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Queen Mother Champion Chase 2019

I'm throwing one out there - Great Field - Champion Chase

You'd be hard pressed to find a horse who has loved the transition to fences more than Great Field. Rumour has it a few names politely refused the ride when watching this animal schooling, and during his first three demolitions over in Ireland it became quite clear why. He's the Paul Walker of National Hunt.

I was much more impressed by his latest run in Navan last March where he comfortably put away a solid yardstick in Doctor Phoenix. He was measured in this round of jumping, despite understandably tiring close to home in heavy ground.

Obviously a fragile horse we've only seen him race once in 18 months, but I think this has allowed him to go under the radar compared to what we have seen on the track. At 25/1 this price reflects the strength and depth of the yard he's from, but on a closer look you'd think it is certainly possible Great Field ends up the Mullins A-string come March.

At 3/1 Footpad holds the best claims with his usually flawless jumping and probably one of the performances of the 2018 festival. However he's also the horse with the most potential of stepping up in trip. Mullins Gold Cup hand (ABP, Bellshill) is average at best, and if the yard rumours we are hearing today that Footpad may take in the King George are true, you'd have to consider it now more than a remote chance he lines up for the blue riband event. A strong performance in the King George (which to be fair, he looks tailor made for) would only serve to solidify this. Running over the others; Min has been proved on several occasions now to be below the class, UDS needs it heavy to be shown at best effect here and Douvan is reported lame again today - you can't take ante post on a horse with his profile.

At 25/1 each-way I think Great Field is a knocking bet as this is his only realistic target, and I would even fancy him to give Altior a proper shake up. Given his exhilarating, front running style of racing it's quite possible they won't be able to reel him back in.



PS: nice to meet everyone

welcome Bobbyvalentino , I was reading up about Great field at the weekend and had to have a little bet on him.
Got 25-1 with Paddy .p i think it was.
 
He was joint favourite for a County Hurdle so there was some confidence behind him. If you watch the race back there's no early gallop and he races far too freely. It was only his second run for Mullins so, like Leman, I'd be happy to put a line through.

Welcome to the forum - super opening post.

The thing that slightly puts me off Great Field ever so slightly, is that PP are best price.
Now that doesn't really make any sense, as has been pointed out, he really doesn't seem to have any other options at the festival.

I suppose the worry would be, will he be at the festival at all? (He's shown to not be the most fragile and may be kept for some of the 2 mile chases in Ireland?)

They are only really minor concerns though.


PP are also 25/1 about Min - I'm not in the Min fan-club by any stretch but if he was to run here he's no where near a 25/1 shot.

I have thought/posted in the Ryanair thread (I think) about Min stepping up in trip for that, which this standout PP price also reflects, but it does seem too big a price.

Not about to act on either but interesting in my opinion.
 
I got a PP Boost which took him up to 40s...……...which was very unexpected. Welcome aboard Bobby
 
Again, another big jump, Footpad gets mentioned for the King George, then attracts near £2k of matched bets on the exchanges for this race.

He is now nearly £2k clear of Altior on traded money.
 
Douvan out for the season
 
Yep and same leg too. Unfortunately i think that will be him done. Never got to a live up to how truly great Willie rated him.
Cant see Footpad going anywhere bar here now.
 
Yep and same leg too. Unfortunately i think that will be him done. Never got to a live up to how truly great Willie rated him.
Cant see Footpad going anywhere bar here now.

I agree.

Also explains the additional money for him for this race despite the King George being mentioned.
 
I'm throwing one out there - Great Field - Champion Chase

You'd be hard pressed to find a horse who has loved the transition to fences more than Great Field. Rumour has it a few names politely refused the ride when watching this animal schooling, and during his first three demolitions over in Ireland it became quite clear why. He's the Paul Walker of National Hunt.

I was much more impressed by his latest run in Navan last March where he comfortably put away a solid yardstick in Doctor Phoenix. He was measured in this round of jumping, despite understandably tiring close to home in heavy ground.

Obviously a fragile horse we've only seen him race once in 18 months, but I think this has allowed him to go under the radar compared to what we have seen on the track. At 25/1 this price reflects the strength and depth of the yard he's from, but on a closer look you'd think it is certainly possible Great Field ends up the Mullins A-string come March.

At 3/1 Footpad holds the best claims with his usually flawless jumping and probably one of the performances of the 2018 festival. However he's also the horse with the most potential of stepping up in trip. Mullins Gold Cup hand (ABP, Bellshill) is average at best, and if the yard rumours we are hearing today that Footpad may take in the King George are true, you'd have to consider it now more than a remote chance he lines up for the blue riband event. A strong performance in the King George (which to be fair, he looks tailor made for) would only serve to solidify this. Running over the others; Min has been proved on several occasions now to be below the class, UDS needs it heavy to be shown at best effect here and Douvan is reported lame again today - you can't take ante post on a horse with his profile.

At 25/1 each-way I think Great Field is a knocking bet as this is his only realistic target, and I would even fancy him to give Altior a proper shake up. Given his exhilarating, front running style of racing it's quite possible they won't be able to reel him back in.



PS: nice to meet everyone

Paddys and Betfair must have finally read your case, nicely cut today...
 
1988 the last time an 8 year old champion won as a 9 year old. Anyone worried about that stat?
 
1988 the last time an 8 year old champion won as a 9 year old. Anyone worried about that stat?

What age was Moscow Flyer when he regained it? Just a coincidence rather than a solid stat.
 
You might just as well say that the unseat cost Moscow Flyer the year before. I think he beat Azertyuiop every other time they met.
 
You might just as well say that the unseat cost Moscow Flyer the year before. I think he beat Azertyuiop every other time they met.

Azer would of beat him anyway that year :devilish:

Was there for both races, the difference in atmosphere from one year (the fall) to the next (the regain) was quite something.