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Cheltenham Gold Cup 2020

I haven't a clue to be honest. It probably just reflects that he's had two runs at a stage that's early in the season for a second season chaser with lofty aspirations. Also, this is a relatively untested chief handicapper who will have his own view on things.

For comparison, Denman's first open run was also off 161 but was in early December and resulted in him going up to 176.
 
Matt Chapmans got a column out today with Willie and he confirms Footpad will be targeted at the King George not Douvan
 
Matt Chapmans got a column out today with Willie and he confirms Footpad will be targeted at the King George not Douvan

I'd be confident that's correct. It seemed confirmed as soon as they moved bristol de mai away from the KG. Personally think hes no chance of winning it though.
 
Having been a backer of Elegant Escape last year at 40/1 and 25/1 each way... the 50/1 available now is tempting me again.


I don't really expect him to be winning (what looks like an above average) renewal however his run style lends itself so well to picking up the pieces and 50/1 is a big old price considering the performance he's just put in under top weight?

A better ride and he'd have gone even closer.
 
Having been a backer of Elegant Escape last year at 40/1 and 25/1 each way... the 50/1 available now is tempting me again.


I don't really expect him to be winning (what looks like an above average) renewal however his run style lends itself so well to picking up the pieces and 50/1 is a big old price considering the performance he's just put in under top weight?

A better ride and he'd have gone even closer.

He always runs on like that though.
He's a high class buywise.
But so is Anibale fly.
So I can see it too, but will wait till nearer the day I reckon.
Can't see anyone gambling it down, unless ET's putting todays winning on.
 
Having been a backer of Elegant Escape last year at 40/1 and 25/1 each way... the 50/1 available now is tempting me again.


I don't really expect him to be winning (what looks like an above average) renewal however his run style lends itself so well to picking up the pieces and 50/1 is a big old price considering the performance he's just put in under top weight?

A better ride and he'd have gone even closer.

I actually agree, and 50's is really tempting me in for a place, don't expect him to win, but stays really well.
 
See what Tizzard says and where he goes next.

I doubt that the National will be ruled out especially if Tiger Roll looks likely to go. In many ways he's the identikit National horse.
 
See what Tizzard says and where he goes next.

I doubt that the National will be ruled out especially if Tiger Roll looks likely to go. In many ways he's the identikit National horse.

With it being Tizzard, and because the weights would already be out, I am confident he'd still run in the Gold Cup even if he was going to go for the Aintree race.
 
With it being Tizzard, and because the weights would already be out, I am confident he'd still run in the Gold Cup even if he was going to go for the Aintree race.

Absolutely possible and even likely. Several horses have placed at decent prices here and gone on to run well at Aintree. Without checking, I'd have thought that this was more likely when there's 4 weeks between the races rather than 3 as it was this year and will be next. The losing horses in the Bowl were all seen as under performing because of that. However, at big prices it looks a value bet as it stands.
 
He wont go to the National this year. His handicap mark will have to be around 165 as of Tuesday.
He would have gone Becher chase rather than the Ladbrokes if they were going to take that route.
He has shown enough in his 2 runs this season to confirm he is a genuine gold cup contender. The national will still be there next season and 9 is a nice age for that race.
I dont see any point in him going to the King George though he is entered, The Welsh national shouldnt be an option and would destroy his season though again he is entered. For me the best plan is the Lexus next though its a 10k supplement so we will see if they want to pay. I think he would enjoy Leopardstown and would have a big chance. I will be delighted if I learn they have supplemented him for the Lexus but im not sure how likely that is.
 
I'd probably prefer he skipped any Christmas target and came back for the Cotswold Chase and then Gold Cup.

Never ever going to give himself an easy race.


Tizzard is pretty sporting though so I can't imagine they avoid Christmas at all.
 
I agree that giving him a bit of a rest now would be good but I wont be surprised if they throw him at the King George.
Ideally he needs a grade 1 on the board pre festival and the Lexus looks the best opportunity.

Im still scratching my head as to why Harry Cobden chose to line up at the back behind 25 horses, give De Rasher Counter and pals a 20 lengths or so head start and steering him widest of all the entire way round. He probably ran a furlong further than the field.
I think Harry Cobden is one of the best jockeys around but that ride was simply abysmal. I have no other way to describe it.
 
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He always runs on like that though.
He's a high class buywise.
But so is Anibale fly.
So I can see it too, but will wait till nearer the day I reckon.
Can't see anyone gambling it down, unless ET's putting todays winning on.

Yeh ran on well as expected. Il probably use my free slybet next week on 50/1 then forget about it till early March
 
I keep forgetting to post this...

Quevega the other day said about not being bothered about Cyrname going left handed because he's just a completely different horse now and it's relaly stuck with me.




Cyrname has beaten what I considered THE best horse in training, fairly easily.
He's fav for the King George and although not the perfect trial as we all know, they also don't have a bad record and you would HAVE to imagine a King George winner takes in a Gold CUp (after he wins that Ascot race in Feb)...



I am really starting to get tempted with the KG/GC double for Cyrname (obviously noooo chance he runs in a Gold Cup if beaten in the King George) but I can't really see why I wouldn't fancy him for that hugely now.... having beaten the horse that I really fancied.



He reminds me of Might Bite in a way, in that people were skeptical about how because he'd bascially been rubbish and a bit mad until iot just clicked for him..... on all the evidence we have now, Cyrname is THE best horse in training isn't he?




So, what are the best King George/Gold Cup double prices anyone?
 
8-1 B365 :highly_amused::highly_amused:
so you can put that to bed for now.
 
It was anyway.
oddschecker says 40-1
I'll look on site
 
8-1 :highly_amused:
 
I still think this will be a strong renewal so any horse with question marks against them I’ll be dismissing and, I know I’ve said it before, the Gold Cup is a brutal staying race, dubious stayers can’t win.

LostinTranslation is solid, Santini I think will improve on his reappearance effort and there are plenty of genuine contenders from across the Irish Sea we haven’t seen yet including the 1-2 from last season and Kemboy and I’d prefer to focus on these than create angles on others who don’t have the ideal profile...