2022 Cross Country Chase

[Lobos]

Gordon didn't sound very up beat though re Tiger yesterday. Just hope he comes good in March just one last time and can be retired after another festival win.

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

I’m sure I recall De Bromhead saying they found out that BDF had a stone bruise after Cheltenham. It must be one hell of a stone bruise to keep him out for the season. How annoying. Come on Tiger.

[Istabraq]

I'm not so sure. A big roll up possibly yes but small winnings I reckon they'd want Tiger to come home first again. He's been a brilliant servant to national hunt racing and has got plenty involved.

Of course he's been a great servant to the game, that's unquestioned, but that isn't the issue here.
If sentiment drives you and your preferred outcome in any race is a win for a horse you haven't backed then I'd suggest the sensible thing to do is not have a bet in the race.
I'm struggling to understand that it would ever make sense to back a horse and hope it gets beaten...

[Zachx02]

Not seen Escaria Ten spoke about here, his target is the grand national going off the article posted in the RSA thread. Since the weights are released mid February for the GN, they may come here for his prep run?

[Atlantic Viking]

I'm not so sure. A big roll up possibly yes but small winnings I reckon they'd want Tiger to come home first again. He's been a brilliant servant to national hunt racing and has got plenty involved.

If they wanted Tiger to win over there own win bet, then wouldn't they just be better off, you know, backing him?! I know the sentimental angle you're coming in at and if I got beat by a nice story e.g. Tiger, Sprinter Sacre etc... I'd offer polite applause and say fair enough, but that's it. I want my best winners to win, nobody has sentiment columns full of cute emojis on their spreadsheets/diaries And if they do we should all change our locks to be on the safe side.

[Eggs]

Not seen Escaria Ten spoke about here, his target is the grand national going off the article posted in the RSA thread. Since the weights are released mid February for the GN, they may come here for his prep run?

….Sky have him @14-1 for this.

I had a little interest in the Sky RaB, Escaria Ten to win XC & GN @ 250-1 last month. No suggestion Cheltenham is the plan reading that article but somebody has requested the bet.

Note; that Sky RaB is still 250-1 but it is very speculative.

[robith]

I get the sentiment but anyone having a bet in the race will surely disagree, I doubt there are many people who happily part with hard earned cash and cheer on another horse to beat theirs...

Un De Sceaux went off 6/4 for the Champion Chase, but the rafters were shaking as Sprinter bolted up

[Lobos]

Un De Sceaux went off 6/4 for the Champion Chase, but the rafters were shaking as Sprinter bolted up

Exactly what will happen with Tiger. I didn't back SS that day but I really didn't give it a seconds thought who I'd backed when it was clear a little bit of history was going to be made.

[Rigga]

My best memory of all the Cheltenham’s I have witnessed… SS put the race to bed in a few strides when it actually looked like SS was struggling.,, Goosebumps that day…,
in fact, I have just watched it back now.

[The King Pimm]

I think the only horses not in the current XC market that will shake the market up will be French based horses coming over. The chances of that happening are slim at the moment with all the covid restrictions and hassle. Without their input this year’s renewal is looking pretty bland. Given on what he’s achieved this season Back on the Lash looks a fair price but he’s won’t get the weight favour in March. I think all eyes on Tiger turning up after NRNB comes in.

[RufusFlynn]

With the news that Balko des Flos is out for the season, does Plan of Attack not look a good bet at around the 25/1 price?

I know a few have mentioned that they think he will go for the Kim Muir again, but:

He has ran in both XC races this season finishing a fairly close 3rd and 4th so good exeperience of the track/course.

Yes, he had a low weight in each, but apart from BdF so did the majority of the field in both races and therefore much closer to a level weighted field than a handicap (although appreciate the weight carried in March will be much more). He carried over 11st (11.5 & 11.7) in the last two running of the Kim Muir running respectably in both before falling in 21.

Is he not the sort to also target the National? The X tends to be a good prep. Still fairly lightly raced over fences having 5 runs the previous few seasons.

The race is likely to be lacking a superstar (besides a resurgent Tiger Roll).

Irish trained.

Struggling to nail down what goes here - Potters Corner is too insconsistent. Diesel D'Allier & Back On The Lash (both around 16/1) potentially but Plan of Attack is a higher rated horses and from memory wasn't given an overly hard time in either of the XC races. Would need to watch back.

Hasn't won over regulation fences since Aintree in October 2019 and running in the KM again leaves him vulnerable to a Gordy plot job.

[Silverbirch]

With the news that Balko des Flos is out for the season, does Plan of Attack not look a good bet at around the 25/1 price?

I know a few have mentioned that they think he will go for the Kim Muir again, but:

He has ran in both XC races this season finishing a fairly close 3rd and 4th so good exeperience of the track/course.

Yes, he had a low weight in each, but apart from BdF so did the majority of the field in both races and therefore much closer to a level weighted field than a handicap (although appreciate the weight carried in March will be much more). He carried over 11st (11.5 & 11.7) in the last two running of the Kim Muir running respectably in both before falling in 21.

Is he not the sort to also target the National? The X tends to be a good prep. Still fairly lightly raced over fences having 5 runs the previous few seasons.

The race is likely to be lacking a superstar (besides a resurgent Tiger Roll).

Irish trained.

Struggling to nail down what goes here - Potters Corner is too insconsistent. Diesel D'Allier & Back On The Lash (both around 16/1) potentially but Plan of Attack is a higher rated horses and from memory wasn't given an overly hard time in either of the XC races. Would need to watch back.

Hasn't won over regulation fences since Aintree in October 2019 and running in the KM again leaves him vulnerable to a Gordy plot job.

I agree. Only worry is that he goes to the Kim Muir but with how this race is shaping up, I doubt it.

I actually prefer Diesel D'Allier at 16s. I know he's been here and done it. But he's been bought recently and this is the confirmed target. He's got one more prep run before heading here after a rest. He's got crucial course form and experience. I do love the way he jumps, so efficiently and looks like he doesn't use any energy over them. He might not be top top class but he stays all day and I'd imagine he'll be in with a shout (only because of how this race is shaping up).

[Muswell]

Samcro? https://twitter.com/gelliott_racing/...217767426?s=21

[Lobos]

Fantastic to see Tiger schooling the XC fences but Samcro!!!???? Didn't expect that ......wowsers !! Thanks for posting Muswell.

[FinalFurlong91]

Samcro could be this years might bite