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Cheltenham Gold Cup 2020

ComplyOrDie said:
DJ has ridden Footpad 6 times, as opposed to Paul Townend just the 3 times. I think the only way DJ gets off is when Ruby was around tbh.

Also, IF the Gold Cup is the target then Townend and the Mullins lads will have plenty of other options.
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I did think as much, especially being retained rider. Think I may have also answered my own question as well re the gold cup as I was writing that post haha
 
I've backed Mala beach today, think there's an upset coming
 
Footpad jumped and travelled really well there. Havent backed him for anything but delighted to see him looking more himself for now.

KG next would be interesting
 
Couldn't knock that from Footpad, drew away at the end nicely too.

I'm not on board, in fact I've not laid a penny on the Gold Cup yet, but if you have them big ticket's you'd be happy enough surely.
 
That was great from Footpad there, what he beat is probably not much but couldn't be happier with him on his reappearance. He just needs his favoured soft ground which he didn't get last year
 
Wow Wee, Footpad is back. It was all about his jumping to day, and it was foot-perfect and a joy to watch, just like his excellent Novice Chase season. King George, Ryanair or Gold Cup must all be under consideration now.
 
Altior vs Cyrname.

When Cyrname won his last race, he won by 17 lengths and was not really asked much.

It's hard to crab the rating as the horses in behind (all 5 of them) were all rated in the 160's, and had similar lines of form against each other, here and there. It's pretty much impossible to suggest they all ran below par. It's far more reasonable to say that they ran to their ratings actually.
From memory, none had any real jumping excuses on the day either (could be wrong on this)

Altior - since his First Champion chase win, where he faced four horses rated in the 160's (including Douvan who fell) - He has been rated in the 170's ever since.

In the 6 races he has contested since that race, he has only faced 5 horses rated above 160. And only ever ran in one race where he faced 2 at the same time (politologue and Min in this years champion), a race in which Sceaux Royal earned his highest rating and Altior beat him next time up at Sandown.

The horses he has beat in the 160's are. Last 6 races in reverse order.
Sceaux Royal
Politologue & Min
Fox Norton
0
Un de Sceaux
0


Basically he's been beating a bunch of inferiors, who've been getting closer to him. And he never beat Politologue and Fox Norton as far as cyrname did that day.
He's rubbish:highly_amused:
Getting more and more convinced that Cyrname will win Saturday, but could be a fitness thing on the day.
 
Footpad best prices 15 minutes after the race are 40/1 for Gold Cup, 14/1 for Ryanair and 20/1 King George.
 
Really he’s beaten absolutely nothing there

But good to see him alive and well and I think he will be pushed towards the GC this year
 
I’ve no idea what role Ruby actually holds at Willies yard these days but found it interesting he mentioned the 4 miler or the RSA for Faugheen; it’s a big if at this stage but if that’s the distance they are thinking and say he was still unbeaten come March surely they’d have to seriously consider the Gold Cup?
 
quevega said:
Altior vs Cyrname.

When Cyrname won his last race, he won by 17 lengths and was not really asked much.

It's hard to crab the rating as the horses in behind (all 5 of them) were all rated in the 160's, and had similar lines of form against each other, here and there. It's pretty much impossible to suggest they all ran below par. It's far more reasonable to say that they ran to their ratings actually.
From memory, none had any real jumping excuses on the day either (could be wrong on this)

Altior - since his First Champion chase win, where he faced four horses rated in the 160's (including Douvan who fell) - He has been rated in the 170's ever since.

In the 6 races he has contested since that race, he has only faced 5 horses rated above 160. And only ever ran in one race where he faced 2 at the same time (politologue and Min in this years champion), a race in which Sceaux Royal earned his highest rating and Altior beat him next time up at Sandown.

The horses he has beat in the 160's are. Last 6 races in reverse order.
Sceaux Royal
Politologue & Min
Fox Norton
0
Un de Sceaux
0


Basically he's been beating a bunch of inferiors, who've been getting closer to him. And he never beat Politologue and Fox Norton as far as cyrname did that day.
He's rubbish:highly_amused:
Getting more and more convinced that Cyrname will win Saturday, but could be a fitness thing on the day.
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I will be punting Cyrname too in this. Just think he will have improved over the summer and this is his track and trip.

Altior might have to post a career best here to win. Won't get away with jumping out to the left in this.

Anyway hope to see monumental performance from one if not both horses.
 
