State Of Play

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On ceefax today Evan Williams says he is aiming State Of Play at the Gold Cup.

Am I imagining things or did he not say after the horse's recent run he was not up to Grade 1 standard and needs to re-think the horse's plans?

Why the change of heart. Owner pressure?
 
State of Play ran a shocker in the Lexus, it's hugely optimistic of the owners to have a go at the Gold Cup imo..Not sure what the prize money is for sixth!!
 
It was just shy of £6k last season. However, I can't see him getting that near to Kauto this time given his drop in form this year.

Surely there are bigger prizes thabn the Gold Cup's 6th Prize he has a realistic chance of at least winning - reverting to handicapping or even hurdling? He would surely have a VERY attractive mark to exploit back over the smaller obstacles, wining off 108 last time he jumped them in public?

Seems a strange about face by Williams and I wondered if he is under pressure from other quarters?
 
Agree 100% with you useful..There must be handier money to be gained in a decent handicap chase..Over ambitious/enthusiastic owners me-thinks..The lure of Cheltenham effects us all in different ways..
 
It might be that Evan has a problem placing the horse. Rated too high for most handicaps and the horse is n't built to carry huge weights

Cheltenham is likely to have the ground that the horse likes and there have been bigger surprises landed by horses trained in Wales!!( Well one at least :D )
 
Colin, agree he is not a big weight type, but hurdles must look like a very tempting route to anyone wanting to have it right off?

I guess I am simply confused why Williams has done a u-turn - unless he is trying to put us all away big time???

(ps I take it you are referring to the might Norton's Coin?)
 
I don't think he's done a u-turn. He said at Christmas he accepted State of Play wouldn't win the Gold Cup. He never said he wouldn't run him in it.
 
Fair point, although to say a horse is not up to Grade 1 Class can be interpreted as planning a campaign that does not include Grade 1 contests.

Seems to me this horse really put him on the map winning the Hennessey but the yard has not really gone in the same upwardly mobile direction since. The patronage of Ogden got off to a flyer at Cheltenham, but that too has stalled somewhat.
 
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