June ‘23; The Roger ‘Diamond Geezer’ Hunter Yankee

[Eggs]

….any preference for GDC or El Fab. Both are a best price 2-1?

[Black Dog]

….any preference for GDC or El Fab. Both are a best price 2-1?

I see the Champion Chase as a 3 horse race so 2/1 is about right I think. The Gold Cup looks more open now GDC has lost his air of invincibility so 2/1 is a bit tight imo. Arkle winners following up in the CC are a lot more common than multiple GC winners as well so all things considered....

[callhimgamblor]

Agree with El Fab > GDC as a returning champ nod.

If we are going returning champ you have to ha e EA in there for the Ryanair at 10/1 IMO.

If we are anything goes then Lecky Watson (AB @ 25/1) as above and/or worth getting Aurora Vega onside early. Assuming MNH? @ 16/1

[Eggs]

Agree with El Fab > GDC as a returning champ nod.

If we are going returning champ you have to ha e EA in there for the Ryanair at 10/1 IMO.

If we are anything goes then Lecky Watson (AB @ 25/1) as above and/or worth getting Aurora Vega onside early. Assuming MNH? @ 16/1

….I recall Lobos also being keen on EA. I think the Ryanair looks difficult to crack, with the likes of Stage Star and Banbridge in the mix but if we’re talking about returning winners, then Impervious and Envoi seem the most popular.

Envoi v Impervious (Stage Star)?

[Lobos]

I'd have Envoi/Stage Star over Impervious for Ryanair as the last named is far from certain to go for that race whereas the first two look nailed on for it. Both are bigger prices too which is a bonus. EA was an easy winner this year and the mid trip is absolutely perfect for him the way he travels/runs. Triple Festival winner as well which is an incredible stat.

[HesTheOne]

I'd have Envoi/Stage Star over Impervious for Ryanair as the last named is far from certain to go for that race whereas the first two look nailed on for it. Both are bigger prices too which is a bonus. EA was an easy winner this year and the mid trip is absolutely perfect for him the way he travels/runs. Triple Festival winner as well which is an incredible stat.

Hard to knock any of the above the only slight negative is of course the age.10 year old mark when he turns out next year. His winning RPR this year is the 2nd lowest of the last 10 years same applies to OR. Albeit the rest of the market is hard to analyse you'd assume he is more likely not to improve his rating again.. and more likely to stay the same if not retract in the opposite direction with his age.

Worthy observation from GStats before this years festival

this century 196 horses aged 10 and older have contested grade 1s at the festival and 191 of those were beaten..

10+ winners
Champion Chase: Special Tiara, Sprinter Sacre, Moscow Flyer
Ryanair: Our Vic, Albertas Run

So not to say its an impossible feat for EV to win the Ryanair again but certainly the trends and ratings are indeed against it happening....

[Lobos]

The age thing will trouble some but encouraged that that stat has been broken by two previous Ryanair winners. It's never the classiest of races which clearly helps and Envoi is definitely one of the classiest runners to have won the race. Rach could have pushed the button on him earlier and won the race by a bigger margin so I'm not bothered re the RPR he was given for his win.

[callhimgamblor]

Off the back of the CH thread I'll put up MN in the arkle at 4/1 for the returning champ Yankee.

[Lobos]

Off the back of the CH thread I'll put up MN in the arkle at 4/1 for the returning champ Yankee.

But still two options for him , Arkle or Champion Hurdle, until we know where C Hill goes. It's risky.

[callhimgamblor]

But still two options for him , Arkle or Champion Hurdle, until we know where C Hill goes. It's risky.

I suppose the argument is that connections were dead set on him going arkle 2024, albeit in the heat of the moment straight after the Supreme. On top of that you have circumstantial evidence that CH is staying hurdling so, yes, risky, but perhaps not so risky as to miss the opportunity.

[Lobos]

No evidence whatsoever that CH stays Hurdling. That's the issue that I and everyone else has to live with for the next 3 months. Big risk IMO. It can be worked around but at a cost.

[callhimgamblor]

Back to the yankee I think.... :-)

The Real Whacker at 20/1 for the GC is a no brainer. Evidently loves it around Cheltenham.
Same goes for Envoi Allen in the Ryanair.

Personally I would go IEP Turners and MN Arkle as the other two so there you are... :-)

The Real Whacker - Gold Cup 20/1
Envoi Allen - Ryanair 10/1
Impaire Et Passe - Turners 5/1
Marine National - Arkle 4/1

[BagOfHammers]

If it’s a returning champs Yankee my choices would be
El Fabiolo CC
Maskada Mares Chase
Envoi Allen Ryanair
Premier Magic Hunters

Variation of prices there I think but solid enough targets in the main

[Kautostar]

El fab - qmcc
Marine nationale - Arkle
impaire et passe - turners

My picks for what it’s worth - I’d take a punt on the two novices before their odds collapse. Less keen on premier magic due to the lack of bookies pricing that race up for those of us with restrictions.

[BigChaang]

El Fabiolo - ch. chs ., Stage Star - ryanair chs. , The real Whacker - gold cup ., Premier magic - hunter chase ..
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Theses are my suggestions , although i wouldn't be against having Fastorslow in place of T.R.W.
as the recent conqueror of Galopin ..