General Chat

[Eggs]

Think I read yesterday that Davy Casey mentioned Cross Country course was under water in some parts, so the high water table is probably true. Anyway, a week without rain and a nice breeze should start to make them think about applying a bit of water to the main track. Usually get the dedicated weather watch page from the jockey club around now as they monitor it daily..

….i’m sure I read in Elliott’s stable tour that Galvin won’t run if it’s ‘very soft’, they’ll go straight to the GN. I think they really like the mark they have in the GN.

Edit; here it is;

We are working towards the cross-country chase with him. He ran very well the other day. He looks great. He had an interrupted preparation for the race last year and it was a rush to get him there, but his preparation this year has been smooth. He prefers better ground and if it came up very soft, we might not run him and keep him fresh for the Grand National.

[PresentingPercy]

Going update from clerk of the course

- Main track 'somewhere around soft' at the moment
- Last 2 days been first dry days they've had in a while
- unsettled forcast for next 7-10 days but nothing concerning about that
- Cross country course heavy in places

https://twitter.com/ASymondsJourno/status/1762506954860093928?s=19

[pody257]

Not sure if this is the right place but is it just me or do we have a lot of former 'Gold Cup horses' in other races this year?

Winner in '21, 2nd in '22, PU in '23- Minella Indo - Cross Country

3rd in '22, 5th in '23 - Protektorat - Ryanair/GC
4th in '22 - Galvin - Cross Country
PU in '22 - Chantry House - Pertemps

3rd in '23 - Conflated - Ryanair
4th in '23 - Noble Yeats - Cross Country / Stayers
7th in '23 - Eldorado Allen - Ultima
PU in '23 - Stattler - Cross Country
F in '23 - Ahoy Senor - Ryanair

Does anyone have any particularly strong fancies from that list?

[Istabraq]

Not sure if this is the right place but is it just me or do we have a lot of former 'Gold Cup horses' in other races this year?

Winner in '21, 2nd in '22, PU in '23- Minella Indo - Cross Country

3rd in '22, 5th in '23 - Protektorat - Ryanair/GC
4th in '22 - Galvin - Cross Country
PU in '22 - Chantry House - Pertemps

3rd in '23 - Conflated - Ryanair
4th in '23 - Noble Yeats - Cross Country / Stayers
7th in '23 - Eldorado Allen - Ultima
PU in '23 - Stattler - Cross Country
F in '23 - Ahoy Senor - Ryanair

Does anyone have any particularly strong fancies from that list?

The Cross Country itself is a minefield.
A race to swerve until decs I think, I can't believe M Indo, Galvin, Delta Work and Stattler all run and the market still has Conflated high on the list who won't go...

[TigerRolllllll]

Not sure if this is the right place but is it just me or do we have a lot of former 'Gold Cup horses' in other races this year?

Winner in '21, 2nd in '22, PU in '23- Minella Indo - Cross Country

3rd in '22, 5th in '23 - Protektorat - Ryanair/GC
4th in '22 - Galvin - Cross Country
PU in '22 - Chantry House - Pertemps

3rd in '23 - Conflated - Ryanair
4th in '23 - Noble Yeats - Cross Country / Stayers
7th in '23 - Eldorado Allen - Ultima
PU in '23 - Stattler - Cross Country
F in '23 - Ahoy Senor - Ryanair

Does anyone have any particularly strong fancies from that list?

Several could run well - tho Indo who has been trainedXC fences for years is prob most likely

I also like Protek ew

As a fan, I think it’s marvellous to see these horses all still running

And to all those who don’t like the XC …,are u mad? Horses love the fences and that in itself should be reason enough ….but I hope we get loads more GC heroes in the race …,just great to see them back and loving their racing

[Carnage at Taunton]

Several could run well - tho Indo who has been trainedXC fences for years is prob most likely

I also like Protek ew

As a fan, I think it’s marvellous to see these horses all still running

And to all those who don’t like the XC …,are u mad? Horses love the fences and that in itself should be reason enough ….but I hope we get loads more GC heroes in the race …,just great to see them back and loving their racing

I’m not a fan of the race but then I be am a bit mad!!
Good the horses enjoy it though.

[TigerRolllllll]

I’m not a fan of the race but then I be am a bit mad!!
Good the horses enjoy it though.

