The Road to the Queen Mother

Not sure what the problem is, why not try and see if he can get a longer trip if thats what connections want, he is a year older and when he is match fit SE on good ground would get 3m in my opinion, if not revert back to plan A, it did not do him any harm last season.
 
I've backed Realt Dubh for the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Not sure I particularly wanted to see him run beforehand, though I confess I don't have any insight as to whether Cheltenham is actually a target anyway. Lots to like about the horse regardless, and he is one I think can make an impact in good races this season - though I fancy him more as a stayer than a 2 miler.
 
Last edited:
according to trainer rd misses sunday and starts off in either poplar square chase at navan oct 29 or skymas chase at down royal nov 5th
if he starts in latter i cant see him reappearing some 7 days later
 
"I've put him in the James Nicholson at Down Royal but we're also looking at the Tingle Creek at Sandown. I think he'll run in one or the other, or both."
Click to expand...

So now we know.
 
Peter Hobbs comments on Captain Chris - "He was our Arkle winner at Cheltenham in March, but overall very consistent. I think he could prove to be a lively contender in the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup might even be on the agenda. He has the potential to make another serious impact in some of the major chases this season."

Considering the record of Arkle winners in the Queen Mother will this be another misguided campaign?
 
Hard to fathom why he would go down that route, with both Wishfull Thinking and Wayward Prince are in the same yard and ownership.
 
No you haven't, Rory. For some reason, I was utterly convinced connections were Whateley/Hobbs. My bad. :cool:

Still think Wishfull Thinking is the more obvious one to go for the KG/GC, than Captain Chris.
 
Grasshopper said:
No you haven't, Rory. For some reason, I was utterly convinced connections were Whateley/Hobbs. My bad. :cool:

Still think Wishfull Thinking is the more obvious one to go for the KG/GC, than Captain Chris.
Click to expand...

I've been banging the KG drum re Captain Chris since February. Every time he's run beyond 2m, he's stayed on strongly, even in defeat. 3m at Kempton would be no problem at all for him. He handled Cheltenham well in March, but had looked better going right-handed in his early days. Remember that KG/GC winners Best Mate and Kauto Star would have been outstanding Arkle favourites had they run, while KG/GC winner Kicking King was a good second in the Arkle to an outstanding 2 miler. Throw War of Attrition into the mix, and I'd say the Arkle is the best trial for a novice intending to go the KG/GC route.
 
It is, and I've backed CC for the King George but the Queen Mother is wide open this year. The two principals from March are both getting on a bit and nothing else appeals for the race outside of last year's novices.
 
rorydelargy said:
I've been banging the KG drum re Captain Chris since February. Every time he's run beyond 2m, he's stayed on strongly, even in defeat. 3m at Kempton would be no problem at all for him. He handled Cheltenham well in March, but had looked better going right-handed in his early days. Remember that KG/GC winners Best Mate and Kauto Star would have been outstanding Arkle favourites had they run, while KG/GC winner Kicking King was a good second in the Arkle to an outstanding 2 miler. Throw War of Attrition into the mix, and I'd say the Arkle is the best trial for a novice intending to go the KG/GC route.
Click to expand...

I don't really dispute any of that, rory.

I just feel that Captain Chris is no better a horse than Wishfull Thinking (the latter being much less 'sexy' and very-much over-looked in that respect - in my view at least), and with his stamina proven to a much greater degree, it makes more sense for connections to point Wishfull Thinking at the King George and Gold Cup, rather than Captain Chris........given they would appear to have a choice.

As Euro says, those at the top of the QM market look ripe for taking on, and it's not like Captain Chris is ever going to be entirely disadvantaged in a strongly-run 2m on a stiff track.
 
Last edited:
Grasshopper said:
I don't really dispute any of that, rory.

I just feel that Captain Chris is no better a horse than Wishfull Thinking (the latter being much less 'sexy' and very-much over-looked in that respect - in my view at least), and with his stamina proven to a much greater degree, it makes more sense for connections to point Wishfull Thinking at the King George and Gold Cup, rather than Captain Chris........given they would appear to have a choice.
Click to expand...

An embarras de richesses as the garlic-scoffers might say. I can see Diana Whateley interviewed now:

"Why have you sent Wishfull Thinking to the Sales - another sign of the economic downturn affecting business?"

"No, it's just that we've got another one exactly like it at home, and it seems such a waste."
 
Tingle Creek next for Sizing Europe according to Henry.
Half thinking of doing a day trip,half thinking he could completely blow out.
 
Indeed. Didn't harm him last season though. The time to back SE is when Finian's deposes him as Fav after some bloodless victory.
 
LUKE said:
Tingle Creek next for Sizing Europe according to Henry.
Half thinking of doing a day trip,half thinking he could completely blow out.
Click to expand...

I'll be there. Bringing Dad over from Ireland for day for first trip to NH racing in UK. Let me know if you fancy a beer.
 
Back
Top