• REGISTER NOW!! Why? Because you can't do much without having been registered!

    At the moment you have limited access to view all discussions - and most importantly, you haven't joined our community. What are you waiting for? Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join Join Talking Horses here!

December Gold Cup

Tanlic

Tanlic

Senior Jockey
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Messages
12,108
Location
Bangkok Thailand
Known as the Massey Ferguson Gold cup this used to be one of the season most sought after prizes

Conteted by some real class animals like The Laird Pendil Flyingbot Comb Ditch etc.

Howver racing has changed so much and you aren't going to find the likes of Bravemansgame running in it nowadays.

Should still be worth a watch and with £74,035 to the winner is well going after

My eye is drawn to Venetia William's's Frero Banbou 10/1 EW. with a very low weight.
 
His third in Global Citizens Grand Annual when he was held up was some effort, given the first two home were up on the pace. I always feel that race is extra hard for hold up horses. I've taken a chance on him today aswell.
 
Last edited:
I got some 12/1 as soon as final Dec’s were made. He races off 3lb higher than at Newbury where he’d surely have bolted up but for clouting the last. The winner that day has gone up 7lb so Frero could be well in. Venetia’s current form a bonus


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I took Monmiral at 6s during the week and still think he's the most likely winner.

I'll be putting up a couple on the longshot thread too for a bit of fun.

But I do think the race attracts some classy top weights. If there aren't maybe as many as in our day, Tanlic, it might be because the handicappers are better at their job (although I accept you probably disagree with that) and the better horses are on higher marks earlier in their careers nowadays.

It doesn't seem that long since Frodon successfully lumped top weight round here off 164, the rating BMG was on when winning the KG.
 
I don't know what they've said on the preview show but I can see Fakir D'oudairies going well. Since his beginners he's run in 21 chases, all G1 or G2, with 6 wins and 10 places. At 8 he should be in his prime although there's always that nagging doubt about early starting French-breds. Goes well fresh and on soft ground. Joseph doesn't travel over no-hopers as a rule although it may not have been his decision. 11/1 seems fair each way.
 
Last edited:
What a brilliant race that was, made by Bryony Frost on Il Ridoto.

Proper pace, great jumping out in front and asking the others serious questions that only Fugitif had the answer to.

Well done all Fugitif backers. I must admit I had him down as the type that wasn't sure he wanted to past a leader late in a race.
 
Last edited:
viking said:
I got some 12/1 as soon as final Dec’s were made. He races off 3lb higher than at Newbury where he’d surely have bolted up but for clouting the last. The winner that day has gone up 7lb so Frero could be well in. Venetia’s current form a bonus


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I’m amazed he managed to hang on for a place there

Well done anyone who kept the faith with Fugitif but a real shame for Il Ridoto and Bryony


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Have to say I love watching Bryony when she’s up the front end, dictating. She gets her horse into a lovely comfortable rhythm and judges pace well. She was unlucky not to hang on.
 
A lot of young would be jockeys can learn an awful lot both from Gavin's and Bryony's rides there.
Both horses had tongue ties so had some respiratory issues.
Bryony got her horse settled in front after he pulled his way to defeat last time; the horse ran like he was galloping loose.
Gavin gave his mount a chance, not chasing the lead when his horse was behind the bridle.
Neither jockey put their mount under undue or sudden pressure but gently gave them the office to confidently do what they were doing well.
Bryony changing whip hand after just one crack was a stroke of genius; the horse immediately responded.
A dead heat would have been fair but Gavin kept his mount going forward when picking up dead wood.
Had he sung "Living Next Door To Alice "to Bryony it would have been Carberryesque.
Boy would I love to see Bryony ride Hewick in the King George.
Proud to be a NH Racing fan after that; that was a proper race.
 
Last edited:
You could watch it again and again and never fail to be impressed b the two of them. In my mind it will always be a dead heat because they both deserve that accolade. It does seem that Bryony is suffering the whistle blowers fate, but I hope this ride makes those who have been ignoring her feel very ashamed.
 
barjon said:
You could watch it again and again and never fail to be impressed b the two of them. In my mind it will always be a dead heat because they both deserve that accolade. It does seem that Bryony is suffering the whistle blowers fate, but I hope this ride makes those who have been ignoring her feel very ashamed.
Click to expand...

I think that this is sadly the case although her standing up for herself has opened the doors widely to a BHA review and a new code of conduct being brought in for yards and weighing rooms so that’s quite an accomplishment. For too long they had been burying their heads in the sand that there was a problem. 27 years ago when I worked outside racing, I described to work colleagues what was normal behaviour within racing yards and they were utterly appalled so it’s been a long old time coming.
 
The difference between winning and losing was one costly decision and one good one.

Gavin summed it up perfectly when he said "I din't want to make ground going downhill".

Bryony did the opposite and kicked from home on the downhill part of the course using up petrol and paid dearly for it on the run up the hill.

I reckon had she sat and let the horses own momentum carry him to the front downhill and kept that little bit in reserve she might have won by a length or so.
 
Last edited:
Bryony made no move until she crossed the path before the second last fence.
It was a tad too soon but as horse beside her was beaten she put the race to bed, her mount jumped the last two fences ears pricked and dug in when challenged .
Not like her mount was drunk crossing the line, to be fair.
 
If Bryony had held on then Sheehan would have been said he gave it too much to do.
Cracking race.
 

Recent Blog Posts

Latest posts

Back
Top