Cheltenham Gold Cup 2020

[Kevloaf]

Not very good is he Kev ?

He's over rated, but he's good.

Like The Beatles

[ryanh97]

He's over rated, but he's good.

Like The Beatles

And Presenting Percy

[Stormy Antarctic]

still plodding around sandown

Haha, got me laughing this! He reminds me of a bloke lives in my town. Too lazy to go to work so packed it all in and got fat. I think something over 6 miles would suit santini

[The Beast]

Did Delta work win today mmmmmmm , oh yeah he did. Oh bugger he came third in RSA , must of been a shite race because the plodder ,the boat that is Santini came second on a bad prep.

[Stormy Antarctic]

Apologies if I’ve offended any Santini followers. Had a few beers. I’m not crabbing last years RSA just thought he didn’t look interested in his job on that occasion. It would be unusual for all of the placed horses in last years novices to all step up and be forces in the grade 1s in open company. He might have a big pot in him, but I don’t think this is it.

[Altior]

A real shame TOTG is out for the year

[archie]

Paul said that he came to win his race and the lack of a run just told after the last. Should come on a fair amount for the Irish Gold Cup and he was the only one of the first five having his seasonal debut. For me he didn't have quite his normal enthusiasm but he's a year older and more mature so perhaps that's understandable. Not much change in his GC price and PP keep him as favourite.

Of the others, Delta Work was off the bridle a fair way out so did well to run past them at the end but he won't get away with that at Cheltenham. Monalee and Road To Respect won't stay and Percy looks to have peaked and should go the National route.

Worth noting that the 3 runners so far who were in that Punchestown gallop, Kemboy/Cadmium/Chacun Pour Soi, have all needed the run this week. Worth bearing in mind for ABP at Tramore although that looks to be a considerably easier race and he should get away with it.

[Lobos]

Paul said that he came to win his race and the lack of a run just told after the last. Should come on a fair amount for the Irish Gold Cup and he was the only one of the first five having his seasonal debut. For me he didn't have quite his normal enthusiasm but he's a year older and more mature so perhaps that's understandable. Not much change in his GC price and PP keep him as favourite.

Of the others, Delta Work was off the bridle a fair way out so did well to run past them at the end but he won't get away with that at Cheltenham. Monalee and Road To Respect won't stay and Percy looks to have peaked and should go the National route.

Worth noting that the 3 runners so far who were in that Punchestown gallop, Kemboy/Cadmium/Chacun Pour Soi, have all needed the run this week. Worth bearing in mind for ABP at Tramore although that looks to be a considerably easier race and he should get away with it.

Yep, thought Kemboy would need it. Ran a very good race though and think he'll be the one they all have to beat in March. Let's hope he gets a little bit further this season !

[jonthehammer]

ABP is still the one to beat, not LIT or anything else.
When he hopefully wins his prep in a couple of days he will be rightful favourite.

[Kautothegreat8]

ABP is still the one to beat, not LIT or anything else.
When he hopefully wins his prep in a couple of days he will be rightful favourite.

Yet Kemboy beat him fair and square last season and Presenting Percy smashed him in the RSA. It takes a very special horse to retain a Gold Cup. Denman couldn’t so it, Kauto couldn’t do it. Is he a Best Mate ??? I’m not so sure. It’s a proper open race and as we stand at the moment I would say the value is Native River and prey for soft or heavy.

[Scooby91]

Yet Kemboy beat him fair and square last season and Presenting Percy smashed him in the RSA. It takes a very special horse to retain a Gold Cup. Denman couldn’t so it, Kauto couldn’t do it. Is he a Best Mate ??? I’m not so sure. It’s a proper open race and as we stand at the moment I would say the value is Native River and prey for soft or heavy.

Kemboy caught him after the GC. And it was a very good duel.

Presenting percy form is long, long gone. And he fell when coming into contention for starters. Then has won everything going since.

[Kautothegreat8]

Kemboy caught him after the GC. And it was a very good duel.

Presenting percy form is long, long gone. And he fell when coming into contention for starters. Then has won everything going since.

