The 2025 Paddy Power Gold Cup (Handicap Chase)

[jinnyj]

As someone said to me on Sunday about the yard "every time he has a winner, a puppy dies!" I think it was rather lost in translation as nobody else laughed but I thought it was hilarious at the time.

 

[Robicheaux]

For

No mention of the County in the ATR stable tour:

"He is just getting a bit keen in his races which he was doing last year in his Listed bumper. The run at Uttoxeter the other day will have done him well and he will go for a Grade 2 at the Cheltenham October Meeting. We will see where the season takes us."

First handicap mark is 124. Last year 127 scraped in at the bottom of the weights in the County so it won't be too difficult a mark to protect.

This is of course Fortune De Mer. Looking at that ride today, I don't think they want to go above 127. No bet in the race, but that should've won today. Quite blatant if I'm being honest !

 

[Desert Orchid]

This is of course Fortune De Mer. Looking at that ride today, I don't think they want to go above 127. No bet in the race, but that should've won today. Quite blatant if I'm being honest !

I've just watched the replay imagining I had backed it. I wouldn't take any strong view about it not trying. I think the jockey was over-confident, possibly trying to give the horse a show-off ride but maybe underestimating the opposition or maybe the pace, certainly the winner.