Gold Cup 2021

[ComplyOrDie]

Defi is such a frustrating horse, he was awesome when he won the triumph, then basically had a year of running like sh*t, then came back and looked amazing again, now hes back to being sh*t. Maybe he's just an in and out horse i dunno. I have no doubt he will come back to form again tho, this just seems to be the pattern for him

This is how I see him tbh. You write him off at your peril.

However, I was long under the assumption he was never a crack 2m chaser, and had some long drawn out debates about this. I bring this up, not to prove I'm right, but because him losing at 2m over fences should not mean he is totally discounted, as I don't think it was what he should have been targeting anyway. He needs to be given his chance over further, and I think we'll see a different performance.

[Kevloaf]

This is how I see him tbh. You write him off at your peril.

However, I was long under the assumption he was never a crack 2m chaser, and had some long drawn out debates about this. I bring this up, not to prove I'm right, but because him losing at 2m over fences should not mean he is totally discounted, as I don't think it was what he should have been targeting anyway. He needs to be given his chance over further, and I think we'll see a different performance.

I think it's very fair to say that now he is no longer a two miler, certainly not a crack one.
Whilst he could/should have always been over further, some horses do want trips (and improve for them) as they get older.
I still think he's a good bet for the Ryanair, and I'd love to see him in the King George.
I'm a bit surprised they're going Tingle Creek, although I applaud the sportsmanship side of it... defending champion deserves a run.

[FinalFurlong91]

Minella indo and carefully selected declared as possible runners at navan on sunday

[Altior]

If Elliott got Samcro ticking again to win the JLT then there's definitely hope for Defi (or any horse, how they got Samcro winning a grade 1 after the previous 18 months is beyond me), unless he's completely gone at the game and just has had enough, which I don't think is the case.

[Istabraq]

there's definitely hope for Defi.

unless he's completely gone at the game and just has had enough, which I don't think is the case.

These French breds are jumping brush hurdles at 2 and fences at 3, they are well ahead of UK/Irish horses in terms if maturity.
When you consider that most NH breds this side of the channel don’t see a racecourse until they’re 5 it’s no surprise the French breds hoover up the novice events, but there are few who maintain their form to 9/10 years of age, we hope not but he could easily be regressing...

[FinalFurlong91]

If Elliott got Samcro ticking again to win the JLT then there's definitely hope for Defi (or any horse, how they got Samcro winning a grade 1 after the previous 18 months is beyond me), unless he's completely gone at the game and just has had enough, which I don't think is the case.

Does hobbs have the same special oats elliot has though?

[opatcho]

Hobbs, ermmmm, doubt he can get Defi back, appears to be too far gone now

[Lobos]

Minella indo and carefully selected declared as possible runners at navan on sunday

2 Gold Cup hopefuls going head to head. Decent match up.

[Bonjers]

Nicky already out padding the 'no races for Santini and Champ guff'. Every year without repeat. He's a brilliant, brilliant trainer but Christ alive this narrative is tiresome and is damaging to the game as a whole when there a vast array of options available to him. I know he's not the only one to do similar, but he pushes it to the extreme year after year particularly with his 3 milers. If I owned Santini, I'd be wondering why my 170 chaser hasn't yet won a Grade 1 over fences going into his third season. Chances are that you won't be lucky enough to own another like him anytime soon who can potentially take you to all those races with a real shot at landing one.

Festival week is wonderful, but there is a real issue (and if anything, it is growing with every passing year) with it becoming all-consuming to the detriment of many other top class races - inc the big handicaps.

How long until we just bin off the big races before March and introduce second, third and fourth year chases for Grade 1 horses to jog around at 1/5 before one meeting in March?

[Quevega]

Nicky already out padding the 'no races for Santini and Champ guff'. Every year without repeat. He's a brilliant, brilliant trainer but Christ alive this narrative is tiresome and is damaging to the game as a whole when there a vast array of options available to him. I know he's not the only one to do similar, but he pushes it to the extreme year after year particularly with his 3 milers. If I owned Santini, I'd be wondering why my 170 chaser hasn't yet won a Grade 1 over fences going into his third season. Chances are that you won't be lucky enough to own another like him anytime soon who can potentially take you to all those races with a real shot at landing one.

Festival week is wonderful, but there is a real issue (and if anything, it is growing with every passing year) with it becoming all-consuming to the detriment of many other top class races - inc the big handicaps.

How long until we just bin off the big races before March and introduce second, third and fourth year chases for Grade 1 horses to jog around at 1/5 before one meeting in March?

Yep - He's a nob.

And seems to ignore Ireland too. Particularly prior to the festival season.

Which is especially strange as he has high profile horses with Mcmanus.

There are some very suitable races for both those horses in Ireland for sure.

[Istabraq]

It’s strange Hendo doesn’t believe the Hennessy is suitable for either Santini or Champ, yes they’d carry plenty of weight but that’s because they’re exceptional horses.
Or, just maybe, he has the race in mind for a specific horse(s) and doesn’t want one of his stars taking glory from another owner ???

[doctorwu]

Nicky already out padding the 'no races for Santini and Champ guff'. Every year without repeat. He's a brilliant, brilliant trainer but Christ alive this narrative is tiresome and is damaging to the game as a whole when there a vast array of options available to him. I know he's not the only one to do similar, but he pushes it to the extreme year after year particularly with his 3 milers. If I owned Santini, I'd be wondering why my 170 chaser hasn't yet won a Grade 1 over fences going into his third season. Chances are that you won't be lucky enough to own another like him anytime soon who can potentially take you to all those races with a real shot at landing one.

Festival week is wonderful, but there is a real issue (and if anything, it is growing with every passing year) with it becoming all-consuming to the detriment of many other top class races - inc the big handicaps.

How long until we just bin off the big races before March and introduce second, third and fourth year chases for Grade 1 horses to jog around at 1/5 before one meeting in March?

Tres bon Bonjers.

[Nwfb89]

Last couple interviews iv seen with Henderson he makes me laugh when hes saying the savills chase at Xmas is a serious option for champ, I just can't see him sending him anywhere near Ireland for his 1st run of the season and 1st in open company in what will be a competitive g1, if I had to guess champs route to the gold Cup it will be the graduation chase over 2m5 at ascot just before Xmas then the denman at Newbury

[Istabraq]

There’s a G2 staying chase at Aintree in December too, Native River won half the track last year, would fit the bill for Santini and Champ even though both need a stiff stamina test...

[Bonjers]

There’s a G2 staying chase at Aintree in December too, Native River won half the track last year, would fit the bill for Santini and Champ even though both need a stiff stamina test...

This is supposedly where Santini is heading, but then Native River and Frodon are also targeting it so I can just about see Nicky pulling him out as he won't want a tough race first time out.