I’m a fan of the horse don’t get me wrong and I really fancied him for last years gold cup without backing him ( don’t even ask ) but I do question the form of last years race. Kemboy fell very early, presenting Percy clearly wasn’t right, native river feeling the affects of the season before and the two in behind the winner are not really of elite level. Wouldn’t be right Percy off just yet either....... he’s an out and out stayer with the gold cup trip being right up his street. If he gets there fit and sound he’ll run a big race.

[ELEGANTLY TASTED]

Kemboy is a better horse on a flat sharp track, Al Boum Photo has recent history to defy though he is in the right hands so cant be ruled out. Clan Des Obeaux needs tp go right handed to show his best and would be a complete waste of time trying again with him, Lostintranslation was always the media/bookmaker horse and has been a highly successful money making exercise for the medias paymasters, I would want to see the current 9/1 for a bet that he just has to turn up for the race, probably wont stay, not good enough yet anyway.
Santini hasnt yet shown anything close to him even deserving to line up though that can change and he could progress though he greatly needs to and makes no appeal at 10/1.
Delta Work is becoming a player and improving which potentially makes him dangerous.
Presenting Percy was a very forward novice but his time has passed.
Native River has no chamce whatsoever and is probably extremely flattered by how easily he beat his 2 rivals to finish but they werent interested in trying and Black Corton is probably being laid out for one flof the festival handicaps. I very much doubt this is the same horse who won the gold cup no matter how he looked. Any horse would look good in a one horse race which is ultimately what it was.

None of the other big priced runners appeal at present apart from of course The Champ Elegant Escape. I do believe the Tizzards thought Lostintranslation was a gold cup cert but hopefully they will see the light and realise that its The Champ who is the Tizzard gold cup number 1.

AL BOUM PHOTO -Willie Mullins
DELTA WORK - Gordon Elliot
ELEGANT ESCAPE - Colin Tizzard
SANTINI -Nicky Henderson

I will be very surprised if the gold cup winner is not in my list of 4. The Champ is the only one I am actually on though.

[Kautothegreat8]

Kemboy is a better horse on a flat sharp track, Al Boum Photo has recent history to defy though he is in the right hands so cant be ruled out. Clan Des Obeaux needs tp go right handed to show his best and would be a complete waste of time trying again with him, Lostintranslation was always the media/bookmaker horse and has been a highly successful money making exercise for the medias paymasters, I would want to see the current 9/1 for a bet that he just has to turn up for the race, probably wont stay, not good enough yet anyway.
Santini hasnt yet shown anything close to him even deserving to line up though that can change and he could progress though he greatly needs to and makes no appeal at 10/1.
Delta Work is becoming a player and improving which potentially makes him dangerous.
Presenting Percy was a very forward novice but his time has passed.
Native River has no chamce whatsoever and is probably extremely flattered by how easily he beat his 2 rivals to finish but they werent interested in trying and Black Corton is probably being laid out for one flof the festival handicaps. I very much doubt this is the same horse who won the gold cup no matter how he looked. Any horse would look good in a one horse race which is ultimately what it was.

None of the other big priced runners appeal at present apart from of course The Champ Elegant Escape. I do believe the Tizzards thought Lostintranslation was a gold cup cert but hopefully they will see the light and realise that its The Champ who is the Tizzard gold cup number 1.

AL BOUM PHOTO -Willie Mullins
DELTA WORK - Gordon Elliot
ELEGANT ESCAPE - Colin Tizzard
SANTINI -Nicky Henderson

I will be very surprised if the gold cup winner is not in my list of 4. The Champ is the only one I am actually on though.

I’m not fancying Native River off the form of his last run all be it he did seem to run with more zest than last term. He’s been there and done it and to be fair to him, ran a cracker in defeat last year. He was pulled from the welsh national with the gold cup in mind. He’ll turn up on the day tuned up to run a big race. He’s a great e/w bet at 16/1

[archie]

Kemboy is a better horse on a flat sharp track

His best performance on your beloved RPRs has been at Punchestown which I believe you are quoted elsewhere as saying is undulating.

As for Elegant Escape, these are the recent thoughts of Joe:

https://www.timeform.com/horse-racing/news/lostintranslation-may-take-in-denman-chase-en-route-to-gold-cup-29122019?fbclid=IwAR0FCjxMQ925c5WBOAMh7ghJbHQU_OGdYYIUNGg--y2NB2pAhbiDzD0GXvQ