I know it's a total different ball game than what he's beaten up so far but I am quite keen on Ttebbob to lower Douvans colours in the novice chase at Leopardstown this Saturday. I really think if he jumps as soundly as he has done on his first two chase starts then Douvan could well be taken out of his comfort zone and his jumping really tested. It looks as though 20 furlongs may even suit Ttebbob better down the line but at 6/1 I am more interested now than the 4/7 Douvan.
As someone who only bets occasionally on the jumps and so not really up with it as much as I would be on the flat, can I ask the jumps lads on here why Cue Card is even being considered as the winner of the King George? to me it looks a cracking renewal, and I can't see why cue card should win, he always runs in the race but never wins and this years looks the hardest he has tackled. I was going to back Vautour and thought he was a big price, but I keep hearing so many people talking about cue card as if he could go off favourite!
Looks a different horse this season blue and folks are putting this down to his breathing operation - look how he stopped with the race at his mercy in 2013. Certainly looked the business so far this term and I think Paddy Brennan must take some credit too. Is a major player but the race just feels like one to watch and enjoy.
Imo he is not really a true G1 3miler - his stamina will always be in doubt look at previous King Georges he has gone out like a light - the breathing op maybhave sorted that and his performances this year has shown that it has but I worry about him getting the gold cup trip especially going up that hill not taking anything away from him as I am a huge huge fan of the horse and is shame he is running in to the 2 potential Irish superstars this week. Ok yes he has beaten the English best 3milers this year but he still has abit to prove against the two at the top of the market and Conti who comes to his own round here- to state himself at the top. But if he wins Saturday that will be the evidence needed to prove 2013 was All in the past
It's just a terrific race- the fact that Cue Card was so good last time out just adds to the race depth. The two young Irish pretenders to the crown look real top class, Cue Card was electric at Haydock, Conti is going for the hat trick and has a strong Kempton record, and Al Ferof did his usual job of winning impressively on reappearance to remind you just how far the depth of this race stretches. If Vautour jumps straight I think he probably wins- he will be making ground at most fences that way but if he doesn't, and he lets it become a battle, who knows?
He won't jump straight though. Very hard race to get right to my eye. I hope Vautour wins for the legacy but with my Cheltenham punting hat on I hope he loses because we'll be getting a meaty price in March if he ends up tailed off.
Would be nice to see Rashaan progress into the potential star he has looked so far. A small trainer, small owner with a rubbish ex flat horse scaling the heights...Proves you can succeed without lorryloads of horses. Lovely to see. I see old boy Sam Twiston Davies choosing to ride Old Guard over TNO in the Christmas Hurdle! A kick in the teeth to supporters of TNO when the believer has jumped ship!
Four in that race, Douvan, Sizing John, Ttebob and Velvet Maker. As a lover of novice chasers I'd bleeding well nearly have this the race of the day! I'm hoping Ttebob brings out the best in Douvan going a zillion miles an hour upfront and we see a real novice star emerge. If he wins this well he's understandably going to go **** short for the Arkle.
Having just learned the news that STD has jumped off THE NEW ONE, I have put him in my treble with TEA FOR TWO and CUE CARD. Also put in SIZING JOHN to make up a Lucky 15. Going to be a great days racing.
Bob question, if Vatour does get beat/smashed aren't you scared they'll just go for the Ryanair instead of the big 1? Can't complain at having touchy Fehily on board TNO, aslong as they dont let Faugheen have his on way uo front like Cheltenham otherwise its a no contest.
Vautour will stay 100% round Kempton, I'd be flabbergasted if he couldn't. Could have went round Cheltenham again after the JLT so 3m round this flat track is within his compass. The Gold Cup's another matter altogether but we'll learn plenty on Saturday.
I don't believe Ricci has another Ryanair horse so if Djakadam stays sound surely Vautour is going Ryanair
