Gold Cup 2014

Gringo180

Would advise people to get onto Al Ferof for the Gold Cup. Honestly cant see him outside the top 3, he ran an absolute blinder yesterday considering he didn't jump all that great, he hit a few hard early on which would of took the wind out of his sails, but stayed on the last furlong very well he will absolutely relish the extra few furlongs and the hill. He will be a different animal around Cheltenham with decent ground. Currently 14/1.

Panrich

Gringo180 wrote: »

Would advise people to get onto Al Ferof for the Gold Cup. Honestly cant see him outside the top 3, he ran an absolute blinder yesterday considering he didn't jump all that great, he hit a few hard early on which would of took the wind out of his sails, but stayed on the last furlong very well he will absolutely relish the extra few furlongs and the hill. He will be a different animal around Cheltenham with decent ground. Currently 14/1.

Nicholls was leaning towards the Ryanair on RUK after the race though. He doubted whether he would stay the trip at Cheltenham. He said that he might try 3m again at Newbury just to make up his mind fully.

BumperD

Unioniste's performance in the Lexus might sway the decision.

Gringo180

No way missed that interview yesterday, cant believe Nicholls saying he's not sure he stays he will be even better over the extra few furlongs I reckon.

Nulty

I had the same inclination gringo, wanted to hear what the trainer said first though. Glad I held back now. I have an annoying habit of backing horses for races they're not aimed at (First Lieutenant GC last year for example)

mailburner

cant have al ferof myself
didn't look like he wanted further yesterday and
it looked more one paced to me they way he finished (backed him)
I seriously don't think he can win a gold cup and
think even a place is beyond him
Don't see a way he can finish in front of conti or bob if
they turn up or sdc

jimjamcos

Clonsuttonlad wrote: »

I know it's just the lack of competition in the 2mile division is a bit boring! He was just so much better. I think it would of been exciting if they stepped him up to three miles.

I do hope he returns, but maybe next year it's just no fun , watching a forgone conclusion! I'd say CC would give him a better race with a different trainer.

Ridiculous statement. He's barely ran a bad race bar last years King George maybe, when everything went against him.

mohican22

jimjamcos wrote: »

Ridiculous statement. He's barely ran a bad race bar last years King George maybe, when everything went against him.

Agree wholeheartedly with above statement about Cue Card look at what he has won for gods sake and the wellbeing of Sprinter Sacre and watching him racing he is a joy to behold in full flight

LutherBlissett

Didn't look like Al Ferof and Cue Card got 3m around Kempton, things would have to change massively for them to get it round Cheltenham. Shame about Sprinter Sacre - he was an absolute machine. Denman never came back to his best after treatment for an irregular heart beat (loss of condition etc.), not sure if SS will/ can either.

Colonel Sanders

Guessing we've a new Gold Cup favourite now?

SRFC

LutherBlissett wrote: »

Didn't look like Al Ferof and Cue Card got 3m around Kempton, things would have to change massively for them to get it round Cheltenham. Shame about Sprinter Sacre - he was an absolute machine. Denman never came back to his best after treatment for an irregular heart beat (loss of condition etc.), not sure if SS will/ can either.

Denman not win his 2nd Hennessey with his heart problem?


How come SS managed to pull up with a heart problem during a race yet they work him hard enough up a hill 3 times a week and never shows a thing,bit strange it just showed up out of no where.

jimjamcos

SRFC wrote: »

Denman not win his 2nd Hennessey with his heart problem?


How come SS managed to pull up with a heart problem during a race yet they work him hard enough up a hill 3 times a week and never shows a thing,bit strange it just showed up out of no where.

Yes, he did but here's the comparative records:

Denman before heartbeat issue 1/11112/11111/1111

Denman after /22F/1U24/325

jimjamcos

Hard to see anything beating Bobs Worth if he's right come Cheltenham. Sivinianco Conti at a push maybe as he's the one unknown in the likely field. Might travel through the race better but I'd be shocked if he outstayed BW up that hill.

sting60

So no Irish horses fancied,why.SC ran a blinder last year and he has to run a well,imo.

triggerharvey

bobs worth is a nailed on certainty for the gold cup! closutton lad u should find a different pastime if ur not going to miss sprinter sacre

jimjamcos

sting60 wrote: »

So no Irish horses fancied,why.SC ran a blinder last year and he has to run a well,imo.

Hard to see anything behind BW today reversing form. He won it last year on bad ground, won today on bad ground and is better on good ground. Hard to see a chink in his armor.

oPATCHo

Very hard to see BW beaten, wish I go some on him after his run at Haydock.

