Well it was totally different going to the rest of the week's going wasn't it? The previous 3 days can't have been perfect then, is that right?
Nit picking Beefy, anything between Good and Soft is perfect with the covering at Cheltenham as well you know! Anyway, when is VAUTOUR running again so we can all chum up on the certainty for the next years Gold Cup again! You note I called it the Gold Cup and didn't bother with the venue............
No he hasn't shown his best at Cheltenham, though he was slightly unfortunate in the Ryanair. Even with the error 3 out he'd of still won had he not got sandwiched between 2 rivals going to the 2nd last. You call him a flat track monster, then you've clearly never been to any of the racecourses he's been winning races in Ireland this year. Punchestown for a start is very undulating, as is Thurles and Down Royal. Jumping has cost him at Cheltenham, il accept that, but his Ryanair effort was encouraging enough. That I feel in a slowly run Gold Cup he will be able to jump round smoothly. Add to that that he'll have another years chasing experience behind him. Some horses like Silviniaco Conti don't handle Cheltenham because of the up hill stamina sapping finish, and those horses can usually never turn the corner. But if jumping is the issue it can be overcome with practice. Sire De Grugy and Dodging Bullets where written off around Cheltenham and look how they won championship races eventually. You can hardly say that Don Cossacks run in the Ryanair makes him a lost cause at the track, one error 3 out and that was it, if he'd jumped that 1 fence better he'd of won easy. And even after the error he probably still would have won had he not been sandwiched going to the 2nd last. That 1 error cost him track position which resulted in him being hampered going to the 2nd last
Hope you're right about 'certainty' stick! Last time I recall you using that expression was for Un de Sceaux whilst debating the Arkle
I realise Cheltenham is the race meeting everyone wants to win at. However I don't agree that a horse can only be in top form once a season. Many Clouds for example you could say the Grand National was an after thought, yet he showed improved form to win. I'm not saying Cheltenham isn't the pinnacle, I just don't conform to the argument that horses can only be in top form once a season
After a few years in the doldrums, the Gold Cup could be the race we will all be looking forward to the most next season. The Champion hurdle may not be to bad either, with Willie Mullins stating its difficult to send Douvan chasing when he hurdles so efficiently. It will be interesting to see if they are happy to let him take on Faugheen in the Champion Hurdle. My preference would be for Douvan just because he's a more fluent hurdler, I think that could be the slight difference between the pair
As much as I like Vautour, you have to wonder wether he can get home running from the front in a Gold Cup. I'm just struggling to believe a horse can have as much speed as he does and stay the trip. If he where mine I'd run him in the Champion Chase as he'd beat Un De Sceaux comfortably
Oddly I totally agree gutted , that's nearest I come all day had a winner at Cheltenham and gauvain I in the last
Never! We're playing Wendy on Saturday - perhaps he'll be there telling all the Watford fans how many beatings we're going to take next year.
All I know is I've done me bo**ocks in the last couple of days and am thankful for one sticks Cheltenham selections. I'm retreating to the pub today
