2025 Champion Chase

[Carnage at Taunton]

Agree with Quevega, against this opposition the trip would be no problem for IEF.

Well he’s had 1 chase over 2m which he won easily enough in France and was then stepped up to distances he’s now been used to running in last couple of years.
I think he would be a fascinating runner wherever he turns up cos of his style of running, but no idea how he would fare against proper 2 milers!!

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Do you think IEF at 7 years old can run as fast as the 9yr old Jonbon and the 11 yr old energumene ? -
Both of whom have been talked about as likely better over further by their trainers but circumstances and a weak division have left them at 2 miles.

Don’t know until I see it.
No evidence at all that says he’s better at 2 miles than them.
Only evidence I can see is that he was stepped up in trip from 2m to 2m 6.
Suggesting to me it was felt he needed further to have the most success.

 

[Quevega]

Don’t know until I see it.
No evidence at all that says he’s better at 2 miles than them.
Only evidence I can see is that he was stepped up in trip from 2m to 2m 6.
Suggesting to me it was felt he needed further to have the most success.

Il est Francais average speed at kempton (2 years running) was higher than 7/8 of Jonbons last 8 starts.

Different courses and ground of course, but crucially one horses speed is averaged over 3 miles not 2.

Energumene has never, ever ever - averaged a higher speed than Il Est Francais's 2 runs at Kempton.

Is that evidence enough for you ?

Much classier horse in terms of pure ability IMO - but with a squiggle for sure.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Il est Francais average speed at kempton (2 years running) was higher than 7/8 of Jonbons last 8 starts.

Different courses and ground of course, but crucially one horses speed is averaged over 3 miles not 2.

Energumene has never, ever ever - averaged a higher speed than Il Est Francais's 2 runs at Kempton.

Is that evidence enough for you ?

Much classier horse in terms of pure ability IMO - but with a squiggle for sure.

No.
Need to see him in a 2m race.
Horses usually are ridden to win not break speed records.

 

[Quevega]

No.
Need to see him in a 2m race.
Horses usually are ridden to win not break speed records.

Do you only ever bet on horses returning to win the same race at the same course the following year ? :highly_amused:

Fact is - he's got the pace. No doubt.
Probably never know anyway.:loyal:

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Do you only ever bet on horses returning to win the same race at the same course the following year ? :highly_amused:

Fact is - he's got the pace. No doubt.
Probably never know anyway.:loyal:

:biggrin-new:
Im all for looking at different angles and methods to get nice prices and I don’t dispute he’s an intriguing runner in the CC, and im not saying I wouldn’t have him on side if the price is right.
Just not as confident about him over 2m in this company as others it seems.

 

[Quevega]

:biggrin-new:
Im all for looking at different angles and methods to get nice prices and I don’t dispute he’s an intriguing runner in the CC, and im not saying I wouldn’t have him on side if the price is right.
Just not as confident about him over 2m in this company as others it seems.

I'm not either but 9-1 NRNB was worth having just in case IMO.
Would not go off that price unless he gets pulled up in that daft handicap off top weight.

 

[Lobos]

He's the modern day One Man.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

I'm not either but 9-1 NRNB was worth having just in case IMO.
Would not go off that price unless he gets pulled up in that daft handicap off top weight.

Totally agree 9/1 is definitely worth it from what you are saying.

I should be going to Kempton for that meeting so I’m hoping he runs there, he’s an exciting watch alright.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

I'm not either but 9-1 NRNB was worth having just in case IMO.
Would not go off that price unless he gets pulled up in that daft handicap off top weight.

I hope he goes for the Ryanair, not because of the ticket I have on him, but because I think he'd set it up lovely for Fact To File!

 

[Quevega]

He's the modern day One Man.

One man used to cut out though.
IEF was not slowing in the King George, which means Banbridge ran a proper gold cup trial. 33-1 + boost is a proper price with B365.

 

[Lobos]

One man used to cut out though.
IEF was not slowing in the King George, which means Banbridge ran a proper gold cup trial. 33-1 + boost is a proper price with B365.

He was slowing. He just ran out of puff. You could tell by how the jock didn't attack that last fence. He could feel him emptying under him. No disgrace though. The rest were just woeful in behind and ran no sort of race.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

One man used to cut out though.
IEF was not slowing in the King George, which means Banbridge ran a proper gold cup trial. 33-1 + boost is a proper price with B365.

He did cut out eventually, hence being caught.

Was reminiscent of the Vautour/Cue Card running of the race. Cue Card came out the pack and done Vautour on the line, this wasn't a million miles off this, IMO.

 

[Quevega]

He was slowing. He just ran out of puff. You could tell by how the jock didn't attack that last fence. He could feel him emptying under him. No disgrace though. The rest were just woeful in behind and ran no sort of race.

He wasn't slowing. He was going faster than his average speed throughout the race. 103% the clock boys say.

 

[Quevega]

He did cut out eventually, hence being caught.

Was reminiscent of the Vautour/Cue Card running of the race. Cue Card came out the pack and done Vautour on the line, this wasn't a million miles off this, IMO.

He didn't cut out though, just got chased down.

 

[Quevega]

https://www.attheraces.com/blogs/sectional-spotlight/29-December-2024/kempton-christmas-festival

fastest finish since 2005 when the course was changed.

 

[DenmanSacre]

Don’t know until I see it.
No evidence at all that says he’s better at 2 miles than them.
Only evidence I can see is that he was stepped up in trip from 2m to 2m 6.
Suggesting to me it was felt he needed further to have the most success.

Being stepped up is all due to the programme in France. Hardly any races over 2m at Auteuil over fences once they get above 5. Most are over a mid trip as prep for the grade 1s, which are run over further than 3m.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Being stepped up is all due to the programme in France. Hardly any races over 2m at Auteuil over fences once they get above 5. Most are over a mid trip as prep for the grade 1s, which are run over further than 3m.

Ok, weren’t aware of that, not much knowledge of French racing to be honest.
Hrs been over here a couple of times though, both over 3m.
Maybe he will go shorter in his next race over here.

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

One man used to cut out though.
IEF was not slowing in the King George, which means Banbridge ran a proper gold cup trial. 33-1 + boost is a proper price with B365.

It's an amazing price in my eyes. Just need the weather gods to play ball.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

It's an amazing price in my eyes. Just need the weather gods to play ball.

Yeah, I've taken some after Quevega mentioned it, using the boost is a bonus too!