Gold Cup 2021

[Kevloaf]

The second favourite for the GOLD CUP, just lost to Sceau Royal in his first run of the season over 2 miles.


Second favourite.


So the most likely winner after Al Boum Photo?





Abso-fooking-lutely no chance.



Worst priced horse of the week.





That is madness......

The favourite and second favourite have had 2 runs between them.....

......and we're celebrating the race.

[Hurricane fly]

It certainly doesn’t have the buildup that previous years have had.

Which is making me come round to APT, a horse I haven’t backed since the novice handicap 2 years ago. I think it could be a Sizing John type win with an unexposed upped in trip winner surprising an average bunch of 3 milers.

Which sounds absolutely mad given how great the last two RSAs have been

[charlie]

Al Boum Photo
WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup

The champ is in great order. I was initially a bit disappointed leaving the stand at Tramore on New Year's Day, but when I got back home and put all the elements together I was much happier with the performance. He hadn't run in the autumn because Punchestown was cancelled and he'd gone out to grass much earlier than others so he was more backward than I thought he would be. He seems to be in great order and I'm very happy with where I have him at this stage with a few weeks to go.

[Milbear0]

You never know how the race will play out on the day, but I love the intrigue created by the 2nd 3rd and 4th favs for this race now.

It certainly looks a tougher race than last year at this stage, but retrospectively could look weak as a kitten!

As previously stated I think ABP is too short, and that is exacerbated by the emergence of Champ over the weekend.

Enthralling race to look forward to.

A good weekend for bets placed post festival last year with the written off triumph enigma hosing up and the MIA RSA winner Champ emerging with real credit!

As someone posted in the related doubles thread - that RSA form could end up looking very good in three weeks time...

edit: (tigerollllll last one to flag it on the related doubles thread)

[archie]

Kemboy is still in the maybe Gold Cup, maybe Stayers, maybe Aintree category. As much as anything else it may depend on what drops out of each race in the next 3 weeks.

Of the main contenders, my view as it stands:

Al Boum Photo - no particular holes. Solid favourite.

Champ - promising run yesterday. However, Newbury is a much easier track than Cheltenham for getting a jumping rhythm and it's hard to see him being able to do his own thing in the Gold Cup.

A Plus Tard - only won the Savills because his rider broke the rules. Not guaranteed to stay the extra up the hill. Will Rachael ride him or Minella Indo?

Royal Pagaille - hard to assess. Anything from win to pulled up.

Santini - needs it bottomless but, even then, likely to find another mudlark better.

Minella Indo - disappointed this season but probably capable of better if jumping better.

Frodon - media darling but won't get his own way up front this time.

Native River - probably the one to ruin Frodon's day and finish in front of Santini. Decent place chance.

All in all, hard to see past Al Boum Photo. Royal Pagaille could be anything but is priced like he'd already won a string of G1s.

[Bluefox21]

Any thoughts on Vinndication?

My cliff horse!

[Can't Catch Me]

Any thoughts on Vinndication?

My cliff horse!

Think Bailey said he'd run him in the Stayers if he couldn't get a prep into him for the GC?

[Kautostar]

Kemboy is still in the maybe Gold Cup, maybe Stayers, maybe Aintree category. As much as anything else it may depend on what drops out of each race in the next 3 weeks.

Of the main contenders, my view as it stands:

Al Boum Photo - no particular holes. Solid favourite.

Champ - promising run yesterday. However, Newbury is a much easier track than Cheltenham for getting a jumping rhythm and it's hard to see him being able to do his own thing in the Gold Cup.

A Plus Tard - only won the Savills because his rider broke the rules. Not guaranteed to stay the extra up the hill. Will Rachael ride him or Minella Indo?

Royal Pagaille - hard to assess. Anything from win to pulled up.

Santini - needs it bottomless but, even then, likely to find another mudlark better.

Minella Indo - disappointed this season but probably capable of better if jumping better.

Frodon - media darling but won't get his own way up front this time.

Native River - probably the one to ruin Frodon's day and finish in front of Santini. Decent place chance.

All in all, hard to see past Al Boum Photo. Royal Pagaille could be anything but is priced like he'd already won a string of G1s.

Think you’re being a tad harsh on A Plus Tard there, looked to stay pretty well to me!

