2024 Gold Cup

[EnvoiAlien]

Could've sworn he said 3m round Kempton would be too sharp for Gerri already this season, as he says himself he'll change his mind 10 times before then.

 

[Odin]

Could've sworn he said 3m round Kempton would be too sharp for Gerri already this season, as he says himself he'll change his mind 10 times before then.

He also talks about 2.5m suiting Imagine better, then suggests a 3m novice chase (the Feltham) could be his next port of call. Very strange.

 

[EnvoiAlien]

I wonder if hospitality on course was...very hospitable yesterday.

 

[SeanRock]

Could've sworn he said 3m round Kempton would be too sharp for Gerri already this season, as he says himself he'll change his mind 10 times before then.

If Jack gets him bowling along in front setting hard sectionals he would be hard to catch. The race looks wide open now! Arguably his best run last year was on a flat track at Aintree.

 

[Big Bucks]

Selfishly I want Gerri to go nowhere near the King George. Stick to original plan Gordy big son, Gold Cup is the end game! Nothing to prove at kempton!

 

[Lobos]

Selfishly I want Gerri to go nowhere near the King George. Stick to original plan Gordy big son, Gold Cup is the end game! Nothing to prove at kempton!

After getting done in a weak looking BANC maybe they want to try and pick up a big one elsewhere before the Fez ?

 

[TigerRolllllll]

Some odd race planning going on with many top fancies for this …..BMG, Shiskin….now GC & let’s see what Willie does with GDC

Martin Brassil must be licking his lips ….,and be wonderful for racing if he delivers

 

[Lobos]

Just watched the John Durkin back again which I always do the day after a big race as you can do it with a level head.

GDC really didn't jump clean at all over the first mile or so (also ballooned a couple) and took plenty of birch with him whilst Fastorslow and AI's fencing was immaculate. It turned into a bit of a sprint late on and it just looked to me that GDC was caught a little flat footed. He stayed on plenty good enough up the inadequate run in . The proximity of Blue Lord who was right there with them until making a hash of the last puts a different spin on the form for me as let's face it he is below top class.

 

[Exar Essay]

After getting done in a weak looking BANC maybe they want to try and pick up a big one elsewhere before the Fez ?

Or maybe they want to try and run him in a race that should be run at a reasonable lick to see if they can't avoid those flat spots. I wonder if Gordon would send something else to make the pace. Or rely on The Real Whacker if he goes.

Personally, I don't see it though.

 

[opatcho]

Just watched the John Durkin back again which I always do the day after a big race as you can do it with a level head.

GDC really didn't jump clean at all over the first mile or so (also ballooned a couple) and took plenty of birch with him whilst Fastorslow and AI's fencing was immaculate. It turned into a bit of a sprint late on and it just looked to me that GDC was caught a little flat footed. He stayed on plenty good enough up the inadequate run in . The proximity of Blue Lord who was right there with them until making a hash of the last puts a different spin on the form for me as let's face it he is below top class.

He wasnt great, I was watching the exchanges during the race and there was plenty of 2.0 - 2.3's early on.
I think that race will turn out to be one of the strongest heading into christmas and wouldnt discount that. GDC will be better for the run

 

[Lobos]

He wasnt great, I was watching the exchanges during the race and there was plenty of 2.0 - 2.3's early on.
I think that race will turn out to be one of the strongest heading into christmas and wouldnt discount that. GDC will be better for the run

Can understand those prices as he was awful early on. You have to wonder whether he's had any schooling at all over fences since the start of the season. His jumping did warm up but the damage to his confidence had already been done. I'm sure Willie will sort it for next time. As for the form of the race, I'm not sure. Time Will tell.

 

[darlojim]

The RaceIQ technology is very intriguing on that race (not been a huge fan of it being over promoted on RTC)

Fastorslow: 9.86 lengths GAINED
Appreciate It: 7.85 lengths GAINED
Galopin Des Champs: 5.94 lengths LOST

Was obvious to the eye that GDC was jumping so poor early on and throughout, but basically thats what has cost him the race, not his ability engine wise. ​

 

[Benjy23]

Isn't that more of a concern though? What was almost his biggest asset is now a flaw. Think I'd have rather see him jump well but not see the race out, as if needing the run. Rather than jump poorly basically from the off.

 

[darlojim]

Isn't that more of a concern though? What was almost his biggest asset is now a flaw. Think I'd have rather see him jump well but not see the race out, as if needing the run. Rather than jump poorly basically from the off.

I'd much rather they just had him prominent now looking back at the gold cup and this weekends run, where he jumped poorly on both ocassions, but both were when he was in behind horses which I don't think suits him at all.

 

[Lobos]

The RaceIQ technology is very intriguing on that race (not been a huge fan of it being over promoted on RTC)

Fastorslow: 9.86 lengths GAINED
Appreciate It: 7.85 lengths GAINED
Galopin Des Champs: 5.94 lengths LOST

Was obvious to the eye that GDC was jumping so poor early on and throughout, but basically thats what has cost him the race, not his ability engine wise. ​

Exactly how I saw it after rewatching. He clearly appreciates further these days too.

 

[Lobos]

Isn't that more of a concern though? What was almost his biggest asset is now a flaw. Think I'd have rather see him jump well but not see the race out, as if needing the run. Rather than jump poorly basically from the off.

Had they schooled him enough though ? If not then Willie will go back to basics. Thought I read somewhere that Willie isn't keen on giving them a lot of jumping practice.

 

[FinalFurlong91]

I'd much rather they just had him prominent now looking back at the gold cup and this weekends run, where he jumped poorly on both ocassions, but both were when he was in behind horses which I don't think suits him at all.

My impression is that Paul rarely if ever asks him for a jump these days

He just let's him fiddle his way over them as he doesn't want to ask for a big one then light him up

Think the mission to calm him down has worked, potentially slightly too well for him to be winning at 2m4f on his seasonal reappearance

 

[Irish Rugby]

My impression is that Paul rarely if ever asks him for a jump these days

He just let's him fiddle his way over them as he doesn't want to ask for a big one then light him up

Think the mission to calm him down has worked, potentially slightly too well for him to be winning at 2m4f on his seasonal reappearance

Yes, I can concur with that.

Apart from the obvious, one of this year's sideshows is going to see how both Nicholls and Mullins bring their staying chasing stars (BMG & GDC) back to the boil for their 23-24 respective targets.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yes, I can concur with that.

Apart from the obvious, one of this year's sideshows is going to see how both Nicholls and Mullins bring their staying chasing stars (BMG & GDC) back to the boil for their 23-24 respective targets.

As far as Nicholls is concerned pretty sure the KG is BMG big race of the season and imo he’s already messed that up with running him twice.
He could change that and target the GC and miss the KG, that to me is the only chance he would have of performing well enough in the GC.
Would be surprised if he did do that though.
Think he will go for the KG and hope he’s up to last year’s performance.
I suspect he won’t be.

 

[FinalFurlong91]

As far as Nicholls is concerned pretty sure the KG is BMG big race of the season and imo he’s already messed that up with running him twice.
He could change that and target the GC and miss the KG, that to me is the only chance he would have of performing well enough in the GC.
Would be surprised if he did do that though.
Think he will go for the KG and hope he’s up to last year’s performance.
I suspect he won’t be.

I'd be very surprised if Nicholls actually wanted to run at haydock

I get the feeling the owner has forced him to run

He's a horse who is better with gaps between his races and as you said has likely already lost the king george by running on Saturday

He's now had 5 hard races in a row (and lost 4 of them) and gone back to finding zilch off the bridle