The Road To The 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Desert Orchid said:
Accepted but I think the original claim was that plenty of horses prep (didn't necessarily mean final prep) over shorter.

This is an unusual circumstance and, presumably, not one Henderson would have planned. He's just trying to make the best of adverse circumstances.

I certainly don't see it as any big deal and the up side is that anyone who fancies Champ for the festival might be in a win-win situation here, in that if he just pops round near the edge of his comfort zone and loses (as I expect), his price will lengthen for the festival. If he goes and wins (which I can't see), it strengthens his case for the festival as it will show he has the pace for shorter.

Dick Hern once said Brigadier Gerard would win a Nunthorpe. Ruby Walsh often talks about the difference in pace at different trips being only about 1mph, it's sustaining the pace over the trip that separates the horses.

If they go anything other than a true pace over 2m, Champ shouldn't be too far, if at all, out of his comfort zone. He'd be likely to plug on at one pace in the final half-mile. If they go fast he can just sit off and plug on as the others slow down from the final fence and finish respectably held.

I have no financial interest in Champ for any race at the festival so no axe to grind. I just don't see anything wrong with the idea of running over 2m in the circumstances.
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I dont think it does his Gold Cup chances any harm, and will run fine and safe. He will go at his own pace and may stay on if the race falls apart. I don't think they will be going quick enough to put himself in danger jumpwise, as the instructions will be for him not to get involved in anything that causes him any danger. Henderson is letting everyone know that he isnt really gunning for this race, and will be interesting in the circumstances to see how stewards and media cover it.
 
HawkWing said:
I don't think it does his Gold Cup chances any harm and will run fine and safe. He will go at his own pace and may stay on if the race falls apart. I don't think they will be going quick enough to put himself in danger jump wise, as the instructions will be for him not to get involved in anything that causes him any danger. Henderson is letting everyone know that he isn't really gunning for this race, and will be interesting in the circumstances to see how stewards and media cover it.
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The stewards could give him a large fine and a 40-day ban on his own words alone...Nahhh...Not after Trump was acquitted...

Still think there's a surprise in store here....wins the Game spirit..
 
I know it’s Henderson so we have to take things with a certain pinch of salt but this just makes me happier with positions and potential horses to get with!

I’ve got ABP, Melon and Native River covered. Not that I feel Melon can win it.
Kemboy has further franked the A Plus Tard form, and I’ve just taken a look again at the betting. I can’t have Indo, Santini, Champ, Frodon, Lostintranslation, Delta Work and then you’re at Cyrname and Imperial Aura who won’t run.

Call me crazy but if we forgive Vinndication for being lame in the Ladbrokes Trophy, 50/1 ew seems huge, 40/1 nrnb... He might not be good enough but 2L behind Cyrname on soft ground, I think I’m happy to find out!


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Maxbet said:
https://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au...as-gold-cup-prep-129978?section=International

Nicky has been experimenting lately, he's decided to put some horses on a Fartlek regime. Champ was one of the horses chosen for the experiment. Champ had shown remarkable improvement during this training. On reporting the findings to his owners, who seriously thought he was going mad when he told them of the result's. So he set up an experiment: Champ ran one and a half miles with Altior as a lead horse, only Altior couldn't keep up. Everyone that was there that afternoon, stood there in amazement when, just as Altior gave way, another horse picked up the baton and tried to lead him. They omitted the fences on this second half of the experiment for good reason because Champ was really in rhythm by now and there was no catching him. With a furlong to go on the experiment, the lead horse, who was obviously struggling to keep up, eased off and came home on the bridal. J P asked Mr H, "who was the other horse". On whispering into JP's ear it was obvious from his reaction that it was pure disbelief...."nahhh, no way said JP...." it is" said Mr H....." Shiskin" said JP...."honestly"...."no" said Mr H..." but it was impressive don't you think"? Anyway, the long and short of it is; they have decided to run him over 2 miles in a grade 2, with a view to a Paying a subsidised entry into the Queen Mother Chase.

The reason non of this has been made public, is because people might begin to think Mr H is losing the plot.....never.

So Champ has had a 3m simulation against 2 separate horses, at speed, but a 3-mile race could, in his words be detrimental....Mental more like....

