2024 Gold Cup

[BagOfHammers]

16s e/w for the KG doesn’t seem too bad if you’re that way inclined when you look through the list I can’t see too many others that are going to even turn up

[Brooksie]

Anyone else like Gentlemansgame for this? I know they have Gerri, but I've always had the impression Mouse been keeping things light for this boy with the big one in mind. Charlie Hall entry is interesting and if he was to perform well 66s would look big. Heck if he won, we might start getting a few War of Attrition comparisons from MM.

Thrown a William Hill odds boost at him anyhow 132/1

[Kevloaf]

Anyone else like Gentlemansgame for this? I know they have Gerri, but I've always had the impression Mouse been keeping things light for this boy with the big one in mind. Charlie Hall entry is interesting and if he was to perform well 66s would look big. Heck if he won, we might start getting a few War of Attrition comparisons from MM.

Thrown a William Hill odds boost at him anyhow 132/1

I want to like it - but struggling a bit

Having never travelled to the UK before, the Charlie Hall declaration would make me take another look - but you'd probably get a bigger price on the day and then backing again for March

I'm wondering if I'd back him e/w at 132/1 now if that was on offer and I'm not sure anything in his form says he'd place. A 12L defeat (2nd) behind Galopin De Champs and a 3L defeat in a G1 Punchestown Stayers Hurdle I suppose aren't nice enough pieces of form at an absolutely wild price.

Beaten by Easy Game over fences isn't that exciting but Envoi Allen in behind that day... unexposed. Ah best of luck with it... let's see whether he goes G1 at Down Royal or G2 Charlie Hall

[Odin]

Anyone else like Gentlemansgame for this? I know they have Gerri, but I've always had the impression Mouse been keeping things light for this boy with the big one in mind. Charlie Hall entry is interesting and if he was to perform well 66s would look big. Heck if he won, we might start getting a few War of Attrition comparisons from MM.

Thrown a William Hill odds boost at him anyhow 132/1

Yeah, I backed him after the Easy Game race not realising he got 5lbs that day, but he's on the team for half a point ew at 66s. Realistically, I can't see him winning but he's a horse they always seem to have loved as you say and the way he was backed off the boards over a trip too short last time suggests they aren't just looking for a handicap mark with him. I think the CH entry is only because Wexford wasn't suitable and it seems like the plan might now be for GC to go Down Royal. For right or wrong, I'd back him against anything in the Charlie Hall except Bravemansgame so I'm hoping he turns up there and gives a good account of himself so the 66s looks very big as you say. Good luck with the 132/1 - a bit jealous I don't have access to that!

[Eggs]

Anyone else like Gentlemansgame for this? I know they have Gerri, but I've always had the impression Mouse been keeping things light for this boy with the big one in mind. Charlie Hall entry is interesting and if he was to perform well 66s would look big. Heck if he won, we might start getting a few War of Attrition comparisons from MM.

Thrown a William Hill odds boost at him anyhow 132/1

….ha, ha, if you look at post #2, I gave him a shout as soon as I opened this thread. I remember the Robcour interview from this time last year and they clearly liked him. I’ve had a little interest but I’ve no idea what plans are.

[nortonscoin200]

Anyone else like Gentlemansgame for this? I know they have Gerri, but I've always had the impression Mouse been keeping things light for this boy with the big one in mind. Charlie Hall entry is interesting and if he was to perform well 66s would look big. Heck if he won, we might start getting a few War of Attrition comparisons from MM.

Thrown a William Hill odds boost at him anyhow 132/1

Love the bet Brooksie but can’t help thinking he’d have a better chance in the Grand National off his current mark.

Trainer says he loves good ground which Aintree usually serves up.

Trouble is the National doesn’t seem to be the plan right now and another good run during the winter would blow his mark.

Currently 40-1 for the GN.

[Brooksie]

….ha, ha, if you look at post #2, I gave him a shout as soon as I opened this thread. I remember the Robcour interview from this time last year and they clearly liked him. I’ve had a little interest but I’ve no idea what plans are.

