2026 Champion Chase

[Lobos]

He’s

definitely improved but it’s hard to forget the supreme and Arkle runs. We all know how important course form and especially fez form is

Yep, one of those isn't it.......are you prepared to give him another chance. I am.

 

[Lobos]

I'm inclined to agree with Kevin Blake re Maj in that Walsh just needs to trust the horse and go for it with him from the front. By holding him up , when he inevitably makes the odd error, he just gets further back. Perhaps he's disappointing the horse? Let him fly Mark and use that engine that is definitely there.

 

[Craigy14]

Yep, one of those isn't it.......are you prepared to give him another chance. I am.

He’s not really a price worth giving another chance though is he? Never has been since he demolished the field end of the season at Sandown.

He’s 11/4 best and last years winner is 9/4.

 

[riccirich]

I'm inclined to agree with Kevin Blake re Maj in that Walsh just needs to trust the horse and go for it with him from the front. By holding him up , when he inevitably makes the odd error, he just gets further back. Perhaps he's disappointing the horse? Let him fly Mark and use that engine that is definitely there.

He's been doing the same thing since the arkle, and it wouldn't be over the top to say if you switched out the jockey for someone more aggressive that matches Majboroughs style of racing, then he could have won all of his last four races.

All the way back to the arkle, his jumping was very iffy from early in the race, and I was thinking early on that I wouldn't be surprised if he came down. If he would have sent him on earlier to open a gap, then he would have had time to recover without being passed if he kept making mistakes. Instead he kept holding on to him because he didn't trust him to jump at a faster pace, and when he did make the really bad error, he was immediately passed with no time to recover. He somehow managed to almost get back up despite that error, showing he had plenty of running left and no reason why he couldn't have been sent on earlier.

 

[Lobos]

He’s not really a price worth giving another chance though is he? Never has been since he demolished the field end of the season at Sandown.

He’s 11/4 best and last years winner is 9/4.

Put it this way, if Marine met IET at Sandown I know who's side I'd be on. I'd make IET odds on. Cheltenham is different though so agree you'd be taking a bit of a chance. 11/4 could look incredible IF he wins

 

[Ellisgittings]

I'm inclined to agree with Kevin Blake re Maj in that Walsh just needs to trust the horse and go for it with him from the front. By holding him up , when he inevitably makes the odd error, he just gets further back. Perhaps he's disappointing the horse? Let him fly Mark and use that engine that is definitely there.

Don't think he's gonna do that though to be honest. I'd be very shocked

 

[Lobos]

Don't think he's gonna do that though to be honest. I'd be very shocked

Why ? Surely worth a try at DRF and then ditch it if it doesn't suit ?

 

[Ellisgittings]

Why ? Surely worth a try at DRF and then ditch it if it doesn't suit ?

Just can't see it being something they're willing to do with him. I reckon he'll carry on like he is until Chelt, and they'll give up and up him in trip

 

[Craigy14]

Put it this way, if Marine met IET at Sandown I know who's side I'd be on. I'd make IET odds on. Cheltenham is different though so agree you'd be taking a bit of a chance. 11/4 could look incredible IF he wins

11/4 if he wins at ascot this weekend or Cheltenham? He’s not likely to go lower than say 15/8 for champion chase with marine in there and I’d expect marine to win at the DRF given how well he ran at Xmas.

11/4 antepost is not incredible is it now? For a horse that has not run great at the track in 3 attempts to date.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Not looking that great this race.
Fav is an admirable horse, but not a great imo.
2nd fav don’t like the course it seems and the next struggles with his jumping.
Could do with Thistle running a big race this week, that might liven it up!!
Maybe a miracle at 7 barrows will occur and Sir Gino comes here.
Now that would definitely liven things up!!!
Well one can dream

 

[AaronLad]

Gidleigh park looks set to take his chance in the Clarence house at Ascot on Saturday.
Looking at the forecast it's a fairly mild week for this time of year, however it looks like sufficient rain is forecast to keep the ground on the softer side of good. Let's hope so.

I've always thought he would be seen to best effect using his superior jumping to put his rivals under pressure at around 2 miles.
The lengths he gains at fences for me makes up for his shortfall in speed.

It's easy to forget he's unbeaten in 3 runs at around 2 miles, one bumper, one hurdle and one chase. Ok none of them have been at the top level but he also hasn't been tried yet.

Depending on what happens Saturday he may get his shot at the champion chase. Where I actually think the tighter nature and jumping test of the old course will suit, he wasn't overly inconvenienced by the turns of Windsor and I think he could have them all in trouble turning for home.

We all have dreams.....

 

[Lobos]

11/4 if he wins at ascot this weekend or Cheltenham? He’s not likely to go lower than say 15/8 for champion chase with marine in there and I’d expect marine to win at the DRF given how well he ran at Xmas.

11/4 antepost is not incredible is it now? For a horse that has not run great at the track in 3 attempts to date.

11/4 would look incredible price , in hindsight, if he wins the CC.

 

[BigL]

IL etait temps looks a good thing on paper for the Clarence house. Probably goes off around 1/2

 

[Benjy23]

11/4 would look incredible price , in hindsight, if he wins the CC.

What does this even mean?

In hindsight all the winners will look incredible prices, if you want them to.

 

[Craigy14]

11/4 would look incredible price , in hindsight, if he wins the CC.

We differ on what’s an incredible price then that’s for sure

Incredible price would be double digits imo.

 

[Benjy23]

An 'incredible' price is just one that's wrong isn't it, no matter how big or small. Not one you need hindsight for.

Like Fact to File when he was 4/1 for the Ryanair a couple of weeks ago. It was just obviously too big.

11/4 for EIT seems a touch on the short side, and definitely not incredible. All being well he'll go off a similar sort of price on the day. If the race was today and all those turned up with current form I certainly wouldn't have him any shorter. And I wouldn't be changing my mind with hindsight.

 

[Lobos]

What does this even mean?

In hindsight all the winners will look incredible prices, if you want them to.

Put it this way, if his record at Cheltenham was better he'd be Evens to win. That's better.

 

[Lobos]

An 'incredible' price is just one that's wrong isn't it, no matter how big or small. Not one you need hindsight for.

Like Fact to File when he was 4/1 for the Ryanair a couple of weeks ago. It was just obviously too big.

11/4 for EIT seems a touch on the short side, and definitely not incredible. All being well he'll go off a similar sort of price on the day. If the race was today and all those turned up with current form I certainly wouldn't have him any shorter. And I wouldn't be changing my mind with hindsight.

I do think F2F price is short taking into account his last 3 runs. Blew out at Punchestown (can't completely blame 2m imo as he was just awful). Beaten fair and square by Gaelic over his optimum distance when looking like he should have gone past him and ran really flat in the King George when well fancied.

 

[Craigy14]

Put it this way, if his record at Cheltenham was better he'd be Evens to win. That's better.

You could say scenarios about any horse in racing though?!

If my auntie had a cock she’d be my uncle and all that.

 

[Brooksie]

Not too worried about his Cheltenham form, legitimate excuses for each of his runs. Solness will set things up nicely for him and he'll be outstaying everything up the hill, he's got that Dom Alco in him, quicker they go the better.