2023 Gold Cup

[Craigy14]

Prize money for XCC......


1st: ?39,022.00
2nd:
?17,940.00
3rd:
?8,970.00
4th:
?4,485.00
5th:
?2,242.00
6th:
?1,118.00

Prize money for Gold Cup......

1st:
?351,688.00
2nd:
?132,500.00
3rd:
?66,312.00
4th:
?33,125.00
5th:
?16,625.00
6th:
?8,312.00
7th:
?4,125.00
8th:
?2,125.00

Several reasons why Ronnie may favour sending Stattler and Galvin to the Gold Cup over the XCC.

Don't think he's ever had a runner in the XCC either ??

I don’t think prize money will play into it at all Lobos. Ronnie is a fairly big National Hunt owner, not shy of cash, so I would think he would be a lot happier having Cheltenham festival winners as an owner, than a bit extra cash in his pocket.

[charlie]

Isn't that prize money actually reason for him to go for the X Country. He'd likely be favourite there and have a serious chance of winning.

Finished 4th in last season Gold Cup and this year, at the moment at least, looks like being an even better renewal. Not much reason to think he'd better that.

Not that he needs the money like I do

I suspect for RB its all about Cheltenham winners and not money. If Stattler turns out being better than Galvin it would be daft IMO firing two bullets into what could be a super competitive Gold Cup when other races can be won elsewhere. Yes, Galvin beat APT once upon a time, but it's one piece of early season form against horses trained to peak in the Spring. His level is battling with Frodon at Down Royal and its hard not to think Gordon doesn't know that - he literally said as much yesterday. Throw Galvin in deep water and he tends to get battered. 100/30 in the Gold Cup, beaten 17L. 5/1 at Punchestown, beaten 24L - and conditions would have suited. He has to smash his rivals at DR in classy fashion to merit being a realistic part of the GC conversation on here IMO.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Galvin deserves another crack at the GC imo. Yes, he was well beaten (everything was) but he was only 2.5 lengths off 2nd and a shd off placing. He'll be 9 next year so it's probably his last chance at being competitive in the race.

The Cross County is obviously on GEs mind at some stage for him so a price for the 2024 renewal would actually interest me, even though its 18 months away

[BigChaang]

Galvin deserves another crack at the GC imo. Yes, he was well beaten (everything was) but he was only 2.5 lengths off 2nd and a shd off placing. He'll be 9 next year so it's probably his last chance at being competitive in the race.

The Cross County is obviously on GEs mind at some stage for him so a price for the 2024 renewal would actually interest me, even though its 18 months away

I agree with you here Faugheen , why not have another crack at the gold cup, and come back for the XC next year .
and i think the early prices for the XC will be hoovered up too.

[Lobos]

Galvin was thought of as more an Aintree GN type before his rapid improvement last season and his beating of Gold Cup winner APT in the Savilles. That forced their hand to go for the Gold Cup with him and after yesterday I can't see that changing. Stattler however is in a nice position. He's only on 158 which is just 4lbs above what Ronnie's Rathvinden got after winning the NHC and then going on to place in the National. It'll be interesting what Willie says in his Stable tours re Stattler and whether he does see him as an Aintree type. Ronnie is a very lucky man.

Just taken a quick look at the GN betting and Stattler is fav in several places.

[Lobos]

Galvin deserves another crack at the GC imo. Yes, he was well beaten (everything was) but he was only 2.5 lengths off 2nd and a shd off placing. He'll be 9 next year so it's probably his last chance at being competitive in the race.

The Cross County is obviously on GEs mind at some stage for him so a price for the 2024 renewal would actually interest me, even though its 18 months away

Spot on Machine. He's far too good for a XC at this stage. He looks to have improved again after yesterday's performance giving nearly a stone and a good beating to a decent type in Run For Free. Gordon only throws horses into the XC initially that have gone a little sour. Galvin is nowhere near that stage !

[Odin]

Gordon only throws horses into the XC initially that have gone a little sour.

This isn't true. Both Tiger Roll and Cause of Causes went to the XC and then Grand National off the back of festival wins.

If you're making the case that he's not gonna go there because they thought he was Grade 1 class and needs to go sour (a la Delta Work), that's fair enough but the statement didn't read like that to me.

FWIW I agree with others that his destination could be dictated by how good Stattler turns out to be

[Lobos]

It is true. Tiger first went XC code because he'd gone off the boil . Owner/Trainer comments have been posted on here before.

[Quevega]

It is true. Tiger first went XC code because he'd gone off the boil . Owner/Trainer comments have been posted on here before.

Not true though is it ?
The owners and trainer in question are hardly Mother Theresa level trustworthy are they ?
And even she was on the rob.

[archie]

Down Royal entries:

https://www.irishracing.com/racecards/Sat-5th-Nov-2022/Down-Royal/1432

[Exar Essay]

Down Royal entries:
https://www.irishracing.com/racecard...own-Royal/1432

Very useful, thanks Archie.

What happens when Delta Work bolts up beating Galvin by 8 lengths?

Interesting to see an entry from Bravemansgame. To be fair to Nicholls, he sent a couple to Ireland last year too (Frodon and Politologue)? Although Frodon did get beat up if and I think Politologue was withdrawn because of an injury.

[That Horse]

Very useful, thanks Archie.

What happens when Delta Work bolts up beating Galvin by 8 lengths?

Interesting to see an entry from Bravemansgame. To be fair to Nicholls, he sent a couple to Ireland last year too (Frodon and Politologue)? Although Frodon did get beat up if and I think Politologue was withdrawn because of an injury.

This will be the 4th year in a row Delta Work runs in this Down Royal race and he's finished out of the places all 3 times so far (did win at Down Royal in a beginners chase before that though) - seems to need the run when appearing there.

Would love to see BMG over but I'd imagine it'll be Frodon, who won the race last year.

[Big Bucks]

This will be the 4th year in a row Delta Work runs in this Down Royal race and he's finished out of the places all 3 times so far (did win at Down Royal in a beginners chase before that though) - seems to need the run when appearing there.

Would love to see BMG over but I'd imagine it'll be Frodon, who won the race last year.

Yeah would like to see BMG come over to us, but can't see it. Decent enough renewal though and looking forward to it. Hopefully majority of the rest stand their ground and also male it a worthwhile to have a punt On it!

[Hurricane fly]

Down Royal not mentioned by Nicholls who highlighted 3 potential starting points for BMG so imagine it's a token entry.

[Lobos]

Nicholls mentioned Intermediate Chase at Sandown or Charlie Hall as a KG prep for Bravemansgame.