Champion Chase 2018

[Star Of A Gunner]

I know a lot went to TeeTees forum, certainly a lot of the Chelts forum did.

[Faugheen_Machine]

I know a lot went to TeeTees forum, certainly a lot of the Chelts forum did.

Thanks SOAG. Just checked their archive and it there are plenty of usernames that I recognise. The betfair forum is certainly a worse place without them.

[Can't Catch Me]

Oh yes, forgot about that one.

[Star Of A Gunner]

FM, yeah I joined more or less as soon as TT started it, probably 5years ago or more, but their level of racing knowledge was amazing and I found that I could contribute very little and slowly drifted away. I know that the guys were fed up of the nonsense on BF and how great threads could be wrecked in no time by the loons. Teets built the site very rapidly and very successfully, a bit like this forum really.

[Can't Catch Me]

Were you TD Gunner soag?!

[Star Of A Gunner]

Haha no not me CCM.

[Faugheen_Machine]

FM, yeah I joined more or less as soon as TT started it, probably 5years ago or more, but their level of racing knowledge was amazing and I found that I could contribute very little and slowly drifted away. I know that the guys were fed up of the nonsense on BF and how great threads could be wrecked in no time by the loons. Teets built the site very rapidly and very successfully, a bit like this forum really.

That's why I like this site so much - It's a loony free forum. I'm always surprised how many guests read the forum. It'd be great if even 10% registered.

[Star Of A Gunner]

Correct FM, one of the more vocal members got banned for having a tantrum one evening, he still posts on BF! New members were encouraged to make themselves known to the forum, and if I remember correctly they brought in a system whereas you had to become a member before you could go in and browse, as like here there were a lot of guests.

[Kevloaf]

That really hurt my feelings.

I made myself laugh as I was leaving the house and tried to explain to my wife why it was funny. She just asked me why I was being mean on the internet and what if you we're stronger than me. I changed the subject then.

Yeah I thought they might be too. I know some went to The Racing Forum.

I've read that one, couple seem knowledgable but quite a lot of bickering!

I know a lot went to TeeTees forum, certainly a lot of the Chelts forum did.

Not heard of that one, any good...... what if I leave

Thanks SOAG. Just checked their archive and it there are plenty of usernames that I recognise. The betfair forum is certainly a worse place without them.

and don't get any ideas FM

That's why I like this site so much - It's a loony free forum. I'm always surprised how many guests read the forum. It'd be great if even 10% registered.

We get the odd guest that seems to be a robot?

[Faugheen_Machine]

I'm not leaving Kev. You guys are stuck with me

[Istabraq]

Which forum(s) are you lads talking about ?
I was only ever familiar with BBC....

[Geordieboy83]

This is the only forum I'm a member of, viewed others but this one seems the best there is out there if I'm honest!

[Can't Catch Me]

Which forum(s) are you lads talking about ?
I was only ever familiar with BBC....

I was talking about the Betfair forum initially ista.

[Robante]

This race is causing me much headaches. Altior, Min and Douvan at their best, who wins? Douvan and Min won’t go in the same race, and it’s looking like Altior vs Douvan at the moment. If so then my only logic is that Altior and Douvan on old form are very closely matched, but the wind operation could eke out improvement in Altior and give him the edge. Anyone got any strong feeling that Douvan beats Altior? (Assuming both are race fit going to post)

[Montjeu]

This race is causing me much headaches. Altior, Min and Douvan at their best, who wins? Douvan and Min won’t go in the same race, and it’s looking like Altior vs Douvan at the moment. If so then my only logic is that Altior and Douvan on old form are very closely matched, but the wind operation could eke out improvement in Altior and give him the edge. Anyone got any strong feeling that Douvan beats Altior? (Assuming both are race fit going to post)

I think it's nearly impossible to have a strong view either way at this stage, as you say on old form they are so closely matched. Hard to know what kind of results Altior's wind op will yield, if it makes him better than ever then he is most likely the winner. All I'll say is however, Altior showed in the Arkle last year that he is capable of looking vulnerable. I still think Altior would have pulled out enough to beat Charbel had he stayed on his feet, but Charbel did look like he was going to make a real race of it. Maybe Cheltenham just isn't his favourite track, but that certainly wasn't telling in the Supreme.

Douvan on the other hand, barring the Champion Chase where he was carrying an injury, has never once looked vulnerable in any of his races. He's never once looked like he might be beaten. My point is, we have seen that Altior can be got at, that there are horses out there that can go with him and give him a race. The same cannot be said for Douvan, nothing has ever gotten him off the bridle over fences. Watch both races again and compare Douvan at the top of the hill in the Arkle to Altior, Ruby sitting motionless, Nico hard at work. That's without comparing the horses in behind. Beating Sizing John surely must be better form than beating Charbel and Cloudy Dream, even over 2 miles.

I know a lot of people will disagree but that is my honest assessment.

The Tingle Creek will reveal a lot, because I think Fox Norton is as good a marker as you'll get for the state of this division. At the moment, a peak Altior vs a peak Douvan, I'd be edging slightly towards the latter. At the prices even more so, but I won't be investing in any singles on either just yet.