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Do you need to still be a racehorse owner to check live decs on the BHA site?
 
The Paddy Power Gold cup looks a damn fine race.

The top rated ones all winners or placed at the festival, and could be contenders again in March for sure, then we have some real lively types on good marks lower down.
I backed Harpers Brook a few weeks back as I like a horse like him for this race, even though he may dog it right at the end, like Midnight Shadow nearly did :adoration:
They should go mental up front and I think it may suit something well handicapped that travels in behind.
However, it looks hit hot competitive and I could back around 10 of them for one reason or another.

Might back Torn and Frayed also.
I'll be looking at win today markets for the top 2 also.
Debating with myself (which is fun) whether to cash Stage Star for Ryanair as this looks hard for him to win IMO and he may drift for Ryanair unless he shows up well. But, if he wins he really ought to go half his current price IMO, so a tricky one, cos I'm not certain of anything :adjoint::highly_amused:
 
Quevega said:
The Paddy Power Gold cup looks a damn fine race.
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It really is looking like a cracker, isn't it, and an absolute minefield for backers.

I've got 3 in mind for this currently, may well back all 3 as well.

The Real Whacker has to be considered but 12st as an awful lot to carry in such a race and on seasonal debut that I think I'll have to pass on him.

As you note, Stage Star has to be going close to enhance his Ryanair claims, but the 3 I've come down on are the two Laura Morgan hopes, Notlongtillmay and Whistleinthedark and old favourite Angels Breath, as he's had a pipe opener over hurdles and anything like his best form off of 144 should have him well in here.
 
I like Notlongtilmay as Well along with Unexpected Party but the one I keep coming back to is Fugitif. He deserves a big one.

The 50/1 WT and Ryanair SS was a no brainer bet imo as if he wins you've got a lovely voucher and if he goes close they'll push him out and I'll back him again.

If Gerri is the next coming then TRW should be going very close even off top weight.

As you say, a fabulous race but probably not one to get too involved with.............but I will......as you do.
 
Opening show for phrases used by Lydia in tonight’s Road to Cheltenham

3-1 in what turned out to be a Gordon Elliott benefit
7-2 as above but masterclass
10-1 as above but bonanza
33-1 as above but feast /banquet
33-1 in what was a disappointing two days for Gordon Elliott (said sarcastically)
100-1 Gordon Elliott must have trod in some serious shit
1000-1 he shot, he scored, it must be Peter Ward (Tony Bloom Request a Bet)
 
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Pendulum swing back in the direction of conflated going for the XC? The best schooler he’s ever seen..
 
HesTheOne said:
Pendulum swing back in the direction of conflated going for the XC? The best schooler he’s ever seen..
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Need him to run poorly in Savilles Chase for him to go XCC. Quite likely though.
 
See no reason why he should not run another big race in the Savills.
Then I think they should have another go at the Ryanair, GC just beyond him on last season evidence
 
It's laughable that multiple G1 winning horses can even run it, let alone off level weights

There is absolutely no prospect whatsoever that horses of that calibre would be running in that race if it was still a handicap in March.

​​​When the X-Country is more desirable than other graded races, in the calender ust because of the Cheltenham factor, the game is in big trouble.

Your G1 horse isn't quite up to that standard anymore? There's no shame in that, but can I introduce you to G2 races?

Its entirely conceivable that Gordon rocks up in 2025 with Gerri, Galvin, Conflated and Delta Work in the bloody X-Country.
 
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Yea it’s a shitty option but I don’t hate the idea of it either. The likes of Conflated and Minella Indo turning out in this adds something to it rather then just DW thumping spuds 40L. They aren’t improving horses and they aren’t winning gold cups either of them. It’s not a bad path for the tail end of their careers.

Two cents. It’s like deciding to go for bingo with the elders on a sat night instead of heading down to scrap the young fellas in the local.
 
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I actually quite like it tbh. It’s like a veterans chase for gold cup horses that aren’t good enough to win a gold cup anymore. I’d be less interested if it was a hcap. It’s a good grand national trial too, let the old boys have their race.
 
HesTheOne said:
Yea it’s a shitty option but I don’t hate the idea of it either. The likes of Conflated and Minella Indo turning out in this adds something to it rather then just DW thumping spuds 40L. They aren’t improving horses and they aren’t winning gold cups either of them. It’s not a bad path for the tail end of their careers.

Two cents. It’s like deciding to go for bingo with the elders on a sat night instead of heading down to scrap the young fellas in the local.
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Nobody cares who wins the bingo though, it's just a social event and an excuse to get out of the house. At least if you go down to the local and get battered people will have some respect for you, like he's out of his depth but at least he's giving it a go. And if you die you go down swinging with a smile on your face, a good death.
 
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Anyone on here with a paid The Irish Field subscription? If yes, can you drop me a private message please. Thanks, RTC
 
Kautostar said:
I actually quite like it tbh. It’s like a veterans chase for gold cup horses that aren’t good enough to win a gold cup anymore. I’d be less interested if it was a hcap. It’s a good grand national trial too, let the old boys have their race.
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I guess it depends on what one defines as not good enough. 3rd in the race last year, won a grade 1 less than 12 months ago and just beaten 1 length in another despite it being the wrong way round. If Conflated is ducking it, then we may as well just have Galopin running round on his own. Grade 1 horses should run in grade 1 races imo. The XC has been ruined since being converted from a handicap. I didn't find today's race overly enthralling, but at least there could be a reasonable discussion on who wins it. In March, Elliott will and it'll be his horses 30 lengths clear of the rest
 
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Kautostar said:
I actually quite like it tbh. It’s like a veterans chase for gold cup horses that aren’t good enough to win a gold cup anymore. I’d be less interested if it was a hcap. It’s a good grand national trial too, let the old boys have their race.
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I'm with you on this, there's so much hate for the cross country chase...I really don't get it. The whole game began racing church to church jumping banks, ditches, brooks, streams and god knows what else. Zero problem with ex gold cup horses like delta work, galvin and minella indo taking these types of races in, especially if they're enjoying the change of pace. Realistically the alternative is getting detached in a gold cup and being pulled up down the back, or worse coming down and bringing something down that had a genuine chance. Completely agree, let them have their race.
 
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