The Road to the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup

We all know what's gonna happen!

Lovely rain and lovely soft ground and Djakadam hoses in!
 
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Back jumping a few obstacles now
 

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From RP

THERE is no reason why Coneygree cannot return to the form that last year helped him become the first novice since Captain Christy in 1974 to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, according to connections.
The strapping nine-year-old has a shiny, new all-weather gallop to help get him fit for his return to action but when that will be remains unclear as trainer Mark Bradstock and his wife Sara will be guided by the weather.
Options include the £100,000 bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on October 29 or Haydock's Betfair Chase three weeks later.
The Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 26 is another potential target for the popular star whose campaign last term was derailed by a hock injury.
Absent since a smooth win in a Listed chase at Sandown in November, Coneygree is 14-1 with Sky Bet and Paddy Power to regain the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, which is his ultimate aim.
"He's started to swing along and he's in very good nick," Sara Bradstock said. "The vets are delighted with the healing and there's no arthritic change in any of the places he had the little bony defects.
"Fingers firmly crossed, but everything seems to be absolutely fine at the moment and we're aiming to have him ready for when the ground is good to soft or softer.
"He's doing everything very pleasingly. He feels great and seems to have retained the old engine. He's nowhere near fit and I haven't let the handbrake off, but everything he does makes me think he's the same horse."
Conditions to dictate plans
Discussing plans for Coneygree, Bradstock stressed the need for rain to help put the finishing touches to the son of Karinga Bay, although the horse's core fitness has been helped by the installation of a new all-weather gallop near their Letcombe Bassett base on the outskirts of Lambourn.
She added: "There's the Charlie Hall, the race at Haydock and then the Hennessy. Obviously you'd rather not go to the Hennessy first time out, but we'll be guided by the ground.
"Sometimes it stays dry all through September and you need a lot of rain to get into the ground. Even now we're getting bits and bobs of rain and everything is like concrete.
"The great excitement is we have a new, state-of-the-art all-weather gallop, which is very helpful and Max [Coneygree] loves it - he's doing all of his work on it. It's broken the bank, but we're hoping he can pay for it!
"It's the same length - a mile with a good pull - as the woodchip one the captain [Tim Forster] put in, but that decayed over the years.
"Having had an injury he wouldn't run until we can get him on the grass, but he can do everything until his last few gallops on it, so it's a real help."
 
For sure Granger; the only pity being The Noble Lord Oaksey was not around to witness it.
I just read the Cool Dawn story and that is in it's own way fascinating as were the Captain Christy , Best Mate,Master Smudge, Arkle, Cool Dawn,Golden Miller, Cottage Rake , whatever you are having yourself story. All part of the fascination we have with a race that began as a level weight Grand National trial of sorts before taking off in a life of it's own.
How can we not forgive connections of Flemenstar among others from not wanting their horse to be Gold Cup heroes ?
I sincerely hope Coneygree makes it back to halt the Giggi / Ricci / WPM steam roller with a little help from Colin Tizzard and any other medium sized outfit with a superstar lurking.
 
Mark Bradstock yesterday

"We schooled Coneygree today for the first time since his last race. He jumped very well and is a happy champ tonight. Good progress"
 
Sara Bradstock with an update on Coneygree: "He did his first piece of proper fast work on Saturday and feels amazing really."
 
What a bonus it would be if Coneygree comes back as good as he was, chasers of his quality are precious.

Michael O'Leary was only being realistic the other week about Don Cossack when he said he doubted he would be back. They're giving it a go but the odds are against.
 
Re Don Cossack

[FONT=&quot]"He's going into his sixth week on the roads having roadwork and the scans have been very good. I saw him last Sunday week and the legs felt good," the County Meath trainer told At The Races.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]"When a horse gets a ligament injury it's day by day, but it seems to be going good and we'll have him back here at Cullentra in the next two or three weeks and it's all systems go.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]"We're under no illusions. If he's not 120 per cent right at this stage, we'll retire him.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]"He's been a wonderful horse, so we'll do the best thing for the horse."[/FONT]
Click to expand...
 
Sarah Bradstock this morning


Although slightly frustrated by the lack of rain, Coneygree has been galloping and schooling on our new Andrews Bowen Soundtrack all weather gallop, and we are delighted with his progress. Both Nico (de Boinville) and I agree that he feels every bit as good, if not a little bit better than ever and the excitement of getting back on the track is mounting in the yard!
We were hoping to be going for a racecourse gallop at Haydock this weekend (after the flat fixture) but for the first time in many years, the ground is fast and not suitable for our champ. Kirkland Tellwright, the Clerk of the Course at Haydock, has been extremely helpful and is willing to reorganise when the weather changes.
 
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