Is on Saturday Thought the 5-1 with Bet 365 on Capezzano was fair As has been impressive going 3/3 in the Carnival this winter
I went for Thunder Snow at 5/1, he was disappointing last time out but I felt he may bounce back today and go out there and make all. In the Dubai Gold Cup I am on Cross Counter at 9/1, I backed him as soon as I heard the race was his early season target and he's generally 7/4 now. Stablemate Ispolini dotted up last time but the favourite that day broke down and was fatally injured and some of these Meydan races don't pan out. Head's horse needs respecting but I thought Cross Counter was impressive in the Melbourne Cup win and he seems able to kick in his races. I'll leave the rest of the card and reflect on having Blue Point at 15/2 for the Al Quoz last year before he was pulled out less than a minute before the off and watch him hose up unbacked this season.
Even though I much prefer jumps racing, I do like the big flat races - Guineas, Derby / Oaks, Royal Ascot, Eclipse, King George, International, Arc etc but this Dubai World Cup is just pathetic (not least for the money on offer). Didn't Mark Johnston win it with some Group 3 animal the other year? Top-rated horse in the field 122 says it all. Just goes to show that throwing money at it doesn't automatically give you great sport.
Trainer says they may go to the Ascot Gold Cup with Cross Counter. He didn't seem to be stopping today and I thought he did it well, looking like he would always overhaul Ispolini. The World Cup is not a race I like but Thunder Snow usually puts a good effort in and he may pull the double off after winning it last year. Cross Counter was 12/1 for the Ascot Gold Cup after his win today but has been cut to 8/1 and as low as 5/1 in places.
Thunder Snow has now won over £12 million in prize money. £4K from his maiden win at Leicester, €0.5 million from his couple of Group 1s in France and the rest in Emirati monopoly money. Gronkowkski was only a flared nostril away from making Maktoum get his chequebook out.
