• HELP US - Become a Patron - Fat Jockey is a horse racing community focused on all the big races in the UK and Ireland. We don't charge users but if you have found the site useful then any support towards the running costs is appreciated ... a small donation each month would be a huge contribution. Become a Patron!

Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018

Our Duke is likely to have another racecourse school before he returns to action in the Unibet Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 4th.

Jessica Harrington's Irish Grand National winner began the season as potentially one of the main challengers to stablemate Sizing John in the top staying chases.

However, he disappointed on his return at Down Royal in November and it was later confirmed he was suffering from a back problem.

Rider Robbie Power told At The Races: "The plan is Leopardstown at the moment. I schooled him after racing at Punchestown last week and he felt fantastic.

"We'll get another racecourse school into him between now and then and hopefully, if all goes well, he'll go to Leopardstown.

"It could be a blessing. Going to Cheltenham and the spring, you don't want to have had a hard winter and maybe missing a few tough battles will stand him in good stead later in the year."
 
Very pleased with the Our Duke update...

Year a long time regarding Thistlecrack. Was my main Gold Cup bet at this point last year, this year, got nothing on and wasn't on my mind for any race....

Superb on his day, when he put in a magificent performance just after Vautour had. Two of the most memorable festival wins I've seen.
 
Kevloaf said:
Very pleased with the Our Duke update...

Year a long time regarding Thistlecrack. Was my main Gold Cup bet at this point last year, this year, got nothing on and wasn't on my mind for any race....

Superb on his day, when he put in a magificent performance just after Vautour had. Two of the most memorable festival wins I've seen.
Click to expand...

I recall Super Thursday well. I was about 400 quid down at the start on Thursday. Vautor, Thistlecrack, Limini and Cause of Causes go in and I found myself 400 quid to the good. I like to think of that day to take the edge off the kicking I took in 2017 haha
 
robith said:
I recall Super Thursday well. I was about 400 quid down at the start on Thursday. Vautor, Thistlecrack, Limini and Cause of Causes go in and I found myself 400 quid to the good. I like to think of that day to take the edge off the kicking I took in 2017 haha
Click to expand...

An odd coincidence that Limini and Thistlecrack both out on the same day, as 2 of those 3.

I watched Limini in a bookies in Liverpool as the pub that I was watching the festival on, in Liverpool, that had advertised itself as 'showing the festival' didn't have RUK.

:highly_amused:
 
Can't Catch Me said:
Our Duke is likely to have another racecourse school before he returns to action in the Unibet Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 4th.

Jessica Harrington's Irish Grand National winner began the season as potentially one of the main challengers to stablemate Sizing John in the top staying chases.

However, he disappointed on his return at Down Royal in November and it was later confirmed he was suffering from a back problem.

Rider Robbie Power told At The Races: "The plan is Leopardstown at the moment. I schooled him after racing at Punchestown last week and he felt fantastic.

"We'll get another racecourse school into him between now and then and hopefully, if all goes well, he'll go to Leopardstown.

"It could be a blessing. Going to Cheltenham and the spring, you don't want to have had a hard winter and maybe missing a few tough battles will stand him in good stead later in the year."
Click to expand...

... and here is some video footage to further warm the spirits of the Our Duke backers:

https://twitter.com/GBRacing/status/948124729776406528

He's the third leg of my 'Kevloaf trixie' with BVD at 4s and CoC at 9s. One of my first multiples I placed and one at slightly bigger stakes as I have been doing most multiples around 0.1 of a point. Would be great to get a run for my money but OD will obviously need to put in a decent performance at Leopardstown to be a contender.
 
Rhinestone_Cowboy said:
... and here is some video footage to further warm the spirits of the Our Duke backers:

https://twitter.com/GBRacing/status/948124729776406528

He's the third leg of my 'Kevloaf trixie' with BVD at 4s and CoC at 9s. One of my first multiples I placed and one at slightly bigger stakes as I have been doing most multiples around 0.1 of a point. Would be great to get a run for my money but OD will obviously need to put in a decent performance at Leopardstown to be a contender.
Click to expand...

Hahaha, fantastic. The bit where he knocks in to the wall isn't ideal though? hahaha :D

Agree with what you say... I don't think he needs to WIN on his comeback but certainly needs to jump around! Ideally I'd like to see him 'staying on' although with fitness being an issue, I'd happily just take him getting round and then just have the fingers crossed.

If the first two do come in I'll be happy enough as they are quite nice prices all things considered (8/13 and 5/2 NRNB now) ...

I apologise in advance for it not winning :p
 
Kevloaf said:
An odd coincidence that Limini and Thistlecrack both out on the same day, as 2 of those 3.

I watched Limini in a bookies in Liverpool as the pub that I was watching the festival on, in Liverpool, that had advertised itself as 'showing the festival' didn't have RUK.

:highly_amused:
Click to expand...

I had to leave for a client meeting as we watched Vautor hose up. I knew I was going to miss out on the world hurdle, but trusted my boy thistlecrack. I told the junior team member I was going with we needed to wrap it up quick sharp, but the client kept talking reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally slowly, and I kept glaring at my colleague who was trying his best not to crease up.

We got it done, legged it across the road to a pub to see Limini jump the last fence. CHecked my balances. Nice day
 
Kevloaf said:
Hahaha, fantastic. The bit where he knocks in to the wall isn't ideal though? hahaha :D

Agree with what you say... I don't think he needs to WIN on his comeback but certainly needs to jump around! Ideally I'd like to see him 'staying on' although with fitness being an issue, I'd happily just take him getting round and then just have the fingers crossed.

If the first two do come in I'll be happy enough as they are quite nice prices all things considered (8/13 and 5/2 NRNB now) ...

I apologise in advance for it not winning :p
Click to expand...

haha... all part of the preparation a bit of head banging. Will be more than happy with one winner from the 3 as all covered with decent singles at the prices. Already have plenty of value so pleased with the bets whatever happens, just hope they all make it. Been a lot of 'out of the Festival' grenades going off today, fingers crossed can keep dodging them.
 
Shame to hear that Thistlecrack is out , He's done it tough the last year , hope he makes it back for a last hurrah somewhere.
 
It’s just fallen apart for Thistlecrack since the King George. A real shame for the Tizzards.
 
Al Ferof said:
It’s just fallen apart for Thistlecrack since the King George. A real shame for the Tizzards.
Click to expand...

Native River could make them forget all about him pretty quickly...Denman chase next month then Gold Cup 2nd start....
 
Kevloaf said:
Native River could make them forget all about him pretty quickly...Denman chase next month then Gold Cup 2nd start....
Click to expand...

I still think he has a great chance
 
Ben Linfoot of SL has put up Our Duke as a bet in the GC now that it is NRNB :) "a thorough stayer with a real touch of class about him"
 
Can't Catch Me said:
Yorkhill not entered?
Click to expand...

I think Willie said he'd only get entries in the 3 races (Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and Ryanair).

A little out of character though
 
Last edited:
Interesting that they were so so adamant about Yorkhill and 3m, but have given up after one lacklustre try
 
Kevloaf said:
I think Willie said he'd only get entries in the 3 races (Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and Ryanair).

A little out of character though
Click to expand...

Cheers Kev. Must have completely missed that. As robith says, surprised they've given up on that so early.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom