Queen Mother Champion Chase 2020

[charlie]

The issue I have with altior is the riding tactics.
His best two furlongs are the last one, and the furlong after the finishing line.

If Nico waits too long again he's eventually gonna come a cropper. They're wasting a pretty strong finishing burst that he can sustain for longer than he is being allowed. He will need to go as they come down the hill and keep going.

The stronger pace that is likely in the champion may help him.

Why? You have nailed it and if you know I am sure Nico knows

[charlie]

I thought the same until I watched that video posted yesterday talking about BDD. After that Ruby broke down the CPS/Min race, which was very interesting. Think he said that PT thought CPS was idling on the run in, and then about CPS didn't look like a very tired horse.

10m 20 on.

Cheers Tim, interesting watch. I want to believe them, I really do, CPS is one of my biggest winners of the week but I am not sure.

[Quevega]

Should just boot him on a furlong earlier, like you say. Once the animal gets going it flies, and it's not like they're trying to Phoenix Way him into a handicap.

He's just risking getting beat by making a small jumping error, against horses that are nowhere near as good as him.
He seems to hold him up and wait for the flat spot between the last 2 or 3 fences.
He might not get the luxury against Chacun if they get on with it in March and he'll be at it earlier against better horses anyway.
maybe not Defi though

[Redbridge]

This is the stage where we have all backed our fancy and begin to cling to every straw thats offered, am I certain that CPS will win of course not and the same goes for the backers of the three main contestents because these three may just scare off a few other possible runners so where do we stand if it becomes purely tacticle.

[TimRiggins]

Most definitely, Q. More I think about the race, I think I might lay my points off and just take a freeroll. I lose nothing or win if Willie's boy gets it done, lol.

Cheers Tim, interesting watch. I want to believe them, I really do, CPS is one of my biggest winners of the week but I am not sure.

I chucked 6pts on him a/r @ 10/1 after Sky were a bit slow, so he's one of mine given I've hardly done anything this season. That's my only play in the race, other than sniping a tenner at 25/1 on Marathon for A Plus Tard.

I'd like to think he's right for the same reasons, but we certainly cannot be sure. Shaping up to be the race of the week, though. Could see any one of them winning it.

Even though I've been complaining about how busy I've been with work. I'm glad of it, given how tough this season looks, and the fact that there seems to have been even more carnage this year with everyone's AP books.

[Kevloaf]

Even though I've been complaining about how busy I've been with work. I'm glad of it, given how tough this season looks, and the fact that there seems to have been even more carnage this year with everyone's AP books.

Woah, woah, woooooaaah.

Speak for yourself. I feel like I'm in a great spot

[TimRiggins]

Woah, woah, woooooaaah.

Speak for yourself. I feel like I'm in a great spot

Haha, I'm sure it is.

Mine is more like a pamphlet than a book.

I would have been great if I'd had a sentimental punt on Pic today

[MadeinJapan]

I really like Richard Hoiles but his commentary at the end there was nonsense - ‘he’s holding on from Sceau Royal and Dynamite Dollars’. He was three lengths clear and going away at the time. That’s not holding on!

He relished the longer run in and relished the Cheltenham hill more than any horse I’ve ever seen so I think he’s still the one to beat in the Champion Chase.

Spot on with the commentary quote there MOM. Hoiles is usually quite good & I thought he got it totally wrong at the last. He’s always using that final turn of foot & didn’t look overly in hard to me.

[jono]

Fantastic to see Altior back winning and showing that finish once again.
He did basically produce a carbon copy of his Sandown and Cheltenham wins last Spring.
So I don't think anything has changed. He's still beating Sceau Royal in and around the same distance.
And it looks a much harder race this year...

But it does set us up perfectly for March now. What a race!
If I had to guess the outcome right now, having now seen them all win their final trial...

1. Defi du Seuil
2. Altior
3. Chacun Pour Soi

Chacun to travel and jump like a dream through much of the race.
But Chacun can't shake off either Altior and Defi as they loom up alongside approaching the final fence, all jumping in a line.
Nico sends Altior on with his trademark run up the hill, Barry does the same on Defi
It looks like Altior is going to do it but Defi continues on and wins by a length and a half.
Chacun a close 3rd a further length back.
A big distance back to 4th.

[TimRiggins]

Wish you'd gone into a bit of detail, and not been so ambiguous with regards to how you see things playing out, jono

[MadeinJapan]

This would be a class renewal if Defi, Altior and Chacun lined up.

Looking at some poor past renewals, plus some one-sided odds on dominations, this could be a true Champion Chase for the ages.

2017 1-2-3) Special Tiara - Fox Norton - Sire Valentino
2014 1-2-3) Sire De Grugy - Somersby - Module

If they all get there & serve it up to each other this will be a renewal on par with Azertiyoup, Moscow Flyer & Well Chief. One mistake & your race is over.

[charlie]

Fantastic to see Altior back winning and showing that finish once again.
He did basically produce a carbon copy of his Sandown and Cheltenham wins last Spring.
So I don't think anything has changed. He's still beating Sceau Royal in and around the same distance.
And it looks a much harder race this year...

But it does set us up perfectly for March now. What a race!
If I had to guess the outcome right now, having now seen them all win their final trial...

1. Defi du Seuil
2. Altior
3. Chacun Pour Soi

Chacun to travel and jump like a dream through much of the race.
But Chacun can't shake off either Altior and Defi as they loom up alongside approaching the final fence, all jumping in a line.
Nico sends Altior on with his trademark run up the hill, Barry does the same on Defi
It looks like Altior is going to do it but Defi continues on and wins by a length and a half.
Chacun a close 3rd a further length back.
A big distance back to 4th.

I think you are bang on tbh.

[Pendil]

I would think Nicholls will be happy with Dynamite Dollars and yes I know he was getting 3lbs. Reminds me of Dodging Bullets and quite happy with 33/1 ew NRNB

[Silverbirch]

What a finish we have in store for us for this race! Honestly, I think this will be the race of the week, potentially under a length between all 3 at the line

[Craigy14]

I can’t wait for this race now!

This sport throws up heroes and altior is one of those! Really hope Hobbs commits to it as this has the potential to be the race of a decade!

So many runnings have went through my head and they all have different outcomes

Have to say...not that I’ve backed much but if altior pulls it out the bag he HAS to go down as one of the all time greats!