That race is very interesting in regards how this years Gold Cup would have panned out had Cue Card stood up. Even in this race at Aintree Cue Card is travelling better towards the end of the race, but the Don finds a lot more and sees him off easily. That's what would have happened had Cue Card stood up in this years Gold Cup. The Tizzards can cry all they like, but the result would have been the same as it always has been when both horses get round. It's 2-0 to the Don when both complete
Don Cossack would have won that KG had he jumped, he was gaining all the time on Cue Card before the fall. As I say 2-0 to the Don when both complete 3-1 to the Don overall! EOS
It might well be that he still isnt a typical Gold Cup horse, The Don, Cue Card and Vautour were just just so far above the rest that it didnt matter, thats why I think Vautour had a chance, Don Poli and Carlingford Lough were more Gold Cup types but couldnt live with the class of horses capable of winning G1s at 2m4. Just a shame Coneygree and Vautour didnt run and that Cue Card fell, could have been a great race.
It wouldn't have made any difference, Coneygree won a poor Gold Cup.Whilst Vautour wouldn't stay the trip in a horse box. Just as I said to everyone right after last years festival when they where tipping him up as a Gold Cup contender.
Coneygree was only a novice tho, looked an absolute machine on his only run this season, and on King George form Vautour would have been going just as well as Cue Card late into the race, the race fell into Don Cossacks lap really.
Coneygree was all out to beat Djakadam, and Road To Riches, 2 horses Don Cossack has beaten a lot further. Cue Card has lost everytime he and Don Cossack have completed, whilst Vautour doesn't even stay 3 miles at Kempton against Cue Card. So what's your point?
Trapped epiglottis anyone? Cue Card 2014/15 season: 4524 Cue Card 2015/16 season: 111F In the summer he was diagnosed as having a trapped epiglottis which was successfully operated. Using that Aintree race as a formline to what might have happened had he stood up in the CGC conveniently ignores that fact. Just saying like
Everyones got there crystal balls out here I see! No doubt if Vautour had have fell 2 out in the King George everyone would have been certain he'd have won, more so even than CC in the GC! When Conti fell 3 out in his first GC the crystall ball brigade were sure he'd have won yet history showed he never went up the hill too well... You'd have to question what CC would have had left, as he was going very freely till he ended up on the deck. The way Cossack stormed up the hill I'd have been very surprised should CC have finished stronger tbh.
Agreed, Don Cossack was a worthy winner and would probably have beaten CC. Just couldn't be having the Aintree race in the discussion.
Think Aintrees pretty close with Cheltenham this year mind you. Hope it's Punchestown, give us the race the people want Thistlecrack being cited for both by the Tizzaarrrddddd. Way he wins he could do them both on the same day and not blow out a candle mind you
I would certainly think Cue Card had the harder race at Cheltenham, despite not having to come up the hill. Loved the way Thistlecrack powered up the hill though. Really looking forward to him going chasing next season. Hope he does go Aintree and Punchestown this year first though. I wonder if we'll see Scudamore sticking to the outside at Punchy, avoid getting boxed in again
If the intention is to go for the Gold Cup next year with Thistlecrack, why not send him novice chasing now, no point wasting more time in hurdles races, as he's already won the one that matters most.
Some easy Grade 1 money? Maybe they'll want to give him more schooling and start him on easier ground too. No need to rush, as Coneygree showed.
Coneygree won a poor Gold Cup having galloped the living day lights off the field but Don Cossacks 4 and a half length defeat of the same horse in second is light years further forward in form terms? quit trying to prove why you were right all those times your man lost. The only sad thing this year was that the Champ wasn't there to defend his crown and that Vautour didn't line up on that ground.
Oddy's point is the most valid i think. Cue Card is a different animal this year so comparing the form from previous years doesn't hold up well. He has a new lease of life since the op. Don Cossack won on the day, debating any other outcome is only pure speculation based on which horse you are more in favour of. Two fantastic horses. Arkle would have gave them both weight and a beating on any ground with any jockey (Pendleton incl.) <run>
