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Cheltenham Gold Cup 2020

Even if you look back to last season it was clear that Lostintranslation needed more, he beat Defi De Seuil over 21f at Cheltenham on New Years Day then lost 2 on the bounce over the JLT distance, that 1 furlong showing the difference. I do wonder if he would have inserted himself into RSA reckoning last year had he ran in that instead.

I backed him at 25s between Cheltenham and Aintree (in a mullti) and had a few swipes at 16s throughout the summer but I'd say price is probably gone now
 
The King Pimm said:
:highly_amused:
Oh yeah I forgot about the Ultima. If I had my way I’d introduce a grade 2 three mile race and get rid of the Champion Bumper but yeah I’ll get my coat......taxi!!!
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We should also have grade 2 races for all the other grade 1 races and hold the festival over 10 days. Scrap Aintree and the Dublin racing festival as well - they just get in the way
 
Ah not the Champagne Fever Arkle race, that race Still gives me sleepless nights!:grumpy:
 
The King Pimm said:
It was a panic bet by me betting on vindication as I wanted to catch the 25’s before he got cut by Hills in the any race market. I can’t see him winning a gold cup and that’s the only race he will qualify for. I think the Festival would benefit from another grade 1 3mile race along side the gold cup for horses that caught in between
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Just my opinion but that is a terrible idea
 
Got to say I was pleased with Lostintranslation's opener yesterday, got on him straight after the festival at 33/1 for the Gold Cup, been a big fan of him going the longer trip and over fences since he came out over hurdles and I do think the longer trip will suit him, will be very interesting to see him against tougher competition in Open Grade.

Added Vinndication in running on Saturday for this at 66/1, I liked the way he jumped and asserted himself well. I do have some reservations over the Left Handed issue people have mentioned already, and whether he quite has the class, but I'm quite happy to have the slip at that price with the option to cash out if needs be!
 
I have a link through a friend with one of the owners of Vinndication who said today the Gold Cup was the target. I wouldn’t take this too literally as he mentioned the JLT around this time last year (as I’m sure some will remember) and while he ended up vindicated (excuse the pun) the trainer flip flopping meant it felt more like luck than judgement. Anyway thought I’d mention it as if you’ve backed him it is some sort of positive.

Actually got a message to back him on Friday for the race on Saturday but as the price has been already cut from 8s to 6s I decided against ....that’s the way it goes
 
Have had some pennies on Defi Du Seuil at 130.0 on the exchanges.

15x the price of LIT despite the head to head being 2-1.

I don’t expect him to go here but he wasn’t stopping at the line in the JLT and not sure who else JP would have for it, so at those odds I’d be happy if he turned up and very minimal risk
 
FaugheenTheMachine said:
Altior entered for the Betfair Chase........
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Now that is throwing entry money away. I'm a firm believer he should stay at 2 miles and im certain he'll end up in the Champion Chase again after failing over further. I would really fear for him if he were to run at Haydock.
 
Exactly as you said. You’d surely making him 999/1 to be starting his season here
 
Lobos said:
Now that is throwing entry money away. I'm a firm believer he should stay at 2 miles and im certain he'll end up in the Champion Chase again after failing over further. I would really fear for him if he were to run at Haydock.
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Agree, and a deep ground betfair 4 weeks before a King George would be a poor prep for a horse with unproven stamina.
I suspect they’re entering Altior in several races to keep options open with one eye on weather/abandoned meetings...
 
Istabraq said:
Agree, and a deep ground betfair 4 weeks before a King George would be a poor prep for a horse with unproven stamina.
I suspect they’re entering Altior in several races to keep options open with one eye on weather/abandoned meetings...
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Or they could be greedy and going for a million. Deep down I'm certain that Henderson doesn't see Altior as a GC horse. I suppose by running him in Betfair Chase and him blatantly not staying, they could then forget KG hopes and fully concentrate on winning a 3rd Champion Chase. Would be a massive risk though.
 
