Mega Fortune just short of the leading two in the race, ran his race all the same. Anibale Fly may as well have stayed home. Surely something amiss there. Still can't get a handle of what they are trying to achieve with him. Just Get Cracking was making a good effort of hitting the frame before being hampered by that last fence melee and ended up in 4th typically. A tricky day but some nice performances around the cards and tomorrow won't be long coming now.
Just had chance to watch Daryl Jacobs appalling ride on Might Bite. 10-15 lengths clear, winning hard held, he decided to use the whip and go whirring at the last fence with almost catastrophic results. He has to go down, for me, as one of the single biggest idiots on the NH scene. Watching him then completely fluff everything up before they reached the first fence on Josses Hill did nothing to endear him to me either. Under instruction to lead, he was caught napping and ended up with his path closed off on the inner by Conti, and on the outside by Thistlecrack. He was then held up stone last behind two of the leading NH staying chasers, and behind a rival who he had dominated from the front last time out. Doesn't belong anywhere near the top table. No clue about rhythm or tactics, and judging by the ride on Might Bite, lacking any trace of common sense.
Great days race with especially with Thistlecrack's scintillating display at Kempton.Just about broke even myself so clean slate going into tomorrow.Totally agree Toppy regarding Jacobs strange decision to charge into the last instead of popping him over and winning eased down.
Late with this, our 'youngsters' over to finish-up the Bubble & Squeak (brilliant). Had to watch a recording of the big one: Congrats to all who were on Thistlecrack, with a special mention to ExoticDancer and, of course, OddDog, who told us about the horse ages ago. Very impressive from a racehorse who is very new to the big obstacles. Well done to the Tizzard team too; a brave decision to run both their top charges. Me? Oh I backed Cue Card for a place only............I learnt from the Master........................ Now to 'Tatort' - Scene of the Crime - on ARD TV.
I think Thistlecrack could win any race he wanted to over hurdles or fences, he could probably win an Ascot Gold Cup either. The only thing that I'd be slightly concerned about in the Gold Cup is the hustle and bustle of a bigger field. With only 5 runners today he had the advantage of getting a clear sight at every fence, and he may not get that in the Gold Cup. Even though he won so easily today, I have to admit I was on edge with how over exuberant he jumps. You get the feeling he could bank a fence at any time. Let's hope he doesn't but it would be a small concern particularly on an undulating track like Cheltenham. I wonder wether they'll get another run into him before the Gold Cup just to sharpen up his jumping a little.
Completely agree Shergar. He showed an exceptional engine today and his jumping is both a real asset when he gets it right, but a worry if he were to measure one wrong. The ups and downs of Cheltenham do really worry me. I wouldn't play him at these prices now but I really hope he goes and wins it for Colin Tizzard and the team. Today was quite a performance and he was value for a good bit more than the winning margin. Coneygree we assume will make it a jumping test at Cheltenham if he gets there in March and that will place emphasis on the jumping. But with his engine he doesn't need to stand off too many- perhaps they can teach him to settle and pop over quietly and economically in time. I'd think one run between now and March to keep building experience?
What a day, came back in small profit but I put a small fortune on Cue Card. But thistlecrack was imperious, I turned to the missus with 3 fences to go and said it's over.
Well I think the price is a fair one, if he gets there safe and sound and jumps round then he wins, it's as simple as that. There doesn't seem to be a lot that can touch him on today's evidence. Coneygree and Cue Card aren't good enough to trouble him, whilst Gordon Elliot is going to need a training miracle to get Don Cossack there in any sort of form, and as much as I love the Don it's hard to see him living with a flying machine like that. Yeah one run should be fine, he's winning his races with such ease anyways, that he doesn't need a long break to recover. Today's race wasn't much more than an exercise canter for him.
the over exuberant jumping is an issue , and in the gold cup with a big field things could be very different , no doubting his ability and potential , but there were one or two alarming jumps today which could have gone wrong , and Cheltenham is a very different test .......the runners up today all finished in a heap, granted his winning margin could have been greater , but let's hope all the main protagonists make the start line .....
Thistlecrack really could be anything but I wouldn't want to go overboard on today's bare form. Cue Card can't have run anywhere his race being in a photo with S Conti (who he beat completely out of sight at Haydock a few weeks back) and with a handicapper right on top of him in third. In fact it was more or less a heaped finish behind Thistlecrack whose superiority on this particular day was clear to see but I just can't be taking this form seriously when the only other Grade One animal underperformed so much. Having said that I certainly wouldn't mind being on him at the 7/1 he was for it preseason
Well I think Cue Card probably did run his race, I think he is just better round Haydock than he is round Kempton. You also have to factor in that Cue Card tried to serve it up to Thistlecrack which ment the others took advantage and got closer, had Thistlecrack not been in the race, I'm sure he would have beat the others with more authority. Let's not forget that Silviniaco Conti is still a very good horse on his day, and we know how good Paul Nicholls can be at getting an older horse to peak for a big race. I wouldn't really take a negative view of the form myself. Tea For Two and Josses Hill have still won Graded races, so they are hardly handicappers.
What are ya making of this Future Champions Novice hurdle tomorrow there Beefy? Is Riven Light a decent price now at 11/4 or worth taking him on...It looks a nice race.
He gave up his last 2 rides which I assumed was down to celebrations starting in earnest after notching the milestone. But no, he twisted his knee badly attempting a Dettori style flying dismount after winning on Kentford Myth.
If that's true then it's slightly funny, in a good way. Thornton not realise he's about a foot and 3 stone heavier than Dettori still, if he's gonna chance it, then on your 1000th win is the way to do it. A good story for the grandchildren as they say! It's a fair achievement for him given his size, I imagine he has had an extremely tough battle his whole career keeping weight etc down. Extreme commitment and well deserved.