[Our_Duke]

Is it accepted that Nico rides Champ? I, and yes people do stop speaking to me for saying this, quite like Santini. Was gutted when he came 2nd last year. This year I'm willing to forgive his runs - Aintree was a Bumper, Kempton never suits him, Sandown a bit disappointing but I suspect they were easy in that race to ensure they didn't bottom him in heavy ground - and ill probably chance him on the day if the price is decent and the ground isn't lightning. However, he'll take some steering and cajoling and not sure if Coleman is my ideal choice for jockey for Santini.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Kemboy is still in the maybe Gold Cup, maybe Stayers, maybe Aintree category. As much as anything else it may depend on what drops out of each race in the next 3 weeks.

Of the main contenders, my view as it stands:

Al Boum Photo - no particular holes. Solid favourite.

Champ - promising run yesterday. However, Newbury is a much easier track than Cheltenham for getting a jumping rhythm and it's hard to see him being able to do his own thing in the Gold Cup.

A Plus Tard - only won the Savills because his rider broke the rules. Not guaranteed to stay the extra up the hill. Will Rachael ride him or Minella Indo?

Royal Pagaille - hard to assess. Anything from win to pulled up.

Santini - needs it bottomless but, even then, likely to find another mudlark better.

Minella Indo - disappointed this season but probably capable of better if jumping better.

Frodon - media darling but won't get his own way up front this time.

Native River - probably the one to ruin Frodon's day and finish in front of Santini. Decent place chance.

All in all, hard to see past Al Boum Photo. Royal Pagaille could be anything but is priced like he'd already won a string of G1s.

Santini did not need it bottomless when a neck 2nd to the all out winner last year.
APT looked like he would stay a bit further last time to me.
Agree re Min Indo and RP is indeed hard to judge, but is certainly very interesting.
Champ should be fit on the day, did not look too slow the other day and added to his ability to stay well should be a real challenger.
I personally don’t find it hard to see past ABP at all, for me there’s all those I mentioned could win.

[Kevloaf]

Is it accepted that Nico rides Champ? I, and yes people do stop speaking to me for saying this, quite like Santini. Was gutted when he came 2nd last year. This year I'm willing to forgive his runs - Aintree was a Bumper, Kempton never suits him, Sandown a bit disappointing but I suspect they were easy in that race to ensure they didn't bottom him in heavy ground - and ill probably chance him on the day if the price is decent and the ground isn't lightning. However, he'll take some steering and cajoling and not sure if Coleman is my ideal choice for jockey for Santini.

I think the writing is on the wall for that to be the case, yeah.

Coleman trying to play it cool might not suit him.... might get factored into the price. I can't work out if he'll be a drifer (clear second string).... or whether punters will on the day look at last year if he's an e/w price and back him because of it.

Extra places looks the best concession for him IMO.

[ComplyOrDie]

Any thoughts on Vinndication?

My cliff horse!

I backed him yesterday, but think he may go Stayers due to not having any sort of prep since his last run.

If he does turn up I do like him as an E/W shout though.

[Our_Duke]

I think the writing is on the wall for that to be the case, yeah.

Coleman trying to play it cool might not suit him.... might get factored into the price. I can't work out if he'll be a drifer (clear second string).... or whether punters will on the day look at last year if he's an e/w price and back him because of it.

Extra places looks the best concession for him IMO.

Yeah I'm not taking Santini ante post for this reason - Coleman nursing Santini round will be hideous to watch, not sure I can bear to watch my money away whilst he sits motionless! I do actually think Santini would have a good chance this year so it's frustrating - think the stats are awful for horses previously place in gold cups, but he ran brilliantly last year for a race that shouldn't have suited him.

[SeanRock]

Think you’re being a tad harsh on A Plus Tard there, looked to stay pretty well to me!

Agree with you on that KS!

Melon & Kemboy had kicked 10 lengths clear of the field turning for home & it was a very strong staying performance from APT to close that gap alone & go on to win. He’s my idea of the winner. Slight stamina worries on the sire side but the dams/dam sire hopefully balances that out!

[opatcho]

Any thoughts on Vinndication?

My cliff horse!

I've backed him

If Vinndication is fit and ready, I feel they have to run him this year.
Difficult to keep these animals, and next years renewal could be solid. Take the opportunity
I mean, the stayers race look more difficult to win tbh, on the basis that you have 2 strong contenders at the top of the market, and I dont have Vinndication as a top hurdler

The horse hasnt jumped a hurdle for 2 years...

Gold Cup or just wait for Aintree