Cheltenham 2023 - Early fancies

[Lbur4288]

Gaillard Du Mesnil - NHC - 16/1..

This was my first bet for next year at 20/1. I got a bit tetchy nearing the finish and he was travelling wonderfully but thankfully the bet remains intact. Always nice to see FJ types looking at the same angle.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Gaillard Du Mesnil - NHC - 16/1..

A must bet.

[Outlaw]

Gaillard Du Mesnil - NHC - 16/1..

Yeah auto bet with novice status intact, similarities with RWF placing in an IGN so bound to get trimmed over the coming months.

[darlojim]

Gaillard Du Mesnil - NHC - 16/1..

[Eggs]

Just watched the post race interview with Paul Townend and he said he thought Brandy love was good enough to
take on the Gelding's , but he also said there's a very good mares programme . so might stay in that sphere.
I guess that was before willie made his comments.

….notice Honeysuckle won this race a few years ago. Indeed, been some decent winners over the years.

As low as 7-1, best price 10-1 Mares Hurdle.

[BigChaang]

Did anyone hear any post race comments regarding Brandy Love and hurdling/chasing next year??

Just watched the post race interview with Paul Townend and he said he thought Brandy love was good enough to
take on the Gelding's , but he also said there's a very good mares programme . so might stay in that sphere.
I guess that was before willie made his comments.

[That Horse]

Where did you read/see this as he never mentioned possible retirement in the 6 minute interview that's been put on the racing TV youtube

The RP analysis mentions it - Willie wants to see what owner wants to do, keep racing or breed. Says the race today is prestigious for breeding but also started off the quote by saying he wants to get her back to going left handed. I read that as nothing has been decided, although it is a bit of a concern that retiring is even being mentioned.

I watched the owner speak on RTE after the win, I don't recall hearing him say anything of note. Henrietta Knight is something to do with his operation though as she's picked out the horses that he's bought.

[FinalFurlong91]

Willie said he will speak to the owners but may be retired now she's got the grade 1 win and start breeding from her.

Where did you read/see this as he never mentioned possible retirement in the 6 minute interview that's been put on the racing TV youtube

Edit

found the quote in an article on the timeform app

[DenmanSacre]

No you're absolutely right, my fault for not writing clearly. I mean to say that in my opinion that mid race lull if you could call it that won't happen next year with the likely options of front runners and I don't think APT will have that turn of foot left if it is run end to end. No doubt he was super impressive this year but I'd actually see a Statler being able to go that gallop and then being able to quicken again when asked whereas APT might not have the turbo left after the turn. Imo. But they'll both have to catch Ahoy first anyway..

Fair point. I do think if a horse tried to sustain that early pace they'd have fell in a hole, giving even more advantage to the hold up horses.

We could have an almighty Gold Cup next year if the novices train on
APT
Minella Indo
Protektorat (may have some improvement left in him only being 7 but I think he may be the gatekeeper type horse next year for the British on whether they will be good enough to even line up)
GDC
LHomme Presse
Ahoy Senor
Stattler
Monkfish (please let him come back from his injury with the same level of ability)
Conflated
My Drogo? (always been talked about as a Godly Cup horse)
Bob (if they improve his fencing and get him landing with speed)
Capodanno (still think he has a lot of improvement in him)

But they all need to improve to reach the level set by APT. He's a genuine 180+ horse and they don't come along very often.

[Monty's Pass]

What makes you think the Gold Cup was slowly ran?

Time wise, the Gold Cup was easily the fastest of the Friday and the time guys have it very close between A Plus Tard and Allaho for the best time figure of the meeting.

TImefigure wise it blows the 2021 GC out of the water.

You don't get a good time figure in a slowly run race. The GC was over 4 seconds quicker than standard. No other race on the Friday got near the standard time.

For what's it worth, they went off quick, slowed slightly mid race and A Plus Tard was the only one who could pick up and he picked up impressively.

No you're absolutely right, my fault for not writing clearly. I mean to say that in my opinion that mid race lull if you could call it that won't happen next year with the likely options of front runners and I don't think APT will have that turn of foot left if it is run end to end. No doubt he was super impressive this year but I'd actually see a Statler being able to go that gallop and then being able to quicken again when asked whereas APT might not have the turbo left after the turn. Imo. But they'll both have to catch Ahoy first anyway..

[Ice]

Is it just me or does Galopin des Champs remind anyone else of vautour ?

[DenmanSacre]

Good to finally hear Ruby state the Gold Cup is GDC's aim. APT won't have the same slowly run race next year with the likes of Ahoy Senor and GDC bowling along upfront. Will be a proper test and like the previous year APT might have to settle for a place as I don't think he could live with that coming round the turn.

What makes you think the Gold Cup was slowly ran?

Time wise, the Gold Cup was easily the fastest of the Friday and the time guys have it very close between A Plus Tard and Allaho for the best time figure of the meeting.

TImefigure wise it blows the 2021 GC out of the water.

You don't get a good time figure in a slowly run race. The GC was over 4 seconds quicker than standard. No other race on the Friday got near the standard time.

For what's it worth, they went off quick, slowed slightly mid race and A Plus Tard was the only one who could pick up and he picked up impressively.

[fitzy78]

I could honestly see GDC coming over to the king george! He`ll skip Leopardstown and the likes of APT Galvin etc and take on our average bunch. Then the festival target will be clearer, Although if he gets beat at Kempton is he at championship grade 1 level? Exciting times never the less

[Monty's Pass]

Good to finally hear Ruby state the Gold Cup is GDC's aim. APT won't have the same slowly run race next year with the likes of Ahoy Senor and GDC bowling along upfront. Will be a proper test and like the previous year APT might have to settle for a place as I don't think he could live with that coming round the turn.

[DenmanSacre]

really? hes just beaten master mcshee by 18L on the bridle compared to his 9L win last time, he's a superstar novice coming through.

He is a superstar novice but he needs to take the next step up to reach the level those two have shown.

A Plus Tard beat the best 3m horses by 15 lengths plus and is proven over the Gold Cup trip. Much better form than beating Master McShee yet GDC is joint fav or fav with most bookies.