Aintree

Don't know how many times people are going to say this is Sprinter Sacre's biggest test to date before they realize nothing in training can hold a candle to him.

Woke up this morning opened up the Sportinglife website and guess what?' One tipster goes for Flemenstar, one for Cue Card, one for Sprinter Sacre

Not for one minute do I believe those opposing Sprenter Sacre actually believe what they written.

Do the media think the punter is really that naive? In the unlikely even Sprinter loses the website can then say "We tipped it aren't we clever"

Now I got that of my chest "the morons" let's hope all come home safe and sound and we are treated to another magical performance by the best chaser in the World
 
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I dont think the New one ran "a cracker" yesterday. To my eyes he didnt quite pick up like before and wasnt given the canniest ride. After a longish season thats fair enough

He was dismissed as a novice taking on the best experienced horses at the distance and all but proved himself the best of the lot and "he could be a contender?" severe doubts"?

Strange negativity towards the horse on this thread.
 
granger said:
Do you think Grandouet is top class?
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I used the phrase 'capable of high-class form' earlier in the thread, granger.

High-class and top-class are two different things though. He can't be considered top-class because he's never beaten another top-class horse.

It's a somewhat crude measure to be fair, but in my defence, I was on the lash until 02:45, and I'm in no fit state to expand further. :cool:
 
Tanlic, can you do me a favour and send me signed-copies of all 17 volumes of your 'Crap Excuses for Hounds I've Backed' series.

Good man, cheers.

:D
 
Tanlic said:
Don't know how many times people are going to say this is Sprinter Sacre's biggest test to date before they realize nothing in training can hold a candle to him.

Woke up this morning opened up the Sportinglife website and guess what?' One tipster goes for Flemenstar, one for Cue Card, one for Sprinter Sacre

Not for one minute do I believe those opposing Sprenter Sacre actually believe what they written.

Do the media think the punter is really that naive? In the unlikely even Sprinter loses the website can then say "We tipped it aren't we clever"

Now I got that of my chest "the morons" let's hope all come home safe and sound and we are treated to another magical performance by the best chaser in the World
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Has a jumps horse who has ever had let's say 25 races or so ever retired unbeaten?
 
Finians Rainbow looks like one to get stuck into at 6s in the W/O Sprinter Sacre market. On his best form he's of similar ability to Flemenstar and Cue Card, and has valid excuses for 2 poor runs this season, bogged down on both occasions in the heavy ground.

Coming here fresh and missing Cheltenham could well be a blessing in disguise, and the return to less testing ground at a track/meeting he's been successful at for the last 2 seasons, then it's easy to see him faring better today.

Add in the tactical nature of the race, Cue Card and Flemenstar likely to be ridden more forcefully, and if they wilt on the long run between the last 2, he might pick up the pieces after sitting in last for most of the way.

6's with Corals just looks too big.
 
Not in the British Isles Granger, Arkle Golden Miller Cottage Rake etc were all beaten.

Your question has a double edge to it Granger. I'm quite aware that any horse can be beaten.

However that was then and this is now and while I believe it is much more difficult to beat a class horse like Flemenstar or Cue card by 20 lengths than it is beating some moderate animal by 1 length, play often enough in the latter league and eventually someone is going to beat you.

We just had a debate about Arkle and how he lost because he was carrying massive weights.

The thing is Sprinter Sacre never has and probably will never run in a handicap so the chances of him tasting defeat if he's fit and well are about ziltch. I suppose he could be brought down a peg or two if Nicky starts running him at longer trips like today but I'd be surprised if anything can touch him over 3 miles let alone 2m 4f.

Then of course there's age and the fact no owner ever wants to let go and they eventually lose it like Kauto Star did in the end.

That however is along way off (Hopefully!!!) and I could think of better things to do with my cash than back something else against him and hope he falls over or whatever.
 
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davidjohnson said:
Add in the tactical nature of the race, Cue Card and Flemenstar likely to be ridden more forcefully, and if they wilt on the long run between the last 2, he might pick up the pieces after sitting in last for most of the way.
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agree with this. especially with cue card as tizzard has hinted they'll go a strong lick to test sprinter's stamina. i think this will actually help sprinter settle and jump for fun at speed and by the end we could see cue card broken as sprinter saunters past him and maybe one or two others will.

seen worse bets than finians to beat cue card at 5/2.
 
I think Sprinter Sacre will win, but he jumped relatively poorly at Cheltenham. He can jump spectacularly but its not a given that he will wing every fence against horses like these. Im sure his class will get him through regardless
 
davidjohnson said:
Finians Rainbow looks like one to get stuck into at 6s in the W/O Sprinter Sacre market. On his best form he's of similar ability to Flemenstar and Cue Card, and has valid excuses for 2 poor runs this season, bogged down on both occasions in the heavy ground.

Coming here fresh and missing Cheltenham could well be a blessing in disguise, and the return to less testing ground at a track/meeting he's been successful at for the last 2 seasons, then it's easy to see him faring better today.