Not going to do anything silly, I think I'll keep my ante post money until Gold Cup Friday and hope the bookies offer anything decent enough - which I doubt as they got burnt with the BW offer they did last year

SRFC

Bobs worth will be a decent price on the day wont be odds on or anything like it you'll surely get 2s or so,wouldnt go near an henderson horse ante post.

klairondavis

Anyone who won't miss Sprinter Sacre isn't worth taking seriously. He's as good a chaser as we have seen since Arkle and Flyingbolt. Horses like that are the ones that attract people to the game and they will be remembered for decades. So what if he starts long odds on every time and beats small fields without having to engage third gear. It was a privilege to see him in the flesh at Punchestown in April. If you want to see big field races where it's 5/1 the field then head to Galway instead.

Clonsuttonlad

Comparing Sprinter Sacre to two horses who could win over a proper chase trip of over 3 miles is very silly.

Arkle Achieved infinitely more than Sprinter Sacre.

Sprinter Sacre would need to win a King George or a Gold Cup to be mentioned in the same sentence as Arkle, Desert Orchid, Best Mate, or Kauto Star.

Sure Beneficient can beat Sizing Europe.

mdwexford

Head is about to explode.

klairondavis

Clonsuttonlad wrote: »

Comparing Sprinter Sacre to two horses who could win over a proper chase trip of over 3 miles is very silly.

Arkle Achieved infinitely more than Sprinter Sacre.

Sprinter Sacre would need to win a King George or a Gold Cup to be mentioned in the same sentence as Arkle, Desert Orchid, Best Mate, or Kauto Star.

Sure Beneficient can beat Sizing Europe.

Fair enough so. A point well argued.

Snoopy Loopy had Kauto Star beat at Haydock once. I'll have to send off an angry email to Timeform inquiring as to why he doesn't feature in their highest rated chasers.

:rolleyes:

Bangor Billy

Why does a horse have to win a Gold Cup to be considered great? I have seen some terrible Gold Cups over the years. Only two years ago The Giant Bolster almost won the Gold Cup!

Best Mate is a perfect example. His record shows he won three Gold Cups but they were awful races and I don't think he can be mentioned in the same breath as horses like Desert Orchid and Kauto Star, let alone Arkle.

Gringo180

Was there any excuse for Dynastes KG run? Seems a big price at 25/1 if you take into account his first run of the season.

jimjamcos

Gringo180 wrote: »

Was there any excuse for Dynastes KG run? Seems a big price at 25/1 if you take into account his first run of the season.

Wasn't strong in The Jewson, can't see him out staying BW, SC or FL in a Gold Cup. Aintree horse imo.

kiers47

Do people really believe there is a better Gold Cup horse in the field than Bobs Worth? Genuine question? Just curious.

He has the course form, won last year and looked as good as ever in the Lexus.

He looks fairly bomb proof to me. 9/4 is more than fair about a horse who will just love this race.

He was near on the same price last year in a very similar looking race.

jimjamcos

kiers47 wrote: »

Do people really believe there is a better Gold Cup horse in the field than Bobs Worth? Genuine question? Just curious.

He has the course form, won last year and looked as good as ever in the Lexus.

He looks fairly bomb proof to me. 9/4 is more than fair about a horse who will just love this race.

He was near on the same price last year in a very similar looking race.

Yep, grand price NRNB. Very hard to see him not winning

yaboya1

kiers47 wrote: »

Do people really believe there is a better Gold Cup horse in the field than Bobs Worth? Genuine question? Just curious.

He has the course form, won last year and looked as good as ever in the Lexus.

He looks fairly bomb proof to me. 9/4 is more than fair about a horse who will just love this race.

He was near on the same price last year in a very similar looking race.

I totally agree. Out and out Gold Cup horse. Reminds me a lot of Denman. Silviniaco Conti & Cue Card just don't strike me as stamina laden warriors like the aforementioned Bob's Worth and there's nothing in Ireland to beat him based on all known form. Al Ferof is the only possible fly in the ointment, but he's got a bit to prove. I'd still rather back him e/w at 14/1 than either of the other two at half the price or less. I think if he runs here he'll finish in the first three.

BumperD

kiers47 wrote: »

Do people really believe there is a better Gold Cup horse in the field than Bobs Worth? Genuine question? Just curious.

He has the course form, won last year and looked as good as ever in the Lexus.

He looks fairly bomb proof to me. 9/4 is more than fair about a horse who will just love this race.

He was near on the same price last year in a very similar looking race.

Agreed. Conti the danger IMO, had him backed last yr and was going well until he fell. Doesn't have that crucial course form but won the king George impressively, if bob didn't make it, I would back him. But if bob runs, I'm all over him like a rash.

longshotvalue

yaboya1 wrote: »

I totally agree. Out and out Gold Cup horse. Reminds me a lot of Denman. Silviniaco Conti & Cue Card just don't strike me as stamina laden warriors like the aforementioned Bob's Worth and there's nothing in Ireland to beat him based on all known form. Al Ferof is the only possible fly in the ointment, but he's got a bit to prove. I'd still rather back him e/w at 14/1 than either of the other two at half the price or less. I think if he runs here he'll finish in the first three.

