It's hard to say unless they race. Ruby always said he was a stayer with the requisite speed(hence the front running ride in the Supreme). I always wonder had Vautour had stood up last Christmas and won, would he have gone to an Arkle? Whatever though, he won the Jewson emphatically and remember he is brilliant left handed on better ground- I'm not counting out of anything just yet but I suspect, like Cue Card, he will stay better with time.
I fancied Djakadam last year and, for a 6yo, ran a cracking race. He should be stronger now and I think he's the one for this year. It would be great to see Cue Card win but I'll be happy enough to see him get 2nd to Djakadam. The dark horse could be More of That at 25/1
Just having a general think about the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup in conjunction with a scan of the 'Oddschecker' site. I have a feeling that a short field could end up taking part, say about ten to twelve runners. The supposed gulf between the 'top' five chasers and the remainder could result in some horses from the Gigginstown/Ricci ownerships moving to the Ryanair Chase. Other 'outsiders' could miss Cheltenham and wait for Aintree or Punchestown. There are however three recognised 'trial' races still to be run; Cheltenham on Trials Day, Newbury and the Irish Hennessy. Does anyone think there is a current outsider who could show considerable improvement and move up the market?
Who's going this day? I am- was meant to be going with my friend but has let me down so anyone going let me know!!
I think we are in hospitality on Gold Cup day Woolly with the other half's company. They are also planning a great day at Celtic Manor this summer inviting English and Welsh customers to play a Ryder Cup style golf morning and then watch the Eng vWal Euro match in the afternoon. Should be fun!
Can't believe you are considering the Cossack - or did I miss something. I'll lay you that fecker all day long.
I'm certainly not in the Cossack camp but I'd take a positive enough view of today, the way he finished so well to win by 10l going away over a trip plenty short. Supposedly lost a shoe in the race too. The Gold Cup's down to three in my view. The two Dons and Djakadam, and I'm still firmly in the Don Poli team.
I think Cue Card ha to be on the short list too Beefy - he has come up that hill so many times and with the breathing op and his resurgent form he has to enter calculations. Not saying he will win but is definitely on the short list.
Doubt ull be venturing out with the peasants!! Lol i wouldn't be but if u do let me know be good to have a beer
I fancied Djakadam but Timeform have him 9lbs or more behind the top 3 rated. 9lbs should be enough to see a horse winning, provided it doesn't run out of steam up the hill. Out of those top 3 I guess Vautour is the most likely to run out of steam, but he does have the p which is worth a few pounds. So if he didn't quite stay up the hill he still has 9+lbs on Djakadam. WP must know whether he is that superior to the fav. If we believe that the re-vitalised Cue Card will be running on better than Vautour up the hill then, with improvement to come from the latter, it should be very tight between those 2. Question is whether they will be able to hold off Don Cossack. I'd be (a bit) surprised if Timeform had it so wrong between the 2 dons but how much is that p worth against Don Pol?. I think I will wait to see if there are any more clues between now and the day before finalising my selection.
I do agree that Don probably had Cue Card covered- just- in the King George. BUT Cheltenham hasn't been his track so far and in 3 big, big races, he has thrown 3 big mistakes. Has to be a worry, but what a beautiful animal he is. It just looks a top class race in every aspect IF they all turn up. Djakadam, the young, seemingly on the upgrade challenger looking to go one better, Cue Card the resurgent, classy Betfair and King George winner, Don Cossack- the highest rated chaser- Don Poli- the Cheltenham monster who eats the hill alive and stays all day. I would love to see Vautour in it because his jumping around Cheltenham could put a whole host of these in a heap of trouble and I could see him being 10L clear as they start to turn in. What I can't visualise is the finish. The crying shame is Coneygree but that is part and parcel of it. Do we expect to see Vautour in the Ryanair and then Gold Cup next year?
IMO yes- Ruby (who will have a lot more say in where the Mullins/Ricci horses runs than other retained riders) will be begging them both to put Vautour in the Ryanair as from a selfish perspective he won't want to be choosing Djakadam and Vautour of who to ride in the gold cup as they are too closely matched really both have different strengths and weaknesses and he is worried of making the wrong case (One of McCoys biggest errors in the champion hurdle and world one) picking two wrong horses in the same festival) also as a jockey you want to ride as many winners! With Annie Power running in the mares last year it shows that both trainer and owner aren't worried about going for lesser races especially when u have a big fancy in one! They know again like Annie Power on the mares if Vautour turns up in the Ryanair part from a last fence fall he wins! And again from a selfish point they too want as many winners as they can! Why send two horses who may or may not win to the same race especially if your worried about one getting the trip over Cheltenham when you have a pretty much certain winner and a bloody good chance of winning in the other !
Vautour is the biggest non-stayer since Flemenstar. No wayhe gets up that hill after 3m1f - I don't care how he jumps or travels.
To be honest I actually prefer to be slumming it at the races. The hospitality gigs are essential but rarely my idea of a great day at the races. The best day I have enjoyed at the Festival EVER was the Tuesday a couple of years ago when I spent the day with the Don in the Guinness Village and bumped into the likes of Odddy, Nass and Mark Hughes! It was a brilliant fun day! (I think it was a Tuesday but I was that p*****)
