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Cross Country Chase 2018

just done an rab for coc to do the x country/grand national double. 66/1 available on skybet
 
365 offered me 8/1 for the Ultima
 
jono said:
There's been enough mentions of the Cross Country since his win last March for me to think this is still very much plan A, plus add in Elliott's quote about going for the race you're most likely to win... But yes it did get me slightly nervous at least for a few moments. He's right up there with Buveur D'Air as being pivotal for my antepost so it would be a crushing blow and put my on the back foot that's for sure :sorrow:

He's rated 150 at the moment, that won't go down...his options would be:

Ultima
Cross Country
Gold Cup

Scrap the Gold Cup, that won't happen. The Ultima is still achievable (a race I know myself and many backed him for antepost last year) off that mark for him (UTPT won last year off 155) but it

To me it depends how they view the seasons goal...if it's either

A. Another crack at the Grand National
B. Best chance of going for a 4th win at the festival / wanting to rack up a few consecutive wins in the XC

Then the XC makes perfect sense after how last season played out (not that the Ultima is a bad prep at all for the National). The only 2 scenerios where I could see why they would go elsewhere are:

C. They want to win a 4th different festival race at the MAIN aim of the season.
D. Him missing the XC course trials are too much of a setback.

I cannot see the last option, he won round there and they can school him over there beforehand once again (can anyone remember the weekend they did this last year - might be worth remembering that and keeping an eye on twitter etc for any mention of them doing it again).

So yeah it would only be if they wanted to get that 4th different festival win. I'd have every confidence he could win the Ultima off 150 but such a performance could bottom the horse (see UTPT) and they'd have to not be favouring a National run if they went down that option imo.

Based on how the XC trial races have gone this season there's nothing to fear in those races. let's see what Ireland produces in the PP Hogan but it's the obvious race and just writing that out has put any slight fears at ease :)
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Very good write up. Get your points. Hopefully all is in order come March and the X country is the one
 
For the sake of conversation in this thread....

I completely wrote off CoC last season after his 'debut' over the Cheltenham XC course.... and he hacked up on the day.

Tiger Roll also finished a well beaten 5th on his attempt this season.... he's only 10/1 NRNB, but clearly likes the hill too... having won a 4 miler and even a triumph - he'd become a 3 time winner of 3 different races too.

Price isn't great but might end up with Davy on board for Gigginstown and could be a nice each way play?

20/1 available too but without the NRNB
 
Kevloaf said:
For the sake of conversation in this thread....

I completely wrote off CoC last season after his 'debut' over the Cheltenham XC course.... and he hacked up on the day.

Tiger Roll also finished a well beaten 5th on his attempt this season.... he's only 10/1 NRNB, but clearly likes the hill too... having won a 4 miler and even a triumph - he'd become a 3 time winner of 3 different races too.

Price isn't great but might end up with Davy on board for Gigginstown and could be a nice each way play?

20/1 available too but without the NRNB
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I'm increasingly a bit worried about all the Tiger Roll chat, and feeling like I need to have him onside. I think CoC is well matched for everything he beat last season, so TR is a known unknown that could upset the cart

EDIT: to say that also last year despite liking CoC last year I discounted him because of what you've written above and looked mighty foolish on the day
 
robith said:
EDIT: to say that also last year despite liking CoC last year I discounted him because of what you've written above and looked mighty foolish on the day
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That makes 3 of us haha.

I agree Kev, Tiger Roll could be the one to have a saver on
 
ryanh97 said:
That makes 3 of us haha.

I agree Kev, Tiger Roll could be the one to have a saver on
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My other bets are Auvergnat at 16/1 and Urgent De Gregaine at 25/1

Would only just cover my stakes in singles on CoC if either won I think... and that doesn't count multiples.:highly_amused:
 
Finally get to see the horse we all felt was the most overpriced in Ante Post lists for a defending champion today.

Nice quiet round of jumping will do. And home safe and sound.

Tiger Roll keeps getting bits of support, as already pointed out in this thread. What races could be realistic targets for this horse?
 
"This is a good starting point for Cause Of Causes, who will probably be aimed at the Cross Country at Cheltenham again. He's in good form and should run well."
 
archie said:
"This is a good starting point for Cause Of Causes, who will probably be aimed at the Cross Country at Cheltenham again. He's in good form and should run well."
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Oh S***!

Thinking out loud - Would Codd still ride if he lined up in the Ultima? I'd imagine it'd be BJG which makes me think they'd line up in this. Also, if they are serious about having another crack at the GN then the XC is an easier race on the horse as they only really race over the final mile.

*Trying to convince myself they are coming here no matter what!
 
Probably.

He'll run in the race he's got the best chance in... Ultima isn't going to be that....
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
Oh S***!

Thinking out loud - Would Codd still ride if he lined up in the Ultima? I'd imagine it'd be BJG which makes me think they'd line up in this. Also, if they are serious about having another crack at the GN then the XC is an easier race on the horse as they only really race over the final mile.

*Trying to convince myself they are coming here no matter what!
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i keep doing the same FM. I have rightly or wrongly got COC in around 70% of my multiples! So the talk of the Ultima is making me very nervous indeed! If the XC is the race and wins I would imagine a decent fest profit indeed.
 
Non runner now! Uh Oh.....
 
Is there a x-country at the Irish champions weekend?
 
ryanh97 said:
Is there a x-country at the Irish champions weekend?
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There is no X country course at Leopardstown
The X country course in Ireland is at Punchestown
They run the annual pp hogan memorial X country chase in early February
 
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