2015 Gold Cup

[MrMcGoldrick]

Hennessy Form franked again.

Many Clouds ticks all the boxes.

He looked good today, seemed to do it fairly easily too, Ryanair beckons for Dynaste I would think.

[mayo]

He looked good today, seemed to do it fairly easily too, Ryanair beckons for Dynaste I would think.

Logical race for Dynaste. Smad Place could still place in a gold cup but the numbers of 2s is alarming.

[Old Vic]

He looked good today, seemed to do it fairly easily too, Ryanair beckons for Dynaste I would think.

You would think it shouldnt leave too much of a mark. Leighton got him into a great rythmn. Should have kept my powder dry.

[MrMcGoldrick]

You would think it shouldnt leave too much of a mark. Leighton got him into a great rythmn. Should have kept my powder dry.

You would have kicked yourself though, had Smad Place won, if you hadn't taken the 50/1, he would be close to single figures now

[mayo]

It was a good spot MMG. Going to play those markets a bit more myself.

Today's video http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/video...75696/14646783

[Old Vic]

You would have kicked yourself though, had Smad Place won, if you hadn't taken the 50/1, he would be close to single figures now

It was a good bet.

My first impression was that Smad Place dogged it which was why I was a bit disappointed. - looking at his form resolution could be questioned.

Having watched it again I think Many Clouds was idling - I'll give Smad Place the benefit of the doubt for now.

Good days racing - Peace & Co and Many Clouds the most likely Cheltenham winners and Dynaste if going to the Ryanair.

[Liam301287]

Backed many clouds before race today got 7/2. So from the winnings managed to get 10's for Gold Cup. With 20/1 for Road To Riches aswell hopefully 1 of these to will wn on the day. Led from the front nearly all the way Many Cloud which was very impressive.

[Yeehaa]

Backed many clouds before race today got 7/2. So from the winnings managed to get 10's for Gold Cup. With 20/1 for Road To Riches aswell hopefully 1 of these to will wn on the day. Led from the front nearly all the way Many Cloud which was very impressive.

That's a 45/1 double ? Looks a better option than the double win offered today. Well played.

[Liam301287]

That's a 45/1 double ? Looks a better option than the double win offered today. Well played.

Wished i had done the double. Just backed the single sadly.

[iainmcf]

I dont think that was a Gold Cup winning performance by Many Clouds with Dynaste so close up in third.Dynaste dosent see out the trip of 3m 1 at Chelt, and I would be concerned that the ground will not suit the winner come the big day in March.Take nothing away from Many Clouds win but not for me in Gold Cup.

[mayo]

Think Many Clouds has an awful lot going for him

..handles the course

second season chaser etc

Hennesy

[Morning Glory]

Did he bleed ?

Looks like blood in his nose in this

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>MANY CLOUDS after winning The Betbright Chase
<a href="https://twitter.com/LisaKozak">@LisaKozak</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/OliverSherwood">@oliversherwood</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/racinggroups">@racinggroups</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/CheltenhamRaces">@CheltenhamRaces</a> <a href="http://t.co/7ozLBmrNzu">pic.twitter.com/7ozLBmrNzu</a></p>&mdash; Michael Harris (@mjyharris) <a href="https://twitter.com/mjyharris/status/559110918425280512">January 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Morning Glory]

Race Video

http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/32739/clouds-claims-cup-glory

[mayo]

Many Clouds showed class and bravery in equal measure to win a fine renewal of the BetBright Cup Chase at Cheltenham.


Oliver Sherwood's Hennessy hero added to his sizeable Newbury haul in November with a superb round of fencing under Leighton Aspell.

Smad Place and Dynaste gave chase late on, but the always-prominent Many Clouds (4-1) had enough in reserve to keep the former at bay by a length and a quarter.

"He's improved again," said Aspell.

Many Clouds and Black Thunder went toe to toe for most of the race, albeit hardly setting an electric gallop.

The pace quickened five fences from home, at which point the former gained a slight lead as Black Thunder wilted.

Dynaste, the 5-2 favourite, and Smad Place suddenly arrived on the scene two fences from home, with the stage set for an absorbing finish.

But Aspell's companion always had the edge, striding purposefully clear to add further credence to his Gold Cup claims back at Cheltenham in March.

Aspell added: "At Newbury he gave his all, the tank was empty and we weren't sure.

"He looked fantastic and he trained fantastic but you just never know.

"He gave me a lovely ride round. He's intelligent and spots his fences and he's quick over them.

"If he had finished third or fourth I would have been happy, but that was a lovely performance.

"We love this horse."

Bookmakers were quick to react, with Many Clouds now available at around the 12-1 mark for the Gold Cup on March 13.

Sherwood said: "He got into a really good rhythm and jumped super.

"He was dossing a little bit up the run-in - he was in front for a long time - but we know he gets the trip really well.

"It was important to come here and get him some experience of Cheltenham.

"I'm so pleased he's won as it's my first winner here since the Greatwood in 2000 (Hulysse Royal).

"It's great to have that monkey off my back.

"The dream is still alive. My job now is to get him back here in one piece for March."

Trevor Hemmings also owns Preston North End and is at Deepdale to watch them play Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round.

His racing manager Mick Meagher said: "It was a lovely performance and we're delighted with him.

"He's in the mix now, I guess, for the Gold Cup and he's told us where he's going.

"Mr Hemmings will be absolutely delighted. He's watching Preston today."

Smad Place is set to renew rivalry with Many Clouds in the Gold Cup.

His trainer Alan King said: "We're going for the Gold Cup. I know we were getting 8lb from the winner, but I was pleased with him today.

"I really had to nurse him back. He had a real hard race in the Hennessy. He knew he'd been there.

"I'm delighted with Oliver. We watched the race together and have made a pact to find a little corner and watch the Gold Cup together."

Festival options remain fluid for Dynaste.

His rider Tom Scudamore said: "He ran very well again.

"I was pleased with him and he's just been beaten on the day.

"I could not blame the trip. He had every chance and at the second last we were going as well as the winner.

"We'll sit down and talk about it. All the options are still there. I'm disappointed to get beaten, but I wasn't disappointed with him."

[Old Vic]

Great Stat

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Any concern the effect of cheekpieces will wear off with Silviniaco Conti? PFN 1st time CPs: 28%, 2TO: 9%, 3TO: 5%.</p>&mdash; Tony Keenan (@RacingTrends) <a href="https://twitter.com/RacingTrends/status/559462290152751104">January 25, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>