Cheltneham Gold Cup...

[twinnieolz]

Well the Cheltneham Festival is soon! Whoop!

So who do you think is going to win the Gold Cup & Champion Hurdle?

I think Kauto Star is in for a chance if he doesn't scuff up the last fence. Exotic Dancer may be in for a chance too! And War of Attirtion may land it again...but it's going to be a tough race!

So is the Champion Hurdle! I think Detroit City has the race in his hands though, but theres Hardy Eustace, Ikitaf and Straw Bear too! By...another tough race!

Better get betting soon!

 

[Mid]

I was at the race course yesterday

Wandered around a bit, but then got told to leave

I don't think we'll be going to the gold cup, bit of a long drive, and the parents are fussy about crowds. And won't let me bet x)

 

[madgirl]

hmm think kauto star will win if he doesn't muck up and fall although he hasn't yet lol. Was speaking to M today who followsracing bloody closely off every weekend he think nil desperandum has a minor chance but may be worth an each way but Sadly monkey has no chance I want ED to win!

Is BJK running in champion hurdle? love him but want DC to win and follow rooster booster

 

[Fantasy_World]

Kauto Star is the one to beat in the gold cup providing he doesn't fluff a crucial fence which he did last time and at Kempton too in the King George. I have a ante post bet riding on Racing Demon though as I told my friend he was the one to take out of the race on Boxing day. I only have two concerns though, his very low head carriage during the early part of his races and the fact that the gold cup inevitably has a large field. Also he seems better at right handed tracks and may give away too much at his fences jumping the stiff left handed track at Cheltenham. However his right hand bias might not be too much of a problem as he does look a dour stayer and will last the trip better than some of his counterparts. Also Gloria Victis ( Feltham winner 99 and 2000 racing post winner) who sadly fell ( ended up being fatally) in the 2000 renewal of the gold cup had a right hand bias and there were some in the press and racing industry that argued that he should not have been in the race as he was a novice and also that his right hand bias may cause a problem. I say they were all wrong. He turned the racing post chase into a procession off top weight ( 11-10) beating Marlborough by ten lengths over 3miles. He even had subsequent 2001 grand national winner Red Marauder back in 6th and beat a host of good handicappers. When he fell in the gold cup some argued he was tired ( front runner) I disagreed and thought it was a jockey error ( sorry Tony who I know). Both horse and jockey had a difference of opinion approaching the second last, if anyone has the recording ( which I do) you will see that.
Therefore in my honest opinion I don't think a right handed bias is too much of a problem at Cheltenham unless the horse has stamina limitations.
Racing Demon is no Best Mate but he is a good horse in his own right and on the very day at Exeter when the stable stalwart sadly collapsed and died The Demon made a huge impression in a novice event that same day.
Don't forget this horse finished 3/4 l second in the royal and sun alliance hurdle to No Refuge the previous season.
Previous form at Cheltenham is a bonus and that is what any punter should look for. Even Best Mate had previous form a good finishing second in the supreme novice hurdle in his days over timber.
He ( the demon) was 7th in the Arkle last season a trip way too short for him.
When he ur in this season's Haldon gold cup he was way too keen for his own good. He looked extremely well that day, coat gleeming and bouncing literally. At the start he just wanted to get on with it and his rushing led to his mishap.
His win in the Peterborough saw him gain a good rhythm over the fences and he jumped well for G Lee.
His third in the King George, forgive me if I turn out to be wrong concluded one thing to me that he wants further than 3 miles. In my opinion he failed to quicken in the closing stages. As Kauto star and Exotic Dancer pulled clear he didn't have the change of tempo. Kempton is flat, Cheltenham is an uphill finish. The fact that he has already relished the hill with an excellent second in the SA hurdle shows me that he is the one.
Exotic Dancer has form at Cheltenham admittedly in winning the Paddy power and former tripleprint gold cup chase but they were over shorter distances. Yes he won the Pillar chase over 3m 1/2 furlongs but that race can be a mickey mouse race due to small fields and trainers not playing their best hands ( if you follow me). It is not always the best gold cup trial even though it has produced winners of the race.
Run on heavy ground which is very unlikely at Cheltenham ( not since 1994 I think it was, the year I first started backing at the festival) it was a hard race for a horse which has already raced 5 times this season ( some in very taxing handicaps). He will not be carrying my cash.
Kauto may very well win but his odds are skinny and I would much rather wait till the day but for now Racing Demon at double figures is very tempting especially as they have decided to bypass a much easier ( no Kauto Star) Ryanair chase to run in the gold cup.
As for the champion hurdle I will dissect that another day.
Caroline
ps good luck in whatever you decide to back

 

[twinnieolz]

How much more do you want to write Cazee?

Heheh! Jokes! I'm still not sure who to back, but im pretty sure im going to back DC for the champ hurdle!

 

[Fantasy_World]

lol can't help it used to be a racing journo and wanted my own column but local rag was not into racing and all I got was a few interviews and to cover racemeetings at a local track in Staffs

 

[vicijp]

Exotic Dancer for the Gold Cup, although will be routing for Beef Or Salmon as always.
Brave Inca for the Champion Hurdle.

 

[Fantasy_World]

Vicki I would agree with Brave Inca for the champion although Hardy is back to his best as well and may give him a run for his money.
Not a big fan of Detroit City the age stats are against him for one and I think the last triumph hurdle winner to score was Kribensis wasn't it? off the top of my head.
Beef or Salmon wants a bog to have any chance at Cheltenham but my biggest fear is that he just doesn't seem to like the track as I know some horses can have preferences or memories of events or scenarios that caused them pain or fear.
Exotic Dancer is a very good horse but like I said above he has had 5 races this season already and I know he looks progressive having returned from injury I just have my doubts. They had better have the ear plugs well and truly stuck in before the race as it will probably be the busiest and noisiest day he has ever encountered too.
We will see though in just over 2 weeks

Cazx