time... Dynaste, Sil Conte or Cue Card will have there say but its hard to get away from Big Bad Bob...!!! Bob to win, Dynaste to get 2nd...
The extra furlong will certainly favour Bobs Worth but Tidal Bay at 9/1 must be the e/w value call here
Silviniaco for me - Was going well in The Cheltenham Gold Cup when falling 3 out, that fall probably took its toll and I don't believe he was at his best in the bowl. I think he will put his Gold Cup credentials on the line this Saturday
Get on Bobs Worth The slightly longer than normal trip at Haydock will help He's got a great record when fresh, won Hennessey 1st time up last November He's the reigning gold cup champ Has 7lb+ in hand Never been beaten once he's got his head in front Easy Tidal Bay for 2nd place, that long straight home will play to his strengths
I'll be very keen to see how Cloudy Too shapes up. Don't for one second think he has any shot of winning but will be interested to see how he runs at this level. Always liked him, think he has a fair engine and I do think he's better than a handicapper. He'd do very well to nab a place at best.
Will be great to see the reigning Gold Cup winner back in action, hopefully we will get to see him in more action this season. It is shaping up to be a belter as well. Bobs Worth is a proper "Rolls Royce" horse, who seems to be getting better and better. Saying that though Tidal Bay did run an absolute stormer in the Hennessey last season off top weight and giving weight away to Bobs Worth. 9/1 does look generous TBH, not too sure if age has caught up with him. If it hasn't...........then let BATTLE COMMENCE!
Have a great time red! I am going to the tingle creek and I can't wait but dynaste to come second I find it hard to see I reckon this season he will go down the Ryanair route IMO he won't be good enuff this yr if at all
This will be a ‘no bet’ contest for me as I think those bookie chappies have got the race about right. To my eye it looks a straight contest between Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti and as both, on Saturday, will be on seasonal debut and have far, far, far bigger targets later in the campaign I wouldn’t want to support either at the prices offered as to some extent you will be guessing on their well being and condition. Re Long Run. If I was being cynical I would say he is only running in order to get his perch down (currently 171) so that he can get a nice weight in the Grand National. However, as his connections are Mr Henderson and the Mr Waley-Cohen’s such skulduggery will, of course, have never entered the heads of these 3 wise men.
I think Barney has called this right - don't see the winner being out of the front 2 in the betting. however I can't personally desert Bobs Worth - he has won me a stack of money at the last couple of Cheltenham festivals and I will be backing him again come Saturday.
This is going to be an absolute cracker and I must say I'm really pleased for Haydock that they have such a tremendous field. There was the danger that this race would slide into anonymity after the Kauto Star era but this field confirms that this is a very coveted prize. I can't wait
Agree with you Oddy. It was only the fact that in recent runnings there have been small fields that I went instead for the Fixed Brush for the SSC comp. That said even if all. 8 go to post I can't see beyond the first two in the betting!
Bob's Worth is the BEST horse in this and is still an under-rated animal in my view. But backing Nicky's better horses first time out this year has been the express path to the poor house (well, that and following my jailcases ) and I'm safe in saying Cheltenham is very much his ideal place so I'd have my massive doubts about him for his race. Silvi Conti was probably flattered last year under sublime Ruby Walsh rides. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that Cue Card still remains something of a hype horse to many people and furthermore I wouldn't fancy him over an extended 3 miles. Tidal Bay is such an enigma I always look forward to his runs! Loves a slog and a trip and he'll be staying on better than anything bit will it all be too late? Given a masterful ride by Ruby in last year's Lexus, if the same partnership remained intact you'd have been even more sweet on his chances, granted young STD () done very well the last day on him, but over fences is another story! Long Run's only in to make the running for Bob's Worth, bless him. Roi du mee could be still overlooked despite his Grade One win the last time, the form of which is probably iffy but that's been factored into his 18 / 20s quote which could pay dividends for the value-seekers amongst you. The Giant Bolster shouldn't be up to winning this hot contest. I think DYNASTE is being massively done a disservice in this thread and whilst he has plenty of improving to do he's young and sure to be improving and I can easily see him make the frame in this.
Cannot wait for tomorrow's feast of top racing......could we potentially be calling tomorrow SUPER SATURDAY?!
I am looking forward to the racing tomorrow.... its a shame only 3 line up for the Amlin chase at Ascot. Thats such a poor turnout! Was hoping Williams Wishes was gonna line up ... Still to this race and I am gonna take a chance with Dynaste...I think he's a very exciting prospect and is proven on the track also so he'll do for me! I m not sure Bobs Worth will find Haydock as much to his likeing as some of the other galloping tracks - Haydock being flat although I read the fences are stiffer this season. Silvinaco Conti looked awesome in this race last year so I could be making a bad mistake but will he be back to his absoilute best after his experiences end of last season and the absence of Ruby in the saddle. Long Run I just cant have although I can see him running a big race. I dont see Cue Card hitting the first 3 .. The others are out of it for me! I reckon we are gonna see 2 horses tomorrow to lay down their credentials for the King George - Dynaste and Al Ferof.
