2025 Champion Chase

[Lobos]

I'd agree with some that, after that, it looks straight forward now. GW and Energumene to the Champion Chase and El Fab to the Ryanair.

 

[riccirich]

I agree he should've switched,but the final fence error wasn't on Banbridge,Egernumene took his ground before he landed hence the unseat as he was carried right before landing fully.
I'd be looking at why Energumene was jumping to his right too if I was Willie,unless he's always done it,I can't say I'd noticed before myself.

He's always done it occasionally. If you look back at some of his novice runs at leopardstown he used to go to the right, but at Cheltenham he doesn't seem to for some reason.

 

[Craigy14]

I'd agree with some that, after that, it looks straight forward now. GW and Energumene to the Champion Chase and El Fab to the Ryanair.

As much as I love energumene, he’s not going to send him and El Fab to the champion chase imo, he’ll be 11 and el fab will be 9 with jumping issues.

He’s found the secret, or so it would seem, with Gaelic Warrior so he’ll surely go with Energumene as he’ll be 7 and was a very good Arkle winner this season.

 

[Lobos]

As much as I love energumene, he’s not going to send him and El Fab to the champion chase imo, he’ll be 11 and el fab will be 9 with jumping issues.

He’s found the secret, or so it would seem, with Gaelic Warrior so he’ll surely go with Energumene as he’ll be 7 and was a very good Arkle winner this season.

Yep, completely agree.

 

[Craigy14]

I read it as they would consider the King George for Gaelic if he'd gone to the John Durkan, but he missed that so he'd start over 2m at home rather than 3m abroad, which is fair enough - particularly with El Fabiolo missing Xmas (has that been confirmed or is it still a rumour?). There's then no other suitable Grade 1 race over more than 2m except the Ascot Chase, which is too close to Cheltenham for him to go to surely.

I'll accept I was fully expecting Gaelic to go for King George, but I also fully expected (and still do) him to go to the DRF 2 miler with El Fabiolo after Xmas. Energumene surely goes Clarence House now which will have a big bearing on who the Champion Chase horse is imo. If Jonbon beats Energumene, I'd have Gaelic as the Champion Chase horse (assuming he wins at Xmas and DRF). FWIW I think all 3 beat Jonbon over 2m at Cheltenham, I think Gaelic is the only one of the three that could win a Ryanair.

You might be right with that mate, I honestly couldn’t agree or disagree as I can’t remember.

If he was behind his work etc it makes sense but we’ve heard from connections that they are planning back from the champion chase. I know things can change but that seems to be the thinking at present.

 

[EnvoiAlien]

He's always done it occasionally. If you look back at some of his novice runs at leopardstown he used to go to the right, but at Cheltenham he doesn't seem to for some reason.

Yeah I had a look back and only really noticed one other instance and he was under no pressure at the time,think he was just idling that day.
It's nice to see him back & also nice to hear Ferny was all good after his fall,always had a lot of time for FH,shame he's been so injury prone.

 

[riccirich]

I must say I'm a bit lost at the amount of confidence seemingly behind gaelic warrior not just running in this race, but possibly being first choice of mullins trio.

Not that it can't happen obviously, but he only has one noteworthy win over 2m, in last seasons arkle, which was ran on very heavy ground. For a horse that was once thought of as a three miler, it surely has to be a worry that race was not much of a speed test, and he may have just enjoyed the ground more than the rest and outstayed them.

He then went on to punchestown for the 2m race. This time ran on better ground and more of a speed track, and was comfortably beaten by il etait temps. Possibly just an end of season below par run, but you'd have to consider the distinct possibility that it just showed he's not a true 2m chaser. At the price he is right now, I'd have real reservations about him in a top class 2m chase on better ground, with the added worry that the faster pace of a champion chase on better ground compared to the arkle might make that jumping to the right come to the fore again.

 

[Imperial Commander]

I would think anyone backing Energ would be happy with that.
His next race will be interesting for sure re improving for a run as
Banbridge to me is a long way from winning a CC,

I'd have thought if Banbridge got his ground and was targetted at the Festival, he'd be heading to the Ryanair wouldn't he?

 

[Irish Rugby]

Think the main thing is that we have the 2 time winner earning the right to line up again.
Great for the race and us to
look forward to

Yes, that's my take. Certainly deserves to line up in March. Jonbon to ruin a Mullins 1,2,3 if all Willie's turn up. No idea which of the Mullins will come out best, each have their merits.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

I'd have thought if Banbridge got his ground and was targetted at the Festival, he'd be heading to the Ryanair wouldn't he?

Yep, but I would not touch him personally
Dont think the course suits him

 

[Altior]

I must say I'm a bit lost at the amount of confidence seemingly behind gaelic warrior not just running in this race, but possibly being first choice of mullins trio.

Not that it can't happen obviously, but he only has one noteworthy win over 2m, in last seasons arkle, which was ran on very heavy ground. For a horse that was once thought of as a three miler, it surely has to be a worry that race was not much of a speed test, and he may have just enjoyed the ground more than the rest and outstayed them.

