Cheltenham Gold Cup 2015

Boston Bob, Lord Windermere and Wonderful Charm all running decent races in defeat today.

I have the latter at huge prices on Betfair for very small money and hopefully that run in a thrilling Peterborough may encourage him to step the horse up in trip.
 
Wishfull Thinking's run didn't harm Al Ferof's KG chances, either - convinced the former is an improved horse this season, even rising 12.
 
That was a genuinely stirring race at Huntingdon. It's brilliant to see the likes of Wishfull Thinking, Menorah and Somersby run so well lately, while Eduard has paid another fine compliment to Many Clouds and, by association, the Hennessy form.
 
As much as last year's Gold Cup is hard to work out, and it would be easy to dismiss it regards this year's race (which I had). I have to say Lord Windermere has run a blinder today. He's going to be bang there again.
 
Desert Orchid said:
That was a genuinely stirring race at Huntingdon. It's brilliant to see the likes of Wishfull Thinking, Menorah and Somersby run so well lately, .....
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My heart isn't completely made of stone, but when I see these yokes winning/running-well in top races, my immediate thought is about how poor the current crop of chasers are.
 
Grasshopper said:
My heart isn't completely made of stone, but when I see these yokes winning/running-well in top races, my immediate thought is about how poor the current crop of chasers are.
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That occurred to me too but today's race was only a Grade 2 and Eduard is on the up. The race's history isn't exactly littered with stellar names. The Tingle Creek, on the other hand...



granger said:
Saw a comment on LW, can't remember by whom but was along the lines of people say he was a lucky winner but he did win the RSA the year before too
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And he didn't run as badly in last year's [Newbury] Hennessy as it seemed at the time. I don't believe he was a lucky winner, unless people are referring to the late interference, and he is entitled to improve again but the form is in the Cool Ground - Nortons Coin - Desert Orchid ball park.
 
True, but he was even luckier that year.
If the ground is decent I'm hopeful Cue Card and Champagne Fever can ensure the King George is fought out between two 170+ beasts
 
Having backed SC last year, I cant see him getting a better chance than last year to win it. Not really sure how the race could develop better for him.

I dont think CC will stay and while the jury's out on CF, he looks best when allowed to run free on the front. Road to Riches is the one with best pretensions so far this year (IMO). Trainer probably a factor in the lack of hype in Ireland. Isnt Sam Winner the type that runs a good race in the Gold Cup at a price.
 
Running a plodder like Sam Winner in the Gold Cup and wasting Wonderful Charm in the Ryanair would be worse than the Champagne Fever/Felix Yonger clusterfuck last season
 
I am unashamedly biased for several reasons but give the running style, colour and track record of Champagne Fever it is not to hard to envisage the horse becoming the next Gold Cup Hero as were Desert Orchid, Best Mate and Kauto Star. Of course he has to fulfill his potential but in many ways a PR dream. (at least mine.)
 
Evening all, first post so don't chew me up and spit me out.

There's a fair bit of imagination needed for this years Gold Cup and I can't say with any confidence who I think will win it.

I think Jonjo will have Holywell there in top shape and I think he'll be good enough to get in the 3. I also get the impression that whatever Willie Mullins is doing with Champagne Fever might just be a masterstroke, but I suppose we'll know for sure after boxing day.

I can't have Bobs Worth or Silviniaco Conti. In Bob's case I'm not convinced he's going to return to his old form. Henderson has always talked about his robustness and it may be that he hit his peak winning his Gold Cup where he was very impressive. Silviniaco is obviously a hugely talented stayer but you need to be at the top of your game to win a Gold Cup and his form so far largely suggests that he doesn't hit those levels in March.

Cue Card I just don't think has a hope of staying. The Tizzard's can stretch him as much as possible but he was on fumes coming to the last in the 2013 King George so how will he get the extra 2f on a stiffer track?

I have a slight feeling Shutthefrontdoor may end up in the race. Doesn't look up to it at the moment but I'd be interested if he went to Ireland over Christmas to see how he fares against the best stayers they have to offer.

Looking forward to the race and the festival. It'll soon be here.
 
Welcome Dan, great to have a new point of view on board.
CF being such a Cheltenham specialist has to be in the reckoning; he may well have run in the wrong race last year yet nearly won it.
Going the Kicking King route this year and who can blame WPM for that ?
The 2013 Gold Cup was a gruelling race that left its effect on many of the horses. Gold Cups do that quite a bit.
Lord Windermere also a course specialist so under rate him and his Festival wins at your peril.
Road To Riches trying a reverse Leap Frog by winning Galway Plate first and he may be the defining horse in Noel Meade's career (or may be another Hatbox Horse)

For now the connections can dream for a while longer as the race seems wide open which is only good news for the rest of us.
 
edgt said:
Welcome Dan, great to have a new point of view on board.
CF being such a Cheltenham specialist has to be in the reckoning; he may well have run in the wrong race last year yet nearly won it.
Going the Kicking King route this year and who can blame WPM for that ?
The 2013 Gold Cup was a gruelling race that left its effect on many of the horses. Gold Cups do that quite a bit.
Lord Windermere also a course specialist so under rate him and his Festival wins at your peril.
Road To Riches trying a reverse Leap Frog by winning Galway Plate first and he may be the defining horse in Noel Meade's career (or may be another Hatbox Horse)

For now the connections can dream for a while longer as the race seems wide open which is only good news for the rest of us.
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I agree. Listening to Willie on the occasions I've heard Champagne Fever crop up in conversation he seems sure he'll stay so he has to be taken seriously with his course form.

Connections will be happy with Lord Windermere behind Don Cossack on Sunday. Looked a very encouraging run. I still can't believe he won last years gold cup. So hard to make up that ground in the best staying race of the season. Just remember him coming through from out the back of the tv after the last and then 6 across the track.

I'd like to see a bit more of Road to Riches. Looked very good last time but he did look to have a fitness edge. Still did it nicely and a shame Rocky Creek didn't really do anything for the form in the Hennessey.

Very good news for us all. Where we might not have plenty to say in some of the other grade 1s I don't think we'll be sorting the big one out for a while.
 
RUK reporting that Skybet are now Non-Runner-Money-Back on the four Championship Races at the Festival.

That is a pretty-tidy concession - I assume this is fairly unique for this time of year?
 
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