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2016 Gold Cup

Does anyone know how long stitches are applied, do they restrict the horses work and whether this means he may not get to Cheltenham 100% ?
 
Istabraq said:
Does anyone know how long stitches are applied, do they restrict the horses work and whether this means he may not get to Cheltenham 100% ?
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I think the main danger is infection, as long as the wound heals cleanly he should be OK, may even work in his favour having had a racecourse schooling session but will be ultra fresh.
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
Who was the last horse to win a Gold Cup, having tried and failed to win it the previous year (excluding those that were regaining their crown)? I can't think of one since I've been interested in racing!

I'm of the opinion that this years Gold Cup is a stronger renewal than last year so those that have tried and failed I'm prepared to dismiss.

This leaves me with 4 obvious contenders - Don Cossack, Don Poli, Vautour and Cue Card.......and I'm still undecided who will win.

I just hope every horse at the top of the market makes i there in one piece and we'll hopefully be in for classic!
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One of my all time favourite horses ran in the Gold cup as favourite, was run out by Cyborgo, then won it the following year, the horse was See more business, one of the most underrated horses of all time, I think it was 1998 when he won
He was the fourth leg of a Yankee for me the year he was obstructed with the first three having won and I had him at 7/2, the following year nobody would listen when I kept telling them he would win so I backed him at 33' s and 16' s and laughed at them when they told me I was jammy.
 
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See More Business is the last horse to win the race after failing on the first attempt. Pretty sure Beef or Salmon, Silvi Conti beaten favourites when trying.

Don Poli is the trends horse ?
 
Mullins said: "Djakadam had a few stitches put in at the top of his chest and will be just walking for a few days. As long as the stitches hold he will be fine and he did plenty of walking this morning.

"The vet had to give him an injection which rules out running again before Cheltenham.

"I think I've enough time (for Cheltenham) providing the cut doesn't get infected."

Djakadam's fall was just one of a number of disappointments for Mullins on the day, with Shaneshill and Up For Review both well beaten at Doncaster.

He said: "I was not happy with all the horses at Doncaster and I'd say they picked up a bit of a chill on the ferry. I thought they ran too bad to be true and it was just not their running.

"Paul (Townend) said he was flat out all the way on Shaneshill (in the Lightning Novices' Chase) and he will go up in trip next time.

"Morning Run is probably not back to herself yet this season, while Up For Review was beaten too far out. I would not be writing off Cheltenham with him yet but he was beaten by a good horse
 
...and Coneygree couldnt win last year because novices dont win it.

I think there has been an over reaction to Djakadam falling from the books.

Ruby has some tough calls to make in March and there might be value in Townend's mounts.
 
Just throwing this one out there ...

Ruby could ride Don Poli.
 
mayo said:
Just throwing this one out there ...

Ruby could ride Don Poli.
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Are you being mischievous Mayo or do you actually think there's a chance that Ruby would ride anything other than one of the Ricci horses if one, or both, turn up?
 
A bit ;) but Ricci doesnt retain him. If Cooper went with Don C would he let someone else take the ride ?
 
Hi all, long time since posting but wanted to get back involved!

I have quite strong views on this race and feel the focus around the 2 Ricci horses and the two Don's (Cossack and Poli) are wildly misleading and that the value in the race lies outside of these.
Djakadam - Ran a belter in the race last year albeit got a nice tow round the inside for much of it and his jumping fragilities at cheltenham have already been mentioned. However, he's still the Ricci's best Gold Cup horse in my opinion.
Vautour - Simply outstayed by Cue Card in the King George. He had over a 3 length advantage in the home straight on a flatter track and simply didn't get home. Suited by shorter and would walk to victory in the Ryanair.
Don Poli - A grinder with a touch of class is how I see him and I just fear he will be outpaced down the hill and round the final turn and have to much to do in the straight. However, I have never been a fan but in fairness to him he's done the business more than once.
Don Cossack - Strange performance in the King George, being hard ridden alongside Cue Card without making progress and falling as a result of a very weary jump visually suggested he didn't get home. He is magnificent on his day such as in the Punchestown Gold Cup but at 0-2 at cheltenham he's too short.

