Cheltenham Gold Cup - 2019.

[jack1092]

It's yielding to soft- with little or no rain and a slight breeze. The ground will be probably be yielding or better?

Maybe that's why?

[Tigerroll]

Pat ‘Mr Trend Buster’ Kelly - And I ain’t got to explain myself to anybody! Absolutely brilliant!!

[archie]

[BigChaang]

On Racing uk / tv ? ... a statement from Phillip Reynolds .. All is well .... May get an entry for Bobbyjo ... etc.

[TC2]

PP being added to the stayers exchange market by the looks of it

[Kevloaf]

We'll look back in 20 years at this horse/trainer/Gold Cup and all the Negative Nancy's will be talking him up with how much they loved him

[KingSprinterSacre]

From ATR website -

Percy may head for Bobbyjo en route to Gold CupOwner Reynolds unfazed by surprise Red Mills absence

The Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse has emerged as a potential target for Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy after connections elected to sidestep Saturday’s Red Mills at Gowran Park.

Having won his second Galmoy Hurdle at the County Kilkenny circuit last month, Pat Kelly’s stable star was due to return to fences for a race in which he was narrowly denied by the ill-fated Our Duke 12 months ago.

The dual Cheltenham Festival winner was not among the declarations on Friday, but owner Philip Reynolds insists his pride and joy is in rude health.

Reynolds told Press Association Sport: “All is good with Percy. He schooled this morning, and there no problems.

“Pat and myself had a good chat about it, and he is just happy with where he is and didn’t feel we needed to run him this weekend.

“We’re keeping the faith and staying positive.”

Presenting Percy will be given the option of running in the Bobbyjo Chase on February 23.

However, Reynolds is not ruling out the possibility of heading straight to Cheltenham with his charge – in which case he will run in the Gold Cup having not jumped a fence in public since his impressive display in the RSA Chase at Prestbury Park last March.

He added: “We’re going to give him an entry in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

“Pat is in no rush with him, and if we decide to go straight to Cheltenham then so be it.”

Following his Galmoy Hurdle success, there were suggestions Presenting Percy could switch to a tilt at the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham – should he not run over fences in the meantime.

But when asked whether the Stayers’ Hurdle could be a serious option, Reynolds said: “That is not the plan. The plan remains as it was, and that is to run at Cheltenham (in the Gold Cup) on March 15.”

[Nortons who]

The situation with PP may be unusual but it's clearly dividing opinion and personally I don't think it's good for jump racing. I believe that the majority of racing fans and punters prefer to see horses race against each other during the season, with the best of them progressing through to the championship races at the major festivals. I can't think of any other sport where the finalists go straight through to the final without having proved themselves worthy by beating opponents along the way. So why should it be any different for jump racing ?

As already mentioned we had Penhill last year in the Stayers hurdle and potentially PP could run in the GC without having run in a Chase during the season. Maybe it's time that additional qualifying criteria were introduced for the championship races, such that horses must be placed in say 2-3 recognised trials during the season over the same discipline, in order to qualify.

[Kevloaf]

The situation with PP may be unusual but it's clearly dividing opinion and personally I don't think it's good for jump racing. I believe that the majority of racing fans and punters prefer to see horses race against each other during the season, with the best of them progressing through to the championship races at the major festivals. I can't think of any other sport where the finalists go straight through to the final without having proved themselves worthy by beating opponents along the way. So why should it be any different for jump racing ?

As already mentioned we had Penhill last year in the Stayers hurdle and potentially PP could run in the GC without having run in a Chase during the season. Maybe it's time that additional qualifying criteria were introduced for the championship races, such that horses must be placed in say 2-3 recognised trials during the season over the same discipline, in order to qualify.

Harsh to penalise horses that may be fragile?

What if ground goes against them on their 'trial'?

What if they are therefore forced to run when they don't need to?



I see your point, but that wouldn't work or be fair.

[Hurricane fly]

Kev you had a G&T or two?

Just seen the poll

[Kevloaf]

Kev you had a G&T or two?

Just seen the poll

Haha, no HF - not a drop - long drive down to Ascot first thing!

The reason for it is a few pages back

[JackieMoon33]

Given the dry ground is not letting up, do you think Al Boum Photo is unlikely to get another run in and be kept for next seasons Gold Cup?

[Scooby91]

Given the dry ground is not letting up, do you think Al Boum Photo is unlikely to get another run in and be kept for next seasons Gold Cup?

I think only Willie could answer that. He's mentioned it so its a definite possibility.

Maybe even an excuse to pop him in the Ryanair.

[Scooby91]

There's your gold cup winner

[Quevega]

There's your gold cup winner

I'm still not convinced.
Can't imagine it can travel that well in a gold cup.
But he looked very good today (against nothing much to be fair)
Love how he quickened away with plenty left though.
I could easily be wrong, but sometimes you got to take a view.