He then went on to punchestown for the 2m race. This time ran on better ground and more of a speed track, and was comfortably beaten by il etait temps. Possibly just an end of season below par run, but you'd have to consider the distinct possibility that it just showed he's not a true 2m chaser. At the price he is right now, I'd have real reservations about him in a top class 2m chase on better ground, with the added worry that the faster pace of a champion chase on better ground compared to the arkle might make that jumping to the right come to the fore again.

Yeah but it is very likely Cheltenham will be a bog again in March :chuncky:

 

[Kautostar]

Absolutely nothing is set in stone here regarding targets. The drf will likely decide the targets or final preps for those that don’t run there then there’s the inevitable injuries along the way. Long way to go!

 

[Runragged]

RIP Ferny Hollow, sadly never fulfilled his potential.

 

[Yosser]

RIP Ferny Hollow, sadly never fulfilled his potential.

I know it's part of the sport but Ferny should have been retired long ago. A needless death imo.

 

[Deleted member 4957]

I know it's part of the sport but Ferny should have been retired long ago. A needless death imo.

The problem with a statement like that is it suggests mistreatment/mismanagement by owners and Cheveley Park couldn’t be more sensitive to a horses wellbeing, it’s engrained in their DNA.
The horse was a 9yo, he came back from a lengthy absence to win a graded race at Naas suggesting he was not only fit and well but retained a big chunk of his obvious ability, one thing is for sure, if Cheveley Park or Mullins thought the horse wasn’t enjoying his racing or thought he couldn’t do himself justice they most certainly would have retired him….

 

[Quevega]

The problem with a statement like that is it suggests mistreatment/mismanagement by owners and Cheveley Park couldn’t be more sensitive to a horses wellbeing, it’s engrained in their DNA.
The horse was a 9yo, he came back from a lengthy absence to win a graded race at Naas suggesting he was not only fit and well but retained a big chunk of his obvious ability, one thing is for sure, if Cheveley Park or Mullins thought the horse wasn’t enjoying his racing or thought he couldn’t do himself justice they most certainly would have retired him….

Totally agree, and it was just a racing accident anyway.
However, I must admit my first thought when hearing the news was exactly what Yosser thought by the looks of it.

 

[Yosser]

The problem with a statement like that is it suggests mistreatment/mismanagement by owners and Cheveley Park couldn’t be more sensitive to a horses wellbeing, it’s engrained in their DNA.
The horse was a 9yo, he came back from a lengthy absence to win a graded race at Naas suggesting he was not only fit and well but retained a big chunk of his obvious ability, one thing is for sure, if Cheveley Park or Mullins thought the horse wasn’t enjoying his racing or thought he couldn’t do himself justice they most certainly would have retired him….

Not at all Ista. I have no doubt he had a great life in the stables and i love a story of when a horse comes back from injury and defies the odds but this lad has had multiple debilitating injuries. Race conditions were always going to push it to the limit. Not sure where they think he would have ended up. A handicapper maybe? They couldn't have thought he could still be Grade 1 material surely.

Edit - It is entirely plausible that the plan was to retire him after the race if he wasn't up to it. I wouldn't say mistreatment/mismanagement, more careless/reckless. That's just my opinion though rightly or wrongly.

 

[Deleted member 4957]

Not at all Ista. I have no doubt he had a great life in the stables and i love a story of when a horse comes back from injury and defies the odds but this lad has had multiple debilitating injuries. Race conditions were always going to push it to the limit. Not sure where they think he would have ended up. A handicapper maybe? They couldn't have thought he could still be Grade 1 material surely.

Edit - It is entirely plausible that the plan was to retire him after the race if he wasn't up to it. I wouldn't say mistreatment/mismanagement, more careless/reckless. That's just my opinion though rightly or wrongly.

I'd imagine anyone connected with Cheveley Park or Mullins would be equally upset at the suggestion of carelessness/recklessness when it comes to their horses as opposed to mistreatment or mismanagement, but if that's your opinion then you are free to express it, I just happen to disagree...

 

[Lobos]

Found A Fifty 80/20 for Leopardstown over KG

 

[Lobos]

"Gaelic Warrior steps back on to the track. He has made people lean in, push back and even fall off their chairs. Two miles it seems is the chosen direction but then plans can and do change.
Leopardstown has not been a particularly happy hunting ground; he scraped home in a handicap hurdle and then blew out spectacularly at the Dublin Racing Festival last season; coincidence perhaps. The addition of a hood certainly helped at Cheltenham. If a horse is more relaxed, then he is less likely to fight you, and if you’re not fighting then they’re more likely to listen to what you’re saying. (I should get Willie a hood for Christmas).

While he is the best horse in the race, if he were to be vulnerable this year, then perhaps it would be this day, taking on horses who have all had a run, on ground that will be very different to his two best performances last year. But I can’t wait to get back on him. He is a beast."