2015 Gold Cup

[Karanja Kid]

I like that shout. Looks a real stayer with plenty of toe and course form already. If it wins RSA it'll be single digit. I hate going that far ahead but it's a decent small stakes punt. Might just do that myself. Only other time I've gone a year ahead was Treve for this years' Arc!

[Morning Glory]

Coneygree should have a go.

Ben Pauling was talking him up at the Liverpool preview. Said Nico really keen.

I'd prefer Richard Johnson on board tbh.

Like the username

[Liam301287]

Owt happened to Road To Rich bit of a drift today?

[Liam301287]

Dam missed the es sorry guys.

[Old Vic]

[Yeehaa]

[Old Vic]

[Old Vic]

Timeform

Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Silviniaco Conti has a couple of apparently good overall time efforts to his name this season, at Haydock and at Kempton, though the latter saw him receive a near-perfect sectional ride. The time comparison with Coneygree on the latter occasion flatters him, for the novice went very hard up front and was still “ahead” of Silviniaco Conti before the final straight. Indeed, if Coneygree is present in this field – rather than the RSA Chase – he could have a big say in how the race is run and even in the result itself.

Neither the Lexus Chase, won by Road To Riches at Leopardstown, nor the Hennessy Gold Cup, won by Carlingford Lough on the same course, particularly impressed on sectionals and overall times. Many Clouds showed he had abundant stamina when winning a gruelling Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and more than a little speed when winning a relatively fast-finishing BetBright Cup Chase at Cheltenham, a combination which should stand him in good stead in the Gold Cup itself.

Recent Cheltenham Gold Cups have been notably influenced by pace, with Bobs Worth’s win in 2013 coming in a far more attritional finish than Lord Windermere’s in 2014 (65.3s compared to 58.35s from three out: a difference of more than 30 lengths over less than half a mile). Such swings can easily mean the difference between winning and losing for individual horses, and Timeform will again be producing a time and sectional debrief after racing on each day of next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

[mayo]

Ian McClean

Gold Cup

Following 2014's race from the twilight zone, 2015 isn't exactly a vintage renewal for for most coveted prize on the calendar.

What it isn't lacking, however, is competition and any of seven or eight could win it without anyone raising an eyebrow. Silviniaco Conti should have won it last year but threw it away and is now 0-3 at the track. He undoubtedly has the best form, but it is all elsewhere.

Many Clouds is likely to find the ground too lively by Friday, and whilst Djakadam was interesting at 20/1 and above, his price right now based on any previous achievement is an insult both to humour and intelligence. Road To Riches and Carlingford Lough are similar horses on the Lexus form, but I'd have preferred to see Road To Riches on the track in 2015 and I have serious reservations about Carlingford Lough's aptitude for the obstacles around HQ (see last year's RSA).

In the close season Holywell was on everyone's lips for the Gold Cup. But punters have goldfish memories and Jonjo O'Neill's abysmal winter form saw Holywell disappear from view.

His Kelso win in February was just an exercise canter but at least it got his trainer off the ice-cold list. Holywell's Festival record is exemplary (won Pertemps and Handicap Chase last two seasons), the drying ground is in his favour and if AP McCoy was jocked up, the horse would be half the price.

Selection: Holywell

[MrMcGoldrick]

One horse I haven't seen discussed is the Giant Bolster, Scu seems pretty confident he'll run a big race, and he's been placed in each of the last 3 years. When you think of the difficulty the likes of Henderson has getting a horse to run in two consecutive festivals to the top level it's a glowing indictement of Bridgewaters capabilities that he's got this feller here 4 years running now, he could be the outsider that's currently the best value.

[mayo]

Djakadam third favourite now . I got it at 20/1 not so sure at 8s.

Smad Place and Bolster both ew options. Might put those 2 in tricasts with Silvi and Bobs

[donka]

If Djakadam wins then I will lose-Regardless of hype on form he's got no chance. He was heavily punted before the Hennessy where he carried no weight and got stuffed. We're continually being told to forget that run as he wasn't ready..They take the horse to another country for a 170k handicap where they back him heavily and we're expected to believe he wasn't fit..Bullshit! If he wins i'm packing it in.

[loveracing]

If Djakadam wins then I will lose-Regardless of hype on form he's got no chance. He was heavily punted before the Hennessy where he carried no weight and got stuffed. We're continually being told to forget that run as he wasn't ready..They take the horse to another country for a 170k handicap where they back him heavily and we're expected to believe he wasn't fit..Bullshit! If he wins i'm packing it in.

I am with you on this one donka. Its not like he beat a GC field at Thyestes and on totally different ground. That runs means nothing.

[mayo]

Its not like we saw the Thyestes either !.

I wouldnt dismiss him totally but with Ruby up you can almost guarantee he will shorten from the price he is now. He is not the third most likely winner of the race imo.

[Mytentoryours]

Its not like we saw the Thyestes either !.

I wouldnt dismiss him totally but with Ruby up you can almost guarantee he will shorten from the price he is now. He is not the third most likely winner of the race imo.

Very talented horse and a super jumper. If Coneygree runs I think it will inconvenience others a lot more than him but not for me either. Can't see a six year old winning it (he is alot more inexperienced than Long Run was).