RSA Chase 2020

[Scooby91]

I'm not convinced that Champ is a stayer that needs 3m. Champ was outstayed in the Ballymore and outstayed the previous season against Vinndication when he should have put the race to bed. If the evidence is because he won at Aintree over 3m, watch the race back and see how steady a pace it was - the majority were in a line 2 out. Plus 3m at Cheltenham is a much stiffer test. He was more forward than the rest last season due to being a second season novice which helped him to be one of the better novices but the fact is he still didn't win his biggest race last season, and I strongly suspect there will be some that will improve past him this season.

I'd be very confident Hes going to improve a bundle himself over fences. Look at the shear size and scope of him.
To me, His experience is only to his advantage, as is his cruising speed tactically.

You've definitely not seen the best of champ yet. And i'll let him do his talking on the track.

[SamuelP]

I'd be very confident Hes going to improve a bundle himself over fences. Look at the shear size and scope of him.
To me, His experience is only to his advantage, as is his cruising speed tactically.

You've definitely not seen the best of champ yet. And i'll let him do his talking on the track.

Yeah we don't know how much any will improve, and Champ is a very good horse. I just personally feel that 3m may not be his best trip, and that others who weren't as forward as Champ could improve more. Plus, more importantly, his price is too short

[Morley Street]

I'm not convinced that Champ is a stayer that needs 3m. Champ was outstayed in the Ballymore and outstayed the previous season against Vinndication when he should have put the race to bed. If the evidence is because he won at Aintree over 3m, watch the race back and see how steady a pace it was - the majority were in a line 2 out. Plus 3m at Cheltenham is a much stiffer test. He was more forward than the rest last season due to being a second season novice which helped him to be one of the better novices but the fact is he still didn't win his biggest race last season, and I strongly suspect there will be some that will improve past him this season.

Can’t buy into the notion that Champ go outstayed in either race. Greenness cost him in the Vindicaction race and for me City Island just showed a bit more toe to the line last year. Plenty true staying typed have got beaten in the Ballymore over the years, Denman being the obvious example.

[Quevega]

Champ Looks like a born chaser to me and anything he did over hurdles was a bonus.

[charlie]

Champ could be a complete weapon over fences and take all the beating in the RSA, but as with any short priced favorite this early, people are going to pick holes. I think he'll definitely improve for a fence, but its fair enough to question the level of improvement as a second season novice that may have been more forward than his rivals last season. I think people will be torn with Champ and he'll be a horse that really splits opinion. There will be the non-believers that see a very good horse that's short in the market more because he's owned by JP and named after AP, then you will have those that rightly point out what he's done on the racecourse to counter that and put the 'hype' argument to bed. There's merit to both sides IMO and I am just not sure yet until I see him over fences. As Scooby says, let him do his talking on the track, i'm sure that will answer the debate for us.

[archie]

My main reservation about Champ is that he's actually older than Al Boum Photo and Kemboy and it's taken this long to get him to novice chases.

Granted they all improve at different times and rates but.......

[JackieMoon33]

My main reservation about Champ is that he's actually older than Al Boum Photo and Kemboy and it's taken this long to get him to novice chases.

Granted they all improve at different times and rates but.......

They would be some of my concerns too. Just comparing Champ to Minella Indo is interesting as they are the same price:

Champ
Will be 8 at the next festival
Has had 7 hurdle runs and 9 career
2nd at the last festival and 1st at Aintree

Minella Indo
Will be 7 at the next festival
Has had 4 runs hurdle runs and 5 career
1st at the last festival and 1st at Punchestown.

I often avoid Aintree and Punchestown form as many horses are over the top by then and some horses have bypassed the festival to target those meetings. The age and ‘miles on the clock’ would favour Minella Indo and you can argue that he’s always been a chaser too.

I’d expect both to be up there with the best but with all the other unknowns, I personally couldn’t touch either at 10/1.

[archie]

The age/maturity factor might be an advantage to Champ this season but you have to accept that he might not go on next season.

[ComplyOrDie]

Champ stays 3 miles!

I'd have to query his age though, but for the use of free bets I probably wouldn't back him, but I will have a few shortly to use so some are going on him!

[Can't Catch Me]

I also think he will get 3m no problem. Plenty of stamina in his breeding.

I just cant see the piece of form that justifies his position in the market as Fav.

[charlie]

I also think he will get 3m no problem. Plenty of stamina in his breeding.

I just cant see the piece of form that justifies his position in the market as Fav.

Profile/owners/AP link etc

[Scooby91]

Profile/owners/AP link etc

If that's what you want to believe.
Could be the fact that he came to the last at aintree in the 3m grade 1 on the bridle, showing throughout that he can settle and was a class apart.

Add to the fact as mentioned before he's always looked a staying chaser. Hes a fine big stamp of a horse. He's Tactically versatile with a high cruising speed. Last years winner santini went close in the RSA, and santini doesn't have the tactical pace or the class of champ.

Let's let him get his debut out the way and onto the kauto star. Id be confident he'll have little bother winning that. But If he doesn't win that, or an adaquate substitute, I'll hold my hands up.

[Can't Catch Me]

If that's what you want to believe.
Could be the fact that he came to the last at aintree in the 3m grade 1 on the bridle, showing throughout that he can settle and was a class apart.

Add to the fact as mentioned before he's always looked a staying chaser. Hes a fine big stamp of a horse. He's Tactically versatile with a high cruising speed. Last years winner santini went close in the RSA, and santini doesn't have the tactical pace or the class of champ.

Let's let him get his debut out the way and onto the kauto star. Id be confident he'll have little bother winning that. But If he doesn't win that, or an adaquate substitute, I'll hold my hands up.

Scooby, nobody can doubt he looked good at Aintree. But how good is Emitom? And Lisnagar Oscar was beaten further by Minella Indo at Cheltenham and he looks every inch a Chaser.

I agree he looks like he will improve for a fence, but which horse near the top of the RSA market doesn't? I'm not saying I dont think he will win, but I'd want alot bigger than 10/1 at this stage. Just my view.

[charlie]

If that's what you want to believe.
Could be the fact that he came to the last at aintree in the 3m grade 1 on the bridle, showing throughout that he can settle and was a class apart.

Add to the fact as mentioned before he's always looked a staying chaser. Hes a fine big stamp of a horse. He's Tactically versatile with a high cruising speed. Last years winner santini went close in the RSA, and santini doesn't have the tactical pace or the class of champ.

Let's let him get his debut out the way and onto the kauto star. Id be confident he'll have little bother winning that. But If he doesn't win that, or an adaquate substitute, I'll hold my hands up.

See post @ 8.37

[archie]

Beakstown v Sam Spinner at Wetherby tomorrow.