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Hi all, long time since posting but wanted to get back involved!
I have quite strong views on this race and feel the focus around the 2 Ricci horses and the two Don's (Cossack and Poli) are wildly misleading and that the value in the race lies outside of these.
Djakadam - Ran a belter in the race last year albeit got a nice tow round the inside for much of it and his jumping fragilities at cheltenham have already been mentioned. However, he's still the Ricci's best Gold Cup horse in my opinion.
Vautour - Simply outstayed by Cue Card in the King George. He had over a 3 length advantage in the home straight on a flatter track and simply didn't get home. Suited by shorter and would walk to victory in the Ryanair.
Don Poli - A grinder with a touch of class is how I see him and I just fear he will be outpaced down the hill and round the final turn and have to much to do in the straight. However, I have never been a fan but in fairness to him he's done the business more than once.
Don Cossack - Strange performance in the King George, being hard ridden alongside Cue Card without making progress and falling as a result of a very weary jump visually suggested he didn't get home. He is magnificent on his day such as in the Punchestown Gold Cup but at 0-2 at cheltenham he's too short.
The two I like this year are this season's King George winner and last year's third:
Cue Card - Ran brilliantly in this season's King George and beat a top class rival fair and square by outstaying him to the line. Blessed with tactical speed and slick jumping, something I have never associated with Cue Card is true stamina and battling qualities but he showed it in spades in december and fully deserves his shot. CT is waxing lyrical about his work at home, he has significant experience, finishing out of the top 3 at cheltenham only twice in 8 races and has won a champion bumper and a ryanair. He should be better for better ground and 7/1 is a more than fair price.
Road to Riches - Was my fancy last year and will hopefully carry my money again. He was pipped for 2nd in the last 50yds by Djakadam, perhaps paying the price for being more prominent and chasing home the winner sooner, but ran superbly nonetheless. Had an interrupted early season but that means he's lightly raced and is the clear favourite for this weekends Irish Gold Cup. If in good order he should win that race fairly comfortably and then will no longer be available at the 12s currently being offered. However, there has also been a lot of speculation about him taking in the Ryanair, which would be criminal in my mind, plus there is the likelihood B Cooper won't be riding so the situation is admittedly more complicated than last year.
I have quite strong views on this race and feel the focus around the 2 Ricci horses and the two Don's (Cossack and Poli) are wildly misleading and that the value in the race lies outside of these.
Djakadam - Ran a belter in the race last year albeit got a nice tow round the inside for much of it and his jumping fragilities at cheltenham have already been mentioned. However, he's still the Ricci's best Gold Cup horse in my opinion.
Vautour - Simply outstayed by Cue Card in the King George. He had over a 3 length advantage in the home straight on a flatter track and simply didn't get home. Suited by shorter and would walk to victory in the Ryanair.
Don Poli - A grinder with a touch of class is how I see him and I just fear he will be outpaced down the hill and round the final turn and have to much to do in the straight. However, I have never been a fan but in fairness to him he's done the business more than once.
Don Cossack - Strange performance in the King George, being hard ridden alongside Cue Card without making progress and falling as a result of a very weary jump visually suggested he didn't get home. He is magnificent on his day such as in the Punchestown Gold Cup but at 0-2 at cheltenham he's too short.
The two I like this year are this season's King George winner and last year's third:
Cue Card - Ran brilliantly in this season's King George and beat a top class rival fair and square by outstaying him to the line. Blessed with tactical speed and slick jumping, something I have never associated with Cue Card is true stamina and battling qualities but he showed it in spades in december and fully deserves his shot. CT is waxing lyrical about his work at home, he has significant experience, finishing out of the top 3 at cheltenham only twice in 8 races and has won a champion bumper and a ryanair. He should be better for better ground and 7/1 is a more than fair price.
Road to Riches - Was my fancy last year and will hopefully carry my money again. He was pipped for 2nd in the last 50yds by Djakadam, perhaps paying the price for being more prominent and chasing home the winner sooner, but ran superbly nonetheless. Had an interrupted early season but that means he's lightly raced and is the clear favourite for this weekends Irish Gold Cup. If in good order he should win that race fairly comfortably and then will no longer be available at the 12s currently being offered. However, there has also been a lot of speculation about him taking in the Ryanair, which would be criminal in my mind, plus there is the likelihood B Cooper won't be riding so the situation is admittedly more complicated than last year.
but Ricci doesnt retain him. If Cooper went with Don C would he let someone else take the ride ?
Whats the big deal who rides Don Poli. David Mullins or Russell will be just fine if Cooper picks Cossack.
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