Trainers use XC to re-ignite passion in horses as sure u know…..even none XC ones often go.

It is odd to watch and this race is changing, but I’m for anything that enables us to see horses like Minella Indo run more

Ur not alone ….but guess my handle gives away a certain bias here

[Carnage at Taunton]

Trainers use XC to re-ignite passion in horses as sure u know…..even none XC ones often go.

It is odd to watch and this race is changing, but I’m for anything that enables us to see horses like Minella Indo run more

Ur not alone ….but guess my handle gives away a certain bias here

I can see the appeal with certain horses still having races to run in and enjoy, I just don’t particularly enjoy watching it.
Mind you, I always have a bet

[chunker86]

I couldn't be more against these Gold Cup horses running in the XC.

The beauty of the XC, Foxhunters etc are that they are races at the festival for the little guy - the small owner, small trainer who gets to have a go at winning on the big stage.

Now that Gordon, Henry etc are just interested in getting as many Festival winners as they can, they are finding anyway possible to get winners, including running horses that could still compete in a Gold Cup in the Cross Country instead.

They should change it back to a handicap, or add severe penalties for Graded winners within the last 3 years.

There's few enough Gold Cup quality horses as it is, they should be funnelled into running in the Gold Cup - there's no reason Galvin, Delta, Conflated, Minella Indo, Statler couldn't line up in a Gold Cup instead of the XC.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I couldn't be more against these Gold Cup horses running in the XC.

The beauty of the XC, Foxhunters etc are that they are races at the festival for the little guy - the small owner, small trainer who gets to have a go at winning on the big stage.

Now that Gordon, Henry etc are just interested in getting as many Festival winners as they can, they are finding anyway possible to get winners, including running horses that could still compete in a Gold Cup in the Cross Country instead.

They should change it back to a handicap, or add severe penalties for Graded winners within the last 3 years.

There's few enough Gold Cup quality horses as it is, they should be funnelled into running in the Gold Cup - there's no reason Galvin, Delta, Conflated, Minella Indo, Statler couldn't line up in a Gold Cup instead of the XC.

They could line up in the Gold Cup but would stand next to no chance of winning.
I do get your point about a handicap though.

[Istabraq]

I couldn't be more against these Gold Cup horses running in the XC.

The beauty of the XC, Foxhunters etc are that they are races at the festival for the little guy - the small owner, small trainer who gets to have a go at winning on the big stage.

Now that Gordon, Henry etc are just interested in getting as many Festival winners as they can, they are finding anyway possible to get winners, including running horses that could still compete in a Gold Cup in the Cross Country instead.

They should change it back to a handicap, or add severe penalties for Graded winners within the last 3 years.

There's few enough Gold Cup quality horses as it is, they should be funnelled into running in the Gold Cup - there's no reason Galvin, Delta, Conflated, Minella Indo, Statler couldn't line up in a Gold Cup instead of the XC.

I agree with this.
There is a modern day obsession with running horses to win weaker races, the concept of running well, in top races, for prestige on the biggest stage has been reduced.
Conflated and Galvin top 4 finishers last year in the Gold Cup, won't have regressed massively and capable of similar finishes yet end up in a cross country.
Personally I'm not a fan and yes you could be right, revert to a handicap and that might go away...

[FinalFurlong91]

Why not mix it up completely and combine the XC and hunter chase into one race

The XC hunter chase

And have 2 or 3 of them over the season so the hunter chasers get the opportunity to run at the october/november/december meetings and get some practice in over the obstacles

then put a veterans handicap chase on after the gold cup

I have no idea if that's a good or bad suggestion or not haha

[Fouroverthrutwo]

Why not mix it up completely and combine the XC and hunter chase into one race

The XC hunter chase

And have 2 or 3 of them over the season so the hunter chasers get the opportunity to run at the october/november/december meetings and get some practice in over the obstacles

then put a veterans handicap chase on after the gold cup

I have no idea if that's a good or bad suggestion or not haha

How about a horse triathlon instead?

[FinalFurlong91]

How about a horse triathlon instead?

The bike section would be key

A jockeys ability to get the horse onto the tandem absolutely vital

[Exar Essay]

The bike section would be key

A jockeys ability to get the horse onto the tandem absolutely vital

We could think on a modern triathlon and include Horse Speed Skating instead of Cycling to avoid difficulties with the bikes?