The two I like this year are this season's King George winner and last year's third:
Cue Card - Ran brilliantly in this season's King George and beat a top class rival fair and square by outstaying him to the line. Blessed with tactical speed and slick jumping, something I have never associated with Cue Card is true stamina and battling qualities but he showed it in spades in december and fully deserves his shot. CT is waxing lyrical about his work at home, he has significant experience, finishing out of the top 3 at cheltenham only twice in 8 races and has won a champion bumper and a ryanair. He should be better for better ground and 7/1 is a more than fair price.
Road to Riches - Was my fancy last year and will hopefully carry my money again. He was pipped for 2nd in the last 50yds by Djakadam, perhaps paying the price for being more prominent and chasing home the winner sooner, but ran superbly nonetheless. Had an interrupted early season but that means he's lightly raced and is the clear favourite for this weekends Irish Gold Cup. If in good order he should win that race fairly comfortably and then will no longer be available at the 12s currently being offered. However, there has also been a lot of speculation about him taking in the Ryanair, which would be criminal in my mind, plus there is the likelihood B Cooper won't be riding so the situation is admittedly more complicated than last year.
 
Good summary Lessey.
You haven't mentioned Smad Place, is he not entering your equation ?
 
mayo said:
A bit ;) but Ricci doesnt retain him. If Cooper went with Don C would he let someone else take the ride ?
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I haven't given Don Poli a great deal of thought I must admit, to me he looks to be a bit of a plodder, but Ruby would have the inside scoop would't he. I have to say I'm still in the Djakadam camp and would be amazed if the two Ricci horses got to the Gold cup and Ruby picked something else, I think Ricci would be amazed too.
 
Welcome back Lessey!

I totally agree with RTR. He will be a different horse this year coming into this race. Much more fresher and will play his cards better this time, better ground and he would have beaten Djakadam last year.
 
Ruby has first pick on all Mullins horses apart from giggy and mcmanus owned as they have retained jocks Cooper and Geraghty....If Cooper knocks back Don Poli Ruby would have first refusal on him, its possible he could ride Poli if Djackadam and Vautour dont make the race but we all know he'll be on Vautour if indeed he lines up.
 
iainmcf said:
Ruby has first pick on all Mullins horses apart from giggy and mcmanus owned as they have retained jocks Cooper and Geraghty....If Cooper knocks back Don Poli Ruby would have first refusal on him, its possible he could ride Poli if Djackadam and Vautour dont make the race but we all know he'll be on Vautour if indeed he lines up.
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Probably right Iain but if say Vautour went to Ryanair would he not pick a two time festival winner ahead of a horse that had fallen 2/3 times at the place ?
 
mayo said:
Probably right Iain but if say Vautour went to Ryanair would he not pick a two time festival winner ahead of a horse that had fallen 2/3 times at the place ?
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Could have a point there Mayo, I'm probably guilty of a bias towards Djakadam, I have it fixed in my mind that last years performance was amazing for a 6 year old, and every horse we talk about has some kind of issue, or something to prove. I' m now working on the assumption that everything turns up and runs it's race, let's see if that gets us anywhere
 
mayo said:
Probably right Iain but if say Vautour went to Ryanair would he not pick a two time festival winner ahead of a horse that had fallen 2/3 times at the place ?
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But at the same time that's the horse that came second last year to a horse who is not running in it this year. Who knows who he'll pick to ride but I'd imagine Vatour and Djakadam would come before Don Poli.
 
I cudnt see Ruby doing that Mayo...it wudnt be the politically right move to choose a giggy horse over a ricci horse...Mullins biggest owner against one of their main rivals...wudnt go down well I believe.
 
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