Lobos said:
Or they could be greedy and going for a million. Deep down I'm certain that Henderson doesn't see Altior as a GC horse. I suppose by running him in Betfair Chase and him blatantly not staying, they could then forget KG hopes and fully concentrate on winning a 3rd Champion Chase. Would be a massive risk though.
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I would very much doubt they'd be being "greedy" with a horse like Altior who owes them nothing. I'd imagine it's just in case the weather calls everyone's bluff and they get good ground. Probably is unlikely they'll run him with the KG not far away but it's only an entry.

We regularly read/hear people giving off that connections don't try their horses over distances, and keep them to simple races etc that they've won before against the same opposition. Now we see them trying something different with a champion and it's questioned!

I do agree though that i think Nicky is probably realistic and thinks it's unlikely Altior will be a GC horse. He's certainly not slow like he looks at times. Nicky also has a fair few other more obvious GC horses.

Interesting story for the season though.
 
I think Altior will be a horse on the decline this season. Henderson saying now this horse needs more of a test this season. He has obviously lost some speed and would be vulnerable in the champion chase if its true what Hendo says (we never assume these people talk the truth). He has won 20 races and is the record holder for most races won.
Its a matter of time before it catches up with him and the reality is he will no longer be the same horse this season no matter where he goes.
I dont think he will win another grade 1 chase over any trip.
 
Also on Haydock, really not sure heavy ground there is what Lostintranslation would want- hopefully they don't go if it is that.
 
He will get beat by Cyrname if he goes to Ascot, he will be beaten by Elegant Escape if he goes to Haydock and he will be beaten by any number of horses in the king george. I wouldnt be surprised if he is retired before the year ends. Nobody likes to see a great in decline.
 
Hurricane fly said:
Have had some pennies on Defi Du Seuil at 130.0 on the exchanges.

15x the price of LIT despite the head to head being 2-1.

I don’t expect him to go here but he wasn’t stopping at the line in the JLT and not sure who else JP would have for it, so at those odds I’d be happy if he turned up and very minimal risk
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Even though it sounds like 2m or 2m5f this is the sort of price you'd want to find out, nice one.
 
jack1092 said:
Also on Haydock, really not sure heavy ground there is what Lostintranslation would want- hopefully they don't go if it is that.
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Not sure any horse intending to run in the Gold Cup wants heavy ground, I know trends/stats aren’t for everyone but the fact no horse (for many years) has won a blue ribband having previously contested a race on heavy ground in the same season emphasises the point that a slog in deep ground leaves a lasting effect...
 
ELEGANTLY TASTED said:
I think Altior will be a horse on the decline this season. Henderson saying now this horse needs more of a test this season. He has obviously lost some speed and would be vulnerable in the champion chase if its true what Hendo says (we never assume these people talk the truth). He has won 20 races and is the record holder for most races won.
Its a matter of time before it catches up with him and the reality is he will no longer be the same horse this season no matter where he goes.
I dont think he will win another grade 1 chase over any trip.
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I attended an open day at the yard a couple of weeks ago and Henderson kindly brought out Altior to us. He said after his precautionary breathing op the speed Altior showed on his Saturday gallop was frightening. He said he has so much speed still he is way ahead of everything in the yard and even Buveur D could never live with him. He didn't actually say it himself but a few of us got the impression its the owners calling the shots about stepping up in trip and hes still happy to stay at 2 miles, he did say though a lot of people have called him boring for staying in the same division. So I guess there is a kind of pressure put on him to step up. Beaut of a horse though!
 
B
fitzy78 said:
I attended an open day at the yard a couple of weeks ago and Henderson kindly brought out Altior to us. He said after his precautionary breathing op the speed Altior showed on his Saturday gallop was frightening. He said he has so much speed still he is way ahead of everything in the yard and even Buveur D could never live with him. He didn't actually say it himself but a few of us got the impression its the owners calling the shots about stepping up in trip and hes still happy to stay at 2 miles, he did say though a lot of people have called him boring for staying in the same division. So I guess there is a kind of pressure put on him to step up. Beaut of a horse though!
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Great post thank you
I just don’t understand people knocking great horses?
Time catches up with all but this is some horse
Don’t know much about Patricia Pugh but the success this horse has enjoyed I’d have thought you’d leave it up to Hendo
Patricia is an “ art curator”
No wonder I know nought of her 😂😊
 
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