Great as he was he still only won 1 gold cup. It ain't easy to win a couple. That said its hard to find anything to beat him unless its good ground and Cue Card can then stay..

mailburner

kiers47 wrote: »

Do people really believe there is a better Gold Cup horse in the field than Bobs Worth? Genuine question? Just curious.

He has the course form, won last year and looked as good as ever in the Lexus.

He looks fairly bomb proof to me. 9/4 is more than fair about a horse who will just love this race.

No, absolutely not
He looks bomb proof to me also
I'm more worrried about cue card than sv
cc will give us a few scares with how well he'll travel but
he'll be a spent force close home imo

love the gold cup, it usually goes to the best horse and
for me its been by far my best betting wise

yaboya1

aidankkk wrote: »

Great as he was he still only won 1 gold cup. It ain't easy to win a couple. That said its hard to find anything to beat him unless its good ground and Cue Card can then stay..

You're right about that. Seems to take a lot out of a horse. Looks like it should be a great race regardless.

mdwexford

Denmans career got ruined after the heart problem, was unbeaten until then over fences and god knows what he could have done considering he came 2nd in three more Gold Cups with a dodgy ticker.

Bobs Worth does look a fantastic bet at the moment, especially with his main rival out injured.

Gringo180

Bobs Worth is a top horse but he is not in the same league as that tank Denman.

hucklebuck

Bobs looks fairly bulletproof, one at a big price I like at a bigger price is Rubi Ball at 16/1.

I backed Cue Card ante post last year for the Gold Cup, I think even if he does see out the trip Bobs will beat him as he won't get the time to have the breather his running style needs.

Malarkey121

Rubi Ball was available in Boyles at 25's that's my 2nd ante post bet for Cheltenham on that e/w, will certainly go off a lot shorter than
25's if lining up fit and well, could trade or could place at 25's which is better than current fav winning return, but also it might just go one better and get lucky and win for a nice payday. Interesting for sure.

BumperD

Rubi Ball setback

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/9150018/setback-rules-ball-out-of-hennessy

Malarkey121

Rubi Ball will not be running in the Gold Cup, Money back if you've backed it NRNB.

Gringo180

I know the ground was bottomless but its safe to say we won't see Al Ferof in the Gold Cup he finished legless there today.

triggerharvey

al ferof would,nt stay 3 miles two furlongs n a horsebox

ste2010

triggerharvey wrote: »

al ferof would,nt stay 3 miles two furlongs n a horsebox

I wonder could he do with some wind tinkering

Gringo180

triggerharvey wrote: »

al ferof would,nt stay 3 miles two furlongs n a horsebox

He's bred to stay forever, maybe he will appreciate a bit of good ground.

hucklebuck

First and last time I back that ****ebox.

It was clear today not to back anything headed for the festival, a pile of them out on a daytrip!

ste2010

hucklebuck wrote: »

First and last time I back that ****ebox.

It was clear today not to back anything headed for the festival, a pile of them out on a daytrip!

Take note of that for tomorrow aswell

jimjamcos

Tomorrow's the day when the GC will be well and truly shaken up. Last Instalment to prove himself a real contender.

mailburner

al ferof didnt stay the king george

I think pricewise tipped it up after that race
i'm open to correction on that
not sure what he saw in the king george but
All I saw was a non stayer

jimjamcos

mailburner wrote: »

al ferof didnt stay the king george

I think pricewise tipped it up after that race
i'm open to correction on that
not sure what he saw in the king george but
All I saw was a non stayer

Yep, he tipped him post KG. Id say his reasoning was that he'd be much better at his favoured Cheltenham and going left-handed. His breeding would have suggested that no distance was too far too plus Nicholls was giving hints that that's where he'd go. Can see why he tipped him, to be fair.

mailburner

jimjamcos wrote: »

Yep, he tipped him post KG. Id say his reasoning was that he'd be much better at his favoured Cheltenham and going left-handed. His breeding would have suggested that no distance was too far too plus Nicholls was giving hints that that's where he'd go. Can see why he tipped him, to be fair.

I questioned my own judgement when I seen pricewise put this up and
reading on forums about how highly nicholls rates af and just thought I
had to be wrong
more I watched the kg the more convinced I was he was never
going to stay the gold cup and I backed him in the kg thinking
there was a chance I'd see a genuine gc contender

mdwexford

Last Instalment impressed me today.

jimjamcos

mdwexford wrote: »

Last Instalment impressed me today.

Hope you got some of the 50's lad!

Colonel Sanders

Last Instalment could still become the horse I thought he would 2 years ago. His win in the 3m novice at Xmas marked him out to me as something very special. I'd rarely seen a novice jump like that, he simply steps over his fences

Today was very impressive & the market drift makes me think Fenton wasn't putting people away about his fitness during the week

Must admit I'm glad I've NRNB, when a horse has leg problems you have to assume they won't run him on anything other than safe ground.

First Lieutenant to go Ryanair again if Last Instalment lines up on the Friday?