2023 Gold Cup

[opatcho]

A Plus Tard has been so consist, has a bunch of 1's and 2's next to his name, if he finished 2nd I'd be like... no an issue however, pulling up like that is a concern
hmmmmm would want more than 5/1 or 6/1
The bookies make me laugh, a novice horse wins a cr*p ran by a nose, goes from 33/1's into 2/1. Second fav run below par, pulls up, pushes them out by half a point

[Lobos]

Probably just ground. Gets very deep at Haydock

[Eggs]

…APT out to 12-1 with 365, Protektorat available at 14s with BV.

[RoadToCheltenham]

Henry called into the stewards after - assume ground will be the reason

[opatcho]

…APT out to 12-1 with 365, Protektorat available at 14s with BV.

thats more like it

[Craigy14]

His jumping was very poor and didn’t look comfy from the off imo.

[FinalFurlong91]

He's always been a pretty average jumper but he seemed to be really struggling to jump out of that ground today

Never looked comfortable

If they give him a full MOT and find nothing 12s will look a bit of an overreaction

[Rooster Booster]

He's always been a pretty average jumper but he seemed to be really struggling to jump out of that ground today

Never looked comfortable

If they give him a full MOT and find nothing 12s will look a bit of an overreaction

Another way of looking at it.....I am a firm believer that for the vast majority of horses grade one / two races eventually take their toll.

It’s brutally tough to keep up that level year after year. He and today’s winner have had a very similar number of lifetime runs but stress levels on each I would say had been fundamentally different.

I may have miscalculated but I counted 9 grade ones and a couple of grade 2s from his last 11 runs, including his first 3mile grade one chase when he was just a 5year old. On top of that he started his journey as a 3yo juvenile hurdler.

Hopefully he comes back to his brilliant best but recognising his back catalogue it wouldn’t be the greatest surprise if he cannot do this.

[FinalFurlong91]

Another way of looking at it.....I am a firm believer that for the vast majority of horses grade one / two races eventually take their toll.

It’s brutally tough to keep up that level year after year. He and today’s winner have had a very similar number of lifetime runs but stress levels on each I would say had been fundamentally different.

I may have miscalculated but I counted 9 grade ones and a couple of grade 2s from his last 11 runs, including his first 3mile grade one chase when he was just a 5year old. On top of that he started his journey as a 3yo juvenile hurdler.

Hopefully he comes back to his brilliant best but recognising his back catalogue it wouldn’t be the greatest surprise if he cannot do this.

It wouldn't be that much of a surprise

Not many horses make it to a 5th cheltenham festival still at their peak

The bookies know that hence why they dangled a big 12/1 carrot

I'd probably rather back him at half that after seeing him win the savills but can see the logic of giving it a go

[Exar Essay]

Henrys comments don’t fill you with confidence either.

"It was obviously too bad to be true. He was in mighty form coming over, but he looked laboured, didn't he? Maybe it was the ground but I don't want to give any excuse, it was just too bad to be true and that's it.”

"He seemed good coming in, but we'll scope him and check him and go through everything with him and see. It's very unlike him."

Its that “very unlike him” part which worries me.

[FinalFurlong91]

Henrys comments don’t fill you with confidence either.

"It was obviously too bad to be true. He was in mighty form coming over, but he looked laboured, didn't he? Maybe it was the ground but I don't want to give any excuse, it was just too bad to be true and that's it.”

"He seemed good coming in, but we'll scope him and check him and go through everything with him and see. It's very unlike him."

Its that “very unlike him” part which worries me.

It is very unlike him that's why he's been pushed out so violently

It's the only time in his career he's not finished in the first 3 home

[nortonscoin200]

What could this mean for Allaho?
Assuming he’s fit next March the Gold Cup must be more of a possibility than it was this morning- specially if GDC doesn’t live up to expectations when he reappears.

[ComplyOrDie]

I'm actually contemplating backing A Plus Tard for the Gold Cup. That drift is so inviting.

I allow every horse a bad run. He's been a model of consistency his career. I would imagine there was a reason for the performance today, and of course that reason could be season ending but I wouldn't take that as a given.

[FinalFurlong91]

What could this mean for Allaho?
Assuming he’s fit next March the Gold Cup must be more of a possibility than it was this morning- specially if GDC doesn’t live up to expectations when he reappears.

Has to be extremely unlikely after allahos setback

He likely won't be 100% in march now, him at 90% still wins the rysnair with ease. The gold cup he'd need to be the best he's ever been which now seems unlikely.

[Atlantic Viking]

Envoi Allen for one of the great comebacks of all time