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2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Havent a lot of the bookies given out the free bets etc already? Or am i mistaken?
 
It is farcical IMO. Surely he either has the injury or he doesn't?

Smells of Binocular all over again. Racing loses its integrity if he runs now, and I've actually got him a few win bets as my cover for Djakadam.
 
Kicking King was another example of an 'injured' horse being matched at huge prices and running. I don't see the problem - these bookies only have themselves to blame for returning stakes. Personally, I'd love him to run.
 
It's just too close to the race in my opinion. Even if the scan is positive, he will have missed a few weeks at a crucial point. And they could always decide to target Aintree and / or Punch.

Would be a bit reckless do run in the GC for me. Just don't see it happening.
 
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My take in this is that Tizzard expected there to be more visible signs of injury and because there aren't they are having another scan.
What that probably means is that if the prognosis is more positive then he'll probably not run again this season but they can start next season at a time that's consistent with prep for the usual big races, punters have interpreted Tizzards comments to mean that the horse has a chance of making the Gold Cup, in 19 days time, which has to be impossible, but it's brought the traders out and a few are making money by backing the big prices and laying off...
 
Yeah as much as I would love to see him back for the race I'd be amazed if he runs. He's too good a horse to risk. No way you can miss a week or so this close to the festival in a race like the Gold Cup.

Perhaps it's the norm to rescan again so soon on these types of injuries and just with Tizzard being so open when quizzed about the horse?
 
This is insane. Thistlecrack now into 3/1 with Boyle Sports. The only mainstream bookie I can see pricing up. Tizzard will surely have to make some kind of statement tomorrow before the re-scan has even happened.
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
Kicking King was another example of an 'injured' horse being matched at huge prices and running. I don't see the problem - these bookies only have themselves to blame for returning stakes. Personally, I'd love him to run.
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:encouragement:

The stakes they've returned will be about 1% of bets that they've taken compared to the day of the race. Just publicity and if it would actually hurt them they wouldn't do it. A non-story!

However, Thistlecrack running would be an almighty story. I'd be super skeptical of him turning up and he'd have to be the best horse in training to have a "prep" like this and win a Gold Cup.

I wasn't hugely aware of the circumstances surrounded Binocular they year he was batched at 999/1.... but in my head, it was earlier on in the season? Or is that way off?
 
I can't really understand the furore his comments have caused. It in no way suggests the horse might run, or they've had a change of heart.
 
He'd have to be one hell of a horse to win it with a messed up prep. And god forbid him running and something bad happening...
 
Can't Catch Me said:
I can't really understand the furore his comments have caused. It in no way suggests the horse might run, or they've had a change of heart.
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Completely agree CCM, i feel its just everyone trying to read in between the lines but always worth a punt at the triple figure prices as a just in case scenario as you guys have mentioned has happened twice before.

But i agree its being taken out of context
 
If it had no bearing on the horse running this season why has Tizzard even mentioned what was happening?
 
Maybe he just responded to a perfectly innocent question? 'How's Thistlecrack.... how's the injury and his recuperation...'
 
What a difference a day makes !, missed all this yesterday , But even if i had , as much as i'd love to see T.C run , I'd be wary to get
involved betting wise ,. If it seems too good... etc. . I think the internet is probably to blame , only takes a tiny whisper and it can
snowball and get blown right out of proportion ,and sure enough some people are gonna gain from it , . Seen it this year with several big names haven't we .
 
I think some people (not on here to be fair) are getting carried away. Even if the scan comes back good the horse will have missed vital work and at best surely will be aimed at Aintree or Punchestown if possible.
 
Encouraging about Djakadam, best shape he has been in supposedly. Obviously take everything Mullins says with a pinch of salt, but I truly believe he'll be there or thereabouts again.
 
I think there are going to be plenty of disappointed punters who have viewed Djakadam as the each-way bet to nothing. I think his best remains his second to Coneygree and despite the place last year (would almost certainly have been third) he hasn't really built on that performance. His form this season is relatively poor and despite his age I think his best days are now long gone. It may only take a low 170's to win but I think his current mark could easily be inflated by around 10lbs. If they had a true run race over three miles I honestly believe that Empire Of Dirt would beat him without coming off the bridle. I am not suggesting Empire Of Dirt should run in the Gold Cup (he is by far the most likely winner of the Ryanair) just that their respective ratings are wrong.
 
kinloch brae said:
I think there are going to be plenty of disappointed punters who have viewed Djakadam as the each-way bet to nothing. I think his best remains his second to Coneygree and despite the place last year (would almost certainly have been third) he hasn't really built on that performance. His form this season is relatively poor and despite his age I think his best days are now long gone. It may only take a low 170's to win but I think his current mark could easily be inflated by around 10lbs. If they had a true run race over three miles I honestly believe that Empire Of Dirt would beat him without coming off the bridle. I am not suggesting Empire Of Dirt should run in the Gold Cup (he is by far the most likely winner of the Ryanair) just that their respective ratings are wrong.
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Interesting thoughts.
I don't disagree that Djakadam could be overrated but you have some confidence in Empire of Dirt there.
If he does it it will be the most unconventional route I can remember, I certainly can't remember a horse to have come through the Mildmay en route to a Gold Cup win.
It's clear he's improved but before his prep run for last years win he was rated 133 ,he also has a tendency of hitting the deck .

I love hearing these 'off centre' views, it challenges you're own thinking...
 
kinloch brae said:
I think there are going to be plenty of disappointed punters who have viewed Djakadam as the each-way bet to nothing. I think his best remains his second to Coneygree and despite the place last year (would almost certainly have been third) he hasn't really built on that performance. His form this season is relatively poor and despite his age I think his best days are now long gone. It may only take a low 170's to win but I think his current mark could easily be inflated by around 10lbs. If they had a true run race over three miles I honestly believe that Empire Of Dirt would beat him without coming off the bridle. I am not suggesting Empire Of Dirt should run in the Gold Cup (he is by far the most likely winner of the Ryanair) just that their respective ratings are wrong.
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I'm afraid we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one, I can't figure out what part of Empire Of Dirts form should make him closer to Djakadam on ratings.

The Irish Gold Cup he finished 2nd in looked more of a Grand National trial with the horses that took part, and that field was way way below what is going to be contested and is contested in the Cheltenham Gold Cup every year, of which Djakadam has finished 2nd twice in 2 of these races. Djakadam has the consistent form in the book at the top level.

The ONLY line of form I can see that would make EOD ahead of Djakadam is if you took the Lexus form literally, which would take a brave man to do.
 
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