Add in the tactical nature of the race, Cue Card and Flemenstar likely to be ridden more forcefully, and if they wilt on the long run between the last 2, he might pick up the pieces after sitting in last for most of the way.

6's with Corals just looks too big.
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I fancy Cue Card myself as he ran pretty close to Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle and looks a bit better over this sort of trip.

However you make a very good point about the tactics. Too many times fancied but inferior horse to a hot fav burn themselves out trying to take them on and they get run out of the places in the end.

Against that, watch Joe Tizzard on Cue Card in the Arkle when Alferof went to the front and tried to put some pressure on Sprinter Sacre. Joe ignored it completely and just kept Cue Card nice and relaxed and let him do his own thing. He did make an effort to close but at the same made sure he wasn't going to make too much use of the horse early and not get home.

I expect him to ride the horse again the same way. They know he's up against it and while they'd love to win the race I can't see them trying to run SS into the ground and throwing away decent prize money. I reckon Joe will do his own thing and ride the horse like Sprinter Sacre doesn't exist which should be good enough to beat the rest of them.
 
Flemenstar might just struggle with his jumping on this ground, Cue Card will thrive on it, and he'll keep going on this sharp track, 'cos that's what he does. The only horse ever to pose any sort of threat to SS over fences, he might get even closer over this trip.
The 6/4 At Fishers Cross may turn out to be generous; though the ground may be a little livelier than he's used to, he had the speed to win over 2m 3f at Newbury, and I see no reason for him not to be as efficient here.
 
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I think Barry thought he was cruising coming down the hill and got a little surprise that there was a horse close to him turning in. Not sure if that classifies as a threat.
 
Totally enjoyable day yesterday. Travelled up on Virgin,good service, and arrived to a bright but cold day. Thankfully Cheltenham recently taught me all about layers and keeping warm. Never seen so many women dressed up to the nines at a jumping meeting, strapless, backless, microskirts and others, all shapes, ages and sizes, in full evening dresses. There were hen parties in the bar. Kept being told that this was nothing compared to what happens today. We were in the Princess royal seats and after the first there was hardly anyone in them. Still a superb view although it ain't Cheltenham
Pretty poor day on the betting front but fortunately had scaled my bets on Jetson so that the place almost covered the win losses.
Overall got the impression that the modern Aintree has been thoughtfully designed and everything from the trains from Liverpool centre to the provision of large covered areas, the plentiful supply of food and bars was well practiced and immaculately excuted by people who knew what to do. A fine experience which I intend to make regular. I certainly agree with Euro's comment on the 'Vibe', warm and friendly- let's all have a good time.

Today's betting will be much more circumspect. A minor punt on Super Duty and the forecast with Vino G. thus following 2 of my Festival runners-up. A speculative ew pop on General Miller. Trio D'Alene and Gullible Gordon will also carry the burden of my backing.
 
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Tout Seul said:
Totally enjoyable day yesterday. Travelled up on Virgin,good service, and arrived to a bright but cold day. Thankfully Cheltenham recently taught me all about layers and keeping warm. Never seen so many women dressed up to the nines at a jumping meeting, strapless, backless, microskirts and others, all shapes, ages and sizes, in full evening dresses. There were hen parties in the bar. Kept being told that this was nothing compared to what happens today.
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Agreed...an absolute clunge fest. I will be attending again next year!
 
Does anyone have an opinion on the first race? Is MTOY an shoe-in or will Forgotten Voice go well on the ground + track?
 
think the track & ground suit both. think it'll be a question of whether MTOY shows no ill effects from cheltenham.
 
Hamm said:
Does anyone have an opinion on the first race? Is MTOY an shoe-in or will Forgotten Voice go well on the ground + track?
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As long as it doesn't turn into a sprint, My Tent Or Yours should win these. He's a strong-travelling sort that doesn't change gear immediately, but he was losing no ground on Champagne Fever at Cheltenham. Taking it up early in the straight and stretching his rivals could be the making of him.

Have taken the 10s for the Champion Hurdle this morning.
 
Walkon is too big a price at 25/1 in the Topham.

I confess I'm a little amazed to see he is only rated 146 at present. I'd have him a chunk higher than that, and he looks a handsomely handicapped animal to me.
 
davidjohnson said:
As long as it doesn't turn into a sprint, My Tent Or Yours should win these. He's a strong-travelling sort that doesn't change gear immediately, but he was losing no ground on Champagne Fever at Cheltenham. Taking it up early in the straight and stretching his rivals could be the making of him.

Have taken the 10s for the Champion Hurdle this morning.
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Having originally backed Forgotten Voice AP at massive prices for the Supreme I've had to back him in preference to MTOY as I was gutted he didn't show. I thought he was super impressive on good ground at Kempton and missing Cheltenham coupled with a flat track has to give him a chance to beat the Jolly.
 
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