2022 Gold Cup

[Hardy Eustace]

I'm pretty sure he came out and said he would wait until Tramore but with the possibility of running again before Cheltenham.

“I’ll try and get him out as soon as I can, definitely by Christmas,” Mullins added.

“I’ll probably go to Tramore, but I’ll get a run or two into him before that, I think.”

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/horse...nners-25386221

I think we’re going to do things differently with him this time around. Last season we set out to give him the same minimalist campaign that had worked so well the previous two years, but it probably wasn’t really the same as he’d had such a long break due to Covid wiping out the end of the 2019/20 season. In fairness to him, he still ran very well in the Gold Cup, but we came away from it feeling that he might have just benefited from a heavier preparation. We are setting out to run him more often this season with the aim of getting to the Gold Cup a fitter horse. Our plans aren’t set in stone for him, but the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase is a potential starting point for him.

https://jumpsm.attheraces.com/features/stable-tours/willie-mullins---part-1

[Stormez]

But the biggest and most immediate stumbling block is boxing day. He will get whalloped by Braveman o who will be too pacy for him around Kempton. Once that happens any talk of going to the Gold Cup will disappear with it.

Just my humble opinion of course!

What makes you think he’d wallop him? Ahoy Senor was plenty quick enough around a sharp 3 miles at Aintree. Bit too quick for Bravemansgame if I remember rightly.

[Hardy Eustace]

What makes you think he’d wallop him? Ahoy Senor was plenty quick enough around a sharp 3 miles at Aintree. Bit too quick for Bravemansgame if I remember rightly.

I just think kempton maybe a bit tight for him. Braveman will be gaining a length at every fence, and although Ahoy beat him at Aintree Braveman had a gruelling race at Cheltenham.

Dont get me wrong I rate Ahoy, and think hell make a cracking staying chaser but he won't be carrying any of my hard earned on boxing day!

Are you in the Ahoy camp? Or just calling me out for my flippancy? Both are commendable!

[Stormez]

I just think kempton maybe a bit tight for him. Braveman will be gaining a length at every fence, and although Ahoy beat him at Aintree Braveman had a gruelling race at Cheltenham.

Dont get me wrong I rate Ahoy, and think hell make a cracking staying chaser but he won't be carrying any of my hard earned on boxing day!

Are you in the Ahoy camp? Or just calling me out for my flippancy? Both are commendable!

No I’m definitely in the Ahoy camp. I can see the appeal of Bravemansgame, his jumping is as good as it gets for a novice.

My concern with him is he’s a 2.5 miler, not a 3 miler.

You could say he can away with that around Kempton, but I think that’s a myth. It might be a flat 3 miles but that also means they often go flat out for 3 miles which is just as likely to find them out.

[archie]

Good point.

It is worrying however you look at it though - Willie said in his stables tours they were going to run him more this year, so the fact they haven't is a bit fishy to me.

19th December:

https://www.racingpost.com/news/dual-gold-cup-winner-al-boum-photo-likely-to-take-in-tramore-on-new-years-day/527956

[Carnage at Taunton]

I would love to see a horse win both the King George and Gold Cup.
Been a while.
The thought of a champion at two very different races appeals to me.
Only 2 realistic chances this time imo, Minella and Chantry.
One already won the Gold Cup, but has to prove good enough at Kempton, the other with a lot to prove in either race, but unexposed as to how high he can reach in this game.

Another possibilty i guess would be Mr Fisher, purely cos he is totally unexposed, but he would have to improve his jumping during a whole race to figure in either race.

Anyway, heres hoping !!

[Silverbirch]

Where to start with that

[Winging The Last]

Where to start with that

A Plus Tard Wins

[Altior]

Just to drive the Stayers backers mad, Nicky has to bring Champ here!!!

[Silverbirch]

I have no idea apart from ABP looks a bet

[Kevloaf]

Well well well.

Minella Indo out to 10/1 - lovely

Chantry House out to 25/1


Don't regret calling him a laughable price at all

[charlie]

Where to start with that

I think we knew quite a few of the main protagonists were unlikely to rock up here (AF wants right handed, CDO doesn't like Cheltenham Frodon doesn't stay).

I don't think taking Frodon on for a lead suited Minella Indo tactically at all. 10/1 is a price I'm probably going to take and it was the overreaction I was looking for.

Chantry House reminds me of Santini. As soon as there is any injection of pace in a proper Grade 1 he's out his comfort zone and sending out flares, bubble burst.

Savills will be really interesting now.

[Altior]

After APT the market is actually great value if you had a view on a horse.

[ToniC]

Where to start with that

The fucking bin…

[Ice]

Chantry House reminds me of Santini. As soon as there is any injection of pace in a proper Grade 1 he's out his comfort zone and sending out flares, bubble burst.

Chantry house never looked comfortable at any point and i can see the santini comparison.