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2026 Champion Chase

EnvoiAlien said:
Is their a braille version of this, and maybe one for Kevin Blake.
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I'd assumed that he was angling for the bookies to go with a price that gave him a better cash-out.
 
archie said:
For those who don't see a Majborough jumping issue.

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www.racingpost.com
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Whilst I have no stake in the race as yet, and think his jumping is well below the level required.

I read this article earlier and thought it was a load of bollocks.

Using colours and charts as though this provides emphasis and added validation and then to top it all - the expert view at the end by well known genius of horse racing Graeme Rodway,

The Barney Gumble of horse racing pundits.
 
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Quevega said:
Whilst I have no stake in the race as yet, and think his jumping is well below the level required.

I read this article earlier and thought it was a load of bollocks.

Using colours and charts as though this provides emphasis and added validation and then to top it all - the expert view at the end by well known genius of horse racing Graeme Rodway,

The Barney Gumble of horse racing pundits.
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Unfortunately its where the game is now, coloured charts & software to tell you what your eyes can't, its all a nonsense by morons for morons.
 
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ComplyOrDie said:
When you put this post up I was surprised he got an RPR of 169, but one thing I completely forgot was that he had to give FAF weight, I know it was only 4lbs, but like you say, seasonal debut, with improvement to come, it may be enough that he puts in a serious performance at Leopardstown. I don't think he'll need to be at his best there, but if he is I can see an overreaction should he win well, he'll be a machine again, to some!

FWIW, I want him to turn up to Cheltenham with a live chance, I've got him covered, just right now I couldn't trust him to put it all together.
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Think we are probably in a similar place - I too have him covered but he's not a horse I want to back at a short price
 
I’m just glad I dodged sir Gino. Just love marine nationale for this. Hope he turns up in good shape over Christmas
 
I want it the other way round. Maj to win with Marine a very respectable second so i can pile in :D I have already messed up with Il Etait Temps so want this one to go my way
 
EnvoiAlien said:
Kalif Du Berlais jumps like a buck, Majborough would have a bigger engine, but how many lengths will he lose Vs how many does KDB gain at each fence, makes me wonder if the 50/1 is worth another look as again, we have an open looking Grade 1, when these races lack a dominant horse many connections will consider it worth gambling on an entry.
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I had a nibble at 16s before the season started, despite the unfavourable record for 6yos (also applies to Maj). The reappearance was pretty poor in the haldon GC though. Did any reason as to why come out of it? Other than he couldn’t go the pace
 
ComplyOrDie said:
Horses make mistakes all the time, so he won't be the only one doing so, but if they are good enough, IMO, they still manage to win.

Kopek Des Bordes over hurdles on debut and even at Cheltenham is a more recent example of this.

Personally, I just don't think Majborough is a 2 miler and it's costing him, or he's just not as good as everyone wants to believe.

Strangely, despite the above, I do think his target will be the 2m race at Christmas, over anything else this eason.

He'll have a fitness advantage over Marine Nationale & Quilixios if they even turn up, Il Etait Temps doesn't like Leopardstown and probably won't even turn up to the race, Found A Fifty won't have the fitness edge over Majborough this time around, El Fabiolo can't stay upright, and Dinoblue may turn up but jumped even worse than Majborough last time out. It's like the perfect storm for Majborough, IMO.

FWIW as well, Found A Fifty is still a 25/1 shot for the Champion Chase despite winning both his races this season, so should represent some value IF you are fancying Majborough. He also finished ahead of Il Etait Temps in the Arkle, when both were behind Gaelic Warrior.