“He will now drop back down to two miles and contest the Game Spirit, instead of the Denman Chase."

“He hasn’t run for a year, ( well that's a lie, you said he's had a simulation) so we could be in danger that three miles may be slightly too far ( but not if we break it into two) for his first run of the season. He is a fresh horse and can be quite free in his races, so it would be harder to curtail enthusiasm and you’re never going to take as much out over two miles as you are over three."

“He could be keen and do too much, so in the interest of the Gold Cup being his ultimate goal, it is preferable to run over a shorter distance, which could stop him having a harder race than necessary and also help eliminate the risk of the bounce factor."

Boying, Boying, Boying.....Is that how you spell the sound of a bounce....

Senility setting in!!!

I am backing Champ to win the Game spirit....It was Shiskin...
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Chr1st, Maxbet. It isn't even 11 o'clock yet and you are pished :lol:
 
Maxbet said:
https://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au...as-gold-cup-prep-129978?section=International

Nicky has been experimenting lately, he's decided to put some horses on a Fartlek regime. Champ was one of the horses chosen for the experiment. Champ had shown remarkable improvement during this training. On reporting the findings to his owners, who seriously thought he was going mad when he told them of the result's. So he set up an experiment: Champ ran one and a half miles with Altior as a lead horse, only Altior couldn't keep up. Everyone that was there that afternoon, stood there in amazement when, just as Altior gave way, another horse picked up the baton and tried to lead him. They omitted the fences on this second half of the experiment for good reason because Champ was really in rhythm by now and there was no catching him. With a furlong to go on the experiment, the lead horse, who was obviously struggling to keep up, eased off and came home on the bridal. J P asked Mr H, "who was the other horse". On whispering into JP's ear it was obvious from his reaction that it was pure disbelief...."nahhh, no way said JP...." it is" said Mr H....." Shiskin" said JP...."honestly"...."no" said Mr H..." but it was impressive don't you think"? Anyway, the long and short of it is; they have decided to run him over 2 miles in a grade 2, with a view to a Paying a subsidised entry into the Queen Mother Chase.

The reason non of this has been made public, is because people might begin to think Mr H is losing the plot.....never.

So Champ has had a 3m simulation against 2 separate horses, at speed, but a 3-mile race could, in his words be detrimental....Mental more like....

“He will now drop back down to two miles and contest the Game Spirit, instead of the Denman Chase."

“He hasn’t run for a year, ( well that's a lie, you said he's had a simulation) so we could be in danger that three miles may be slightly too far ( but not if we break it into two) for his first run of the season. He is a fresh horse and can be quite free in his races, so it would be harder to curtail enthusiasm and you’re never going to take as much out over two miles as you are over three."

“He could be keen and do too much, so in the interest of the Gold Cup being his ultimate goal, it is preferable to run over a shorter distance, which could stop him having a harder race than necessary and also help eliminate the risk of the bounce factor."

Boying, Boying, Boying.....Is that how you spell the sound of a bounce....

Senility setting in!!!

I am backing Champ to win the Game spirit....It was Shiskin...
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been at the same bottle that henderson has been drinking
 
Yeah Native River is a funny one, if the words good or soft are in the going the description he'll be off the bridle going down to post.

If it's heavy however..............
 
Double J said:
Be easier screwing up at £20 note and popping it in the bin wouldn’t it?
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I don't know about that, DJ.

I'm getting really good numbers for Sandown and we know Cheltenham isn't a bother to him.

And he's now top-rated by 2lbs with RPRs.

I haven't backed him but I could easily make a case for doing so.
 
I backed Native River @ 93/1 (posted earlier in thread and in ante post comp) but win only as I needed 1. For him to make the race - at that time he hadn't run since his injury - and 2. The ground to be really testing.

If the ground is like that then he'll make them all go and will put any questionable jumping to the test, e.g. Champ.

In all probability he's likely to still find one or two too good though.
 
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If it does turn up heavy Native River will run them into the ground and there's nothing the others will be able to do about it
 
As admirable and talented a horse he is, I couldn't be backing an 11yo that had a hard race in heavy ground so close to the Festival.
 
Some GC trial for Champ......very good effort......fair play to Hendo......I thought he was mad, but that’s a very good performance.
 
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