Colin Phillips
At the Start
A breathtaking performance, he had 'em all beat some way out.
Hennessy Entries
- Thread starter Sara
- Start date
KS won at Haydock [/b][/quote]
I know!!!
What I'm saying is I don't have a King George figure for him, hence me calling his Haydock figure a career best. It is possible he ran a bigger one at Kempton (though I'd doubt it) but I can't know
Colin Phillips
At the Start
Gal. I think I read somewhere that the chase was run over the right distance, it was the hurdle race that was buggered up.
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
I think some hacker has infiltrated my Betfair page and installed Denman as favourite for the Gold Cup - it`s surely the only rational explanation shrug::
trackside528
At the Start
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2006
- Messages
- 5,377
Harry Findlay perhaps, Euro? 
Couldn't have Denman as outright Gold Cup favourite either myself..
Couldn't have Denman as outright Gold Cup favourite either myself..
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
Kauto Star would in theory have to give Dream Alliance around 40lbs if they met in handicap company. This surely puts things in perpective.
rorydelargy
At the Start
It's utterly irrelevant how much weight Kauto Star would have to give to anyone when assessing Denman's Gold Cup prospects. It puts nothing in perspective.
Too true already! But how do we find an antepost forecast??
btw nice to meet you Landlark however briefly!
Btw One of the great pleasures of today, and there have been many, was witnessing the massed stands at Newbury starting to clap in Denman from - well, not far short of two out. And these are people who know what they've seen
G
Gearoid
Guest
I'll lay 13/2 on the dual forecast.
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
So weight and ratings mean nowt then? Denman beat plodders today, KS can give weight and beatings to proper horses.
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
Are we all supposed to be swept away by wide margin victories? Once Snowy Morning exited there really wasn`t that much quality in the field. Ultimately the bookies as ever have over-reacted. Yesterdsay evening Denman was trading at 3.45 for the Gold Cup - Exotic Dancer was 10s. That just aint right.
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
Yep. And it could get even better for value seekers. KS is vulnerable at Kempton and if ED beats him and Denman hacks up in Ireland, the reigning champ will be a very backable price for the Gold Cup.
The average rating for the field going into yesterdays Hennessey was 143 (rounded) the average in 2005 was 137, meaning that Denmans comfortably eclipsed Trabolgan. The field was also more competitive given that 72% of them had rating in excess of 140, compared to 32% in 2005. Carrying weight on heavy ground is of course harder than the firmer surface that Trabolgan prevailed on too.
Denman just simply banged out the sections jumping straight and accurately, and just stretched away from them in the manner that only very few horses can. He didn't appear to be running quickly to the eye, as he was travelling under restraint without ever fighting for his and the absence of any discernable effort only led me to think he was being saved. It was only when you looked back at the pursuers being scrubbed along whilst he just bowled his way through the sections economically like a good thing can, that you realised he was crucifying them such was their close to 'all out' effort from about 6F out just to stay in touch with his relentless gallop
I think the Snowy Morning thing is clutching at straws in honesty. He might have carried my money, but I for one won't be trying to invoke the "what if" scenario to crab the performance
Denman just simply banged out the sections jumping straight and accurately, and just stretched away from them in the manner that only very few horses can. He didn't appear to be running quickly to the eye, as he was travelling under restraint without ever fighting for his and the absence of any discernable effort only led me to think he was being saved. It was only when you looked back at the pursuers being scrubbed along whilst he just bowled his way through the sections economically like a good thing can, that you realised he was crucifying them such was their close to 'all out' effort from about 6F out just to stay in touch with his relentless gallop
I think the Snowy Morning thing is clutching at straws in honesty. He might have carried my money, but I for one won't be trying to invoke the "what if" scenario to crab the performance
Desert Orchid
Senior Jockey
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- Aug 2, 2005
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I wonder if that's of any real significance, Warbler.
I'd be more inclined to measure the competitiveness of the race by how many of the field had how much in hand of their official rating. If I get the chance, I'll try and look back through my figures for the last few years and make a comparison. Off the top of my head, I do think yesterday's race was at least as competitive as in recent seasons.
Two routes to the one conclusion...
Also, do you have access to the sectionals or are you going by visual impression?
Regardless of whether ther ace was fast or slow-run for the first half, there's no doubt Denman was hacking along while others weren't, but we've also seen other horses do that and not hit the heights.
granger
Senior Jockey
If Denman can beat Beefy i'll believe in him :laughing:
Looking at the race again this morning it really is noticeable how virtually nothing was travelling from a long long way out. Credit to Denman for being the only one to travel but equally it must rise some question marks as to the merits of what he beat.
tdk
At the Start
Or it could just suggest he was absolutely miles better than the field.
Oh come off it now....
A big field like that and all bar one had an off day i suppose?
I know you are dying to knock down Denmans performance but this is a bit silly. Fact is that the big horse had them all off the bridle a long way out. Thats what happens isnt it?
tdk
At the Start
Yes - rather than tying yourself in knots trying to come up with bizarre theories to the contrary, sometimes it is just simpler to accept the fact that the horse has just absolutely gagged up in a competitive 18 runner handicap off top weight and is an absolute machine...