Gold Cup 2021

[Spectre]

Would a strong pace suit both Santini and Champ?

Hendo is probably quite happy if they go 'too quick'

Has he got a pacemaker? What's Might Bite up to

Yes I think it would suit them both Kev. I think ideally Santini needs to be up there as he's a galloper rather than a finisher. Whereas Champ wants to be held up off a proper galop as we saw in the RSA, but then produce him for the last and set off up the hill. I also like that he's been to Hen and also had a wind op. If they thought he wanted his wind doing and he was still capable of finishing like he did in March he should be a big improver.

Might Bite is drinking snakebites, smoking pot, and headbutting his stable door as usual.

[Lobos]

Yes I think it would suit them both Kev. I think ideally Santini needs to be up there as he's a galloper rather than a finisher. Whereas Champ wants to be held up off a proper galop as we saw in the RSA, but then produce him for the last and set off up the hill. I also like that he's been to Hen and also had a wind op. If they thought he wanted his wind doing and he was still capable of finishing like he did in March he should be a big improver.

Might Bite is drinking snakebites, smoking pot, and headbutting his stable door as usual.

I'm liking the sound of Might Bite........might have to have a night out with him !

[Kevloaf]

One of the areas for concern with Santini was that he lacks tactical pace wasn't it? Perhaps he isn't 'quick enough' to get himself out in front and jumping well enough to turn it into a galloping race?

They seem quite content with him 'in the van' and staying on.

It'll be interesting to see if they try it.


Champ I'd have said had more speed but he was out paced in the RSA and stayed on best of all. I have to admit my opinion on him is very washy at the moment. I don't know if I think he's actually brilliant or ridiculously lucky.

[Quevega]

One of the areas for concern with Santini was that he lacks tactical pace wasn't it? Perhaps he isn't 'quick enough' to get himself out in front and jumping well enough to turn it into a galloping race?

They seem quite content with him 'in the van' and staying on.

It'll be interesting to see if they try it.


Champ I'd have said had more speed but he was out paced in the RSA and stayed on best of all. I have to admit my opinion on him is very washy at the moment. I don't know if I think he's actually brilliant or ridiculously lucky.

They've both got no chance if it's good to soft or nearer good.
Unless they can show a different side.
Champ was running his best race in the dipper, before he took an extra step. He was looking like s different horse to the one we saw in March. Maybe he's not as one dimentional as Santini.

[Lobos]

If I had to bet a horse against ABP it would be Champ. He's the one with the most potential 'hidden' ability.

[SharpHat]

One of the areas for concern with Santini was that he lacks tactical pace wasn't it? Perhaps he isn't 'quick enough' to get himself out in front and jumping well enough to turn it into a galloping race?

They seem quite content with him 'in the van' and staying on.

It'll be interesting to see if they try it.


Champ I'd have said had more speed but he was out paced in the RSA and stayed on best of all. I have to admit my opinion on him is very washy at the moment. I don't know if I think he's actually brilliant or ridiculously lucky.

The thing with Santini is he jumped perfectly, literally didnt make a mistake the entire race, but still couldnt win (ABP made a couple). It would be remarkable to go round the gold cup again without touching a fence, and even if he does, its still a leap of faith to say he imprves past ABP

[Kevloaf]

The thing with Santini is he jumped perfectly, literally didnt make a mistake the entire race, but still couldnt win (ABP made a couple). It would be remarkable to go round the gold cup again without touching a fence, and even if he does, its still a leap of faith to say he imprves past ABP

I think his relative price to Al Boum Photo is one of the very strong reasons that I've not backed him. At any point I'd consider parting with cash on Santini at 7/1, I'd see ABP at 6/1 and back that instead.

I've done neither, but I see your point for sure

[Spectre]

I've warmed to Champ over the summer, and I've come round to the way of thinking that he may well be a lot better than I've given him credit for.

I had him as a hype horse with jumping frailties, and when I form that kind of opinion I can be guilty of getting stuck in my thinking.

Through most of his career he's been a really good travelling type beating inferior opponents, but he wasn't in his RSA. He's was against two top class novices, and despite being beat and seemingly off the bridle he had the raw ability to rally and get up the hill to win. It's that that's made me start re-looking at him and considering him a real contender. He's not the bridle merchant I had him down as, and he has shown he has guts and wants to get his head down and win.

As I said the wind-op is music to my ears, because it explains why he wasn't travelling with his usual zest in the RSA, and his jumping achilles is also being worked on by Hen, who seems to straighten out most of Henderson's to good effect.

[Spectre]

The thing with Santini is he jumped perfectly, literally didnt make a mistake the entire race, but still couldnt win (ABP made a couple). It would be remarkable to go round the gold cup again without touching a fence, and even if he does, its still a leap of faith to say he imprves past ABP

The argument for Santini is that he would reverse the form off a true galop, which is a theory I agree with.

[Pendil]

My view on 2020 Gold Cup (I backed Santini) is if Nico dB had gone for the brave mans route of going for a run on the inside of LIT after the last he would have won. Instead he made an exaggerated pull to go outside of LIT and lost 2 lengths, then powered home to lose by a neck. And yes I just suffered watching it again to refresh my memory

[Kevloaf]

Simon Rowlands piece that's been on had me going back watching it, but I resisted a bet.

I wish he was closer to 16/1.


There is just no juice in the price as it is now.

[Outlaw]

Simon Rowlands piece that's been on had me going back watching it, but I resisted a bet.

I wish he was closer to 16/1.


There is just no juice in the price as it is now.

He might not of had you back his selections, he has you seemingly acknowledging stride data & sectionals thou. That's the moral winner

[Kevloaf]

He might not of had you back his selections, he has you seemingly acknowledging stride data & sectionals thou. That's the moral winner

As this great man once said.....

[Penzance]

I backed Champ straight after the win in March. I really think he will have an excellent chance and as Spectre said that raw ability up the hill was what got me excited about his chance. I’m also a bit of a story seeker at times and can’t get away from what would be a love in with AP and the channel 4 crew with his lad being there. It’s set up for it fir me.

[The Beast]

I backed Champ straight after the win in March. I really think he will have an excellent chance and as Spectre said that raw ability up the hill was what got me excited about his chance. I’m also a bit of a story seeker at times and can’t get away from what would be a love in with AP and the channel 4 crew with his lad being there. It’s set up for it fir me.

A lot will depend on pace of the race from the outset for Champ to succeed , pretty sure McManus will do all he can to get Champ first past the post for reasons you have alluded to. Suitable pacemaker to ensure decent gallop , however this tactic will suit others also.