Apologies Eggs, I'm lazy as hell! GC thread only has 6 pages as well, no excuses there lol. I like where your heads at

Having never travelled to the UK before, the Charlie Hall declaration would make me take another look - but you'd probably get a bigger price on the day and then backing again for March

Yep Kev, that would be a concern not having travelled over yet, coming over to the UK early to test those waters would be a smart move if they are serious about bringing him over in March.

Yeah, I backed him after the Easy Game race not realising he got 5lbs that day, but he's on the team for half a point ew at 66s.

At first glance getting beat by Easy Game looks a bit meh, but in fairness Easy Game has a brilliant record at Gowran and the trip is his speciality. Was nice to see Dancing on My Own frank his summer form last weekend, gives the form a bit of a boost. Having Envoi well held in 3rd as Kev mentioned doesn't read too bad either. Not fooling myself though that form isn't good enough to win a gold cup, but it was never going to be, it was a day out to get some experience jumping fences over a trip too short. Hope he does come over for the Charlie Hall, at least we'll know our fate early in the season As Norton mentioned could easily be discussing him for Nationals by next week lol.

[Odin]

Brooksie

I'm so impressed with you quoting from three separate sources there while I struggle to get tagging two people in the same post working!

Also agree re the Easy Game form, it's not terrible at all and the way he was backed through the day for his seasonal reappearance was eye catching to say the least. Fingers crossed we get a nice early run to keep our money going at Wetherby/Down Royal

[Runragged]

Anyone else like Gentlemansgame for this? I know they have Gerri, but I've always had the impression Mouse been keeping things light for this boy with the big one in mind. Charlie Hall entry is interesting and if he was to perform well 66s would look big. Heck if he won, we might start getting a few War of Attrition comparisons from MM.

Thrown a William Hill odds boost at him anyhow 132/1

Can't criticise anyone for a 66/1 on a horse with unfulfilled potential. However, he's had just two chase runs and those have come over the last year and a half so would want to see at least a few runs to ensure he is fit and can take his racing. If he runs as sparingly he could turn up with just 4 runs to his name. That's quite brave being chucked into a Gold Cup. If we get down to the 'nitty gritty' of him then he has yet to win at graded level let alone be talked about as a Gold Cup horse. If they have any sense then he is still young enough to have a confidence boosting season, get a couple of wins under his belt but more likely bypass Cheltenham altogether. There are enough 3m graded races over a season to pick up experience and prize money.

[DenmanSacre]

Bravemansgame to run in the Charlie Hall due to the prospect of soft ground at Haydock. 2 of the leading GC contenders out this weekend.

[Rooster Booster]

Can't criticise anyone for a 66/1 on a horse with unfulfilled potential. However, he's had just two chase runs and those have come over the last year and a half so would want to see at least a few runs to ensure he is fit and can take his racing. If he runs as sparingly he could turn up with just 4 runs to his name. That's quite brave being chucked into a Gold Cup. If we get down to the 'nitty gritty' of him then he has yet to win at graded level let alone be talked about as a Gold Cup horse. If they have any sense then he is still young enough to have a confidence boosting season, get a couple of wins under his belt but more likely bypass Cheltenham altogether. There are enough 3m graded races over a season to pick up experience and prize money.

Coneygree won after only 3 chase runs and half the number of hurdle runs gentlemansgame has had.

[Rooster Booster]

Tried to edit ….previous post should say after only 3 chase runs GC was his fourth

[AaronLad]

I absolutely love shishkin for the gold cup. I know he's not going to be everyone's cup of tea but he really does have a lot to like about him.
His first try over 3m+ at aintree, only beating ahoy senor a length and half people will say isn't gold cup winning form. However at the aintree festival the previous 2 seasons ahoy senor produced a 155 rpr in a novice hurdle and a 166 rpr in a novice chase beating the following seasons gold cup runner up (bravemansgame)by 30 lengths, both were impressive performances.
The way in which shishkin stayed on and produced a race winning jump at the final fence really impressed me.

Shishkin had an interrupted campaign last season, starting out over 2miles in the tingle creek clearly taken off his feet nowadays in top level 2mile races.
He then had wind surgery before re-appearing