Apologies, I went on a bit of a diversion there :ROFLMAO:
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I don't think Maj is a two miler either but I think it's clear he has an engine. The juvenile division he won the triumph in was the hottest in years and his novice chase form has worked out ok with LDS, OBN etc. At 6/1 I'm happier to take a punt on him finding the requisite improvement (knowing he's already a length within of FAF giving weight) than I was without him having ran in open company at 3/1. Price game really and I barely punt the championship G1s antepost nowadays
 
Ellisgittings said:
I don't think Maj is a two miler either but I think it's clear he has an engine.
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I think this sums up the Mullins operation, he knows he has his intermediate and staying chasers so is trying to make Majborough a two miler even though he’d probably be a better horse over further, but he has a set and clear plan for the likes of Fact to File and Galopin des Champs amongst others whereas the two mile division was bear until Ill Etait Temps won the Tingle Creek.
Not the first time he’s done it and won’t be the last, it’s a symptom of having so much high quality talent in the yard…
 
Kauto’s star said:
I had a nibble at 16s before the season started, despite the unfavourable record for 6yos (also applies to Maj). The reappearance was pretty poor in the haldon GC though. Did any reason as to why come out of it? Other than he couldn’t go the pace
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Most significant consequence seems to have been that Nicholls quickly drew stumps on the 2m route. Premature as far as I’m concerned. But there you are….
 
Istabraq said:
I think this sums up the Mullins operation, he knows he has his intermediate and staying chasers so is trying to make Majborough a two miler even though he’d probably be a better horse over further, but he has a set and clear plan for the likes of Fact to File and Galopin des Champs amongst others whereas the two mile division was bear until Ill Etait Temps won the Tingle Creek.
Not the first time he’s done it and won’t be the last, it’s a symptom of having so much high quality talent in the yard…
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Potentially, albeit they've always minded him for the sole reason he was a young horse and didn't want to push him over longer trips when he had the speed for 2m still. It's only his first run in open company and he's 5 so plenty of time to go up in trip
 
Killiney said:
Most significant consequence seems to have been that Nicholls quickly drew stumps on the 2m route. Premature as far as I’m concerned. But there you are….
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Agreed. Defo worth another crack on last years form….we will have to wait and see I guess
 
Killiney said:
Most significant consequence seems to have been that Nicholls quickly drew stumps on the 2m route. Premature as far as I’m concerned. But there you are….
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Think he backtracked on this didn't he
 
Istabraq said:
I think this sums up the Mullins operation, he knows he has his intermediate and staying chasers so is trying to make Majborough a two miler even though he’d probably be a better horse over further, but he has a set and clear plan for the likes of Fact to File and Galopin des Champs amongst others whereas the two mile division was bear until Ill Etait Temps won the Tingle Creek.
Not the first time he’s done it and won’t be the last, it’s a symptom of having so much high quality talent in the yard…
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I wonder how much it is or will be Mullins decision on whether to keep Majborough at 2m and how much it will be that of JPs team.
 
The Giant Bolster said:
I wonder how much it is or will be Mullins decision on whether to keep Majborough at 2m and how much it will be that of JPs team.
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That’s the other complication of course although the step up to 20f puts him on a crash course with JPs on Fact to File.
Part of the problem is that we are all Cheltenham focussed and looking for targets in March whereas the Spring offers plenty of alternatives for Mullins to spread his army, even more so now there’s an annual trainers championship bid….
 
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All this talk about Majborough stepping up in trip is IMO, 2027 Festival talk

Rationale;
- look at how weak the 2m chase division is depth wise for the 2026 Champion Chase
- he only has to beat two main challengers and has the scope for improvement based upon his age verses his two main protagonists, who maybe don’t have as much upside?…….Marine Nationals will be 9 at the 2026 Festival and I’ll Est Temps 8……Majborough will only be 6
- what happens if he puts in a clean..ish round of jumping over 2m over a left handed track….OR 175-180 that would normally win a Champion Chase
- JP already has the fav for both the Ryanair and Gold Cup, so why move Majborough into either race to compete against them
- when did JP last win the Champion Chase……
- at the 2027 Festival Fact to File will be 10, Galopin Des Champs 11 (retired?) and Majborough only 7

2027 Festival…..Inothewayyourthinkin will be 9 going for maybe his third Gold Cup, Fact to File on the wane, even if he did win the 2026 Ryanair and step forward Majborough for stepping up in trip………the amount of distance to ‘step up’ dependent upon how Fact to File and Inothewayyourthinkin run at the 2026 Festival
 
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