Hurricane fly said:
Really he’s beaten absolutely nothing there

But good to see him alive and well and I think he will be pushed towards the GC this year
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It’s the visuals not the form that are impressive, his jumping was brilliant as a novice, then lost it last year, and now it’s back. He is only 7 going on 8, and if his jumping is back to his best then his next race will be really interesting, especially if it’s the King George.
 
FaugheenTheMachine said:
I’ve no idea what role Ruby actually holds at Willies yard these days but found it interesting he mentioned the 4 miler or the RSA for Faugheen; it’s a big if at this stage but if that’s the distance they are thinking and say he was still unbeaten come March surely they’d have to seriously consider the Gold Cup?
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Theyd love to win another festival race with him, whether that's in Cheltenham or punchestown, and novice company is by far his best chance.
He's realistically no chance in a GC.

I don't think anyone wants to see him pulled up or tailed off at this stage of his career.
 
Posted in the Ryanair thread but belongs here for now ;)


https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/daryl-jacob-bristol-bouncing/174315[h=3]Footpad feels great in Boomerang[/h]I made the trip over to Ireland to ride Footpad in the Boomerang Chase at Thurles on Thursday and he gave me a great feel when winning without breaking sweat.
I thought he put in a very polished display, it was great to see the old Footpad, he jumped fantastic and felt very fresh, it was mission accomplished and nice to see.

Obviously the opposition weren’t Gold Cup class, but the most important thing was to get him back onto the track, we didn’t want to throw him into Grade One company straight away.

He might well go for the King George on his next start, though, as Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and Anthony Bromley say Kempton is an option and it would be great to go for that race.




The 50/1 dream is still alive :p
 
Kevloaf said:
Posted in the Ryanair thread but belongs here for now ;)


https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/daryl-jacob-bristol-bouncing/174315[h=3]Footpad feels great in Boomerang[/h]I made the trip over to Ireland to ride Footpad in the Boomerang Chase at Thurles on Thursday and he gave me a great feel when winning without breaking sweat.
I thought he put in a very polished display, it was great to see the old Footpad, he jumped fantastic and felt very fresh, it was mission accomplished and nice to see.

Obviously the opposition weren’t Gold Cup class, but the most important thing was to get him back onto the track, we didn’t want to throw him into Grade One company straight away.

He might well go for the King George on his next start, though, as Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and Anthony Bromley say Kempton is an option and it would be great to go for that race.




The 50/1 dream is still alive :p
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He'll never stay 3m2. His attributes are jumping at pace. no doubt they'll cop out for the Ryanair when it gets to crunch time. Easy to forget he was 7/2 fav last year.
 
Scooby91 said:
He'll never stay 3m2. His attributes are jumping at pace. no doubt they'll cop out for the Ryanair when it gets to crunch time. Easy to forget he was 7/2 fav last year.
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Have to agree with this. Think he could well be a player in the KG though should they turn up.
 
If he wins a King George and runs in the Ryanair I will start a petition to cancel the Thursday.

Pointless day.

JLT - pointless
Ryanair - pointless
Stayers Hurdle - who cares
Mares Novice - pointless
3 handicaps.


Cancel it.

Try him in the QMCC or GC - if he doesn't want either, wait for Aintree.



Footpad wins all.
 
Kevloaf said:
If he wins a King George and runs in the Ryanair I will start a petition to cancel the Thursday.

Pointless day.

JLT - pointless
Ryanair - pointless
Stayers Hurdle - who cares
Mares Novice - pointless
3 handicaps.


Cancel it.

Try him in the QMCC or GC - if he doesn't want either, wait for Aintree.



Footpad wins all.
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Wow....prob first time on forum disagreed with anything you have written....but v strongly disagree here

Last year Thurs atmosphere was one of best in 20 years I’ve been going....the JLT, Ryanair and Stayers were awesome races.....and the day was a real example of what festival is about

The form of the JLT looks to be along with the Bumper as the best from the 4 days

To me, the festival is the cup final of each division all out together on one card and losing races like Stayers would be terrible

All about opinions.....and on this rare occasion I disagree
 
Kevloaf said:
If he wins a King George and runs in the Ryanair I will start a petition to cancel the Thursday.

Pointless day.

JLT - pointless
Ryanair - pointless
Stayers Hurdle - who cares
Mares Novice - pointless
3 handicaps.


Cancel it.

Try him in the QMCC or GC - if he doesn't want either, wait for Aintree.



Footpad wins all.
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There have not been many King George winners that were not then aimed at the Gold Cup out of choice. Personally I think that he has every chance of staying the trip. 100/1 KG / GC double with 365... there are worse bets to chuck a tenner at.
 
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