Not been many/any the last 10 years but was fairly commonplace prior to that.100%.
It’s be interesting to know how many (modern day ish) Gold Cup winners took in handicaps en route to the blue ribband ?
I know racing was different 30+ years ago when many of todays top graded races were handicaps…
Yeah I think it’s a different world now and there is such an Irish domination I can’t consider anything coming through UK handicaps.Not been many/any the last 10 years but was fairly commonplace prior to that.
The last one I think was Lord Windermere, the year after the novice Coneygree won beating Djakadam into second who started in handicaps off low marks.
Before that it was common, Bobs Worth, Long Run et al, all mostly ran in the Hennesey I think.
Synchronised ran in hurdle handicaps in his year and beat the giant bolster who had ran in handicaps including the hennesey I think.
I wouldn't dismiss anything that starts the season handicapping especially from the UK as they are nearly all lowly rated compared to the top Irish these days. There is a dearth of class over here full stop. The handicaps are arguably harder to win/more competitive.
I would probably not bet them myself though, at this stage.
Not for the Gold cup in any case.
No fucking point IMO
Be 12 years old by then and fragile as can be. Pulled up this year in the same race, seems like one to just forget about now surely.Interesting to see that Jungle Boogie has joined Venetia Williams this season. Could be a player here if she can get him going - must have had issues being so lightly raced.
Yeah hadn't clocked how old he was - sure Venetia can get a good race out of him but probably not one for the Festival.Be 12 years old by then and fragile as can be. Pulled up this year in the same race, seems like one to just forget about now surely.
I think people will look at the price and think it nay be worth a poke but for me there is no value there whatsoever, I’ve have to think twice if it was double the price….The Jukebox Man 80/1 to win KG and Ryanair in Ladbrokes special market
Soz....Eggs got there first
Agree. Not for me but I know people like him. Would need to see his comeback run from long-term injury before backing.I think people will look at the price and think it nay be worth a poke but for me there is no value there whatsoever, I’ve have to think twice if it was double the price….
He was a rather fortunate winner though, so maybe that stat can be ignored?Don't Arkle winners have a horrific record in the Ryanair?!
So that'll be Croke showing glimmers of ability during the winter, with the spring ground seeing him start winning again,just a question of which handicap will they target.….Elliott re Croke Pk;
‘We were very happy with his comeback run at Punchestown last week. He’ll go to Down Royal now for either the second-season chase or the Champion Chase. We need to work out whether he is one for big handicap chases or open Graded company, so his run at Down Royal will hopefully give us a good steer on that.’
Sadly........no. if only it were that simple eh ??That is certainly how the bookmakers seem to be translating the update. Does this make F2F a sure thing to run in the Ryanair and Gaelic Warrior to go Gold Cup. I sure do hope so.