2015 Champion Chase

[Old Vic]

Game Spirit only SDG, Uxizandre, Mr Mole, Vibrato Valtat, Upsilon Bleu and Karinga Dancer entered.

Where is Captain Conan ?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Neither Captain Conan nor Finian&#39;s Rainbow are expected to be ready to run at Newbury next Saturday. Cheltenham still the aim for both.</p>&mdash; Racing Post (@RacingPost) <a href="https://twitter.com/RacingPost/status/560411710709055488">January 28, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[MrMcGoldrick]

Looking at some stats yesterday for the QM and SDG's time last year was the 2nd fastest in 24 years, only Edredon Bleu had posted faster in 2000, and the time for Sprinter Sacre in 2013 was 12 seconds slower than SDG. I remember him approaching the final fence last year on the bridle so he wasn't pushed to record that time, if they have him fit I think he will take a lot of beating this year, a run before has to be a big help though because he thrives on racing.

[mayo]

Looking at some stats yesterday for the QM and SDG's time last year was the 2nd fastest in 24 years, only Edredon Bleu had posted faster in 2000, and the time for Sprinter Sacre in 2013 was 12 seconds slower than SDG. I remember him approaching the final fence last year on the bridle so he wasn't pushed to record that time, if they have him fit I think he will take a lot of beating this year, a run before has to be a big help though because he thrives on racing.

Yep..I am in Sprinter camp but lack of racing is main thing putting me off SDG . He got better every run last year. Mr Mole and Uxi could give him something to think about Saturday if not fully wound up.

[Sprinter]

Looking at some stats yesterday for the QM and SDG's time last year was the 2nd fastest in 24 years, only Edredon Bleu had posted faster in 2000, and the time for Sprinter Sacre in 2013 was 12 seconds slower than SDG. I remember him approaching the final fence last year on the bridle so he wasn't pushed to record that time, if they have him fit I think he will take a lot of beating this year, a run before has to be a big help though because he thrives on racing.

The ground was good last year and good to soft the year before.

Sire De Grugy is a good horse. Sprinter Sacre was a great one and hopefully will be again.

[Old Vic]

Stop it.

Shark getting a touch of the Willies ...WTF cant he say its the Champion Chase next.


Both Paddy Power and Betfred cut Hidden Cyclone to 12-1 (from 20) for the two-mile Grade 1 at Cheltenham in March and his trainer said: "I haven't spoken to the owner but we are definitely thinking down that road."

On the performance he added: "I was very pleased with him at home and the staff have done a lot of work to get him settled as he was always charging at his fences. We've done a bit of homework with him and it paid off because Andrew [McNamara - jockey] said he was so relaxed going to post.

"Today he was a different horse, the harder they go the better he likes it and going to the last he was the winner bar a fall. Andrew said he had a bit left in the tank but he did not want to knock him as he's had two falls this season and that's enough!

"We'll give him a week or ten days, he's not a hard horse to get fit so he won't be doing too much between now and Cheltenham. Hopefully he can win his Grade 1 shortly."

Shark is hinting at Ryanair again

Dynaste was one to beat apparently.

[Sprinter]

Moscow Flyer the last winner to fall and win in same season ?

[loveracing]

Moscow Flyer the last winner to fall and win in same season ?

SDG jumped like a hog.

PN didn't think Mr Mole was a Champion Chase horse before this race, which means DB must be far superior at home.

If the old SS doesn't turn up then my 12/1 on DB is looking good.

[MrMcGoldrick]

SDG jumped like a hog.

PN didn't think Mr Mole was a Champion Chase horse before this race, which means DB must be far superior at home.

If the old SS doesn't turn up then my 12/1 on DB is looking good.

Yep, SDG jumped like he has a problem, twisted his back end a couple of times, didn't help either that Jamie Moore couldn't see a stride at any bar maybe two fences, sometimes they need the jock to push them into a fence, didn't happen today. Then he just looked to forget what he had to do, hitting one then mullering the next, it will need plenty of work to bring him up to speed after that, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of them missing the fez and waiting for Aintree, or maybe go to Ireland, give them more time.

[loveracing]

Could be an injury he will never get over.

It's all about the up and coming 2 milers this and next season. UDS and co.

[Old Vic]

Just back from Newbury.

Mr Mole is a serious Champuon Chase contender - Uxizandre ran his race and as well held when getting ready of Barry at the last. I wouldn't write SDG off as a horse but can't see him being ready in four weeks.

Mr Mole is one quirky horse though - could see him doing a Mad Moose at some stage !

[loveracing]

Could be an injury he will never get over.

The above came out a bit wrong. I meant to say "he may never be the same SDG after the he injury".

[loveracing]

Just back from Newbury.

Mr Mole is a serious Champuon Chase contender - Uxizandre ran his race and as well held when getting ready of Barry at the last. I wouldn't write SDG off as a horse but can't see him being ready in four weeks.

Mr Mole is one quirky horse though - could see him doing a Mad Moose at some stage !

OV, it is 6.41pm you got back from Newbury. you must have ended down the pub or a distance drive away.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the day.

[Old Vic]

The above came out a bit wrong. I meant to say "he may never be the same SDG after the he injury".

Yep. In comparative terms Sprinters comeback was more impressive but we know SDG improved through last season. Whether it was fitness or more today I don't know but I wouldnt b backing SDG in March.

The Sire De Grugy vs Sprinter match could be a bit like Imoerial commanders gold cup.

[MrMcGoldrick]

The Champion chase is starting to look like one of those races where you try to pick out the least unlikely winner, and at this stage I think Champagne Fever falls pretty close to what you'd look for in a search of that type, travels well, Cheltenham form, top trainer/jockey combo, but still has questions to answer. If the real Sprinter turns up we are most likely looking for a place contender but with Hendos recent record I'm not entirely sure we'll see SS at the festival. Another good example today was Sign of a Victory, they were talking about him to Bazza on the morning line and it was suggested that they were looking for a good run to book him a place in the champion hurdle, 2 hours later he's declared a non-runner through lameness.

[loveracing]

The Champion chase is starting to look like one of those races where you try to pick out the least unlikely winner, and at this stage I think Champagne Fever falls pretty close to what you'd look for in a search of that type, travels well, Cheltenham form, top trainer/jockey combo, but still has questions to answer. If the real Sprinter turns up we are most likely looking for a place contender but with Hendos recent record I'm not entirely sure we'll see SS at the festival. Another good example today was Sign of a Victory, they were talking about him to Bazza on the morning line and it was suggested that they were looking for a good run to book him a place in the champion hurdle, 2 hours later he's declared a non-runner through lameness.

I couldn't agree with you more on every point MM.

I forgot to mention CF as the main danger. Can see Mullins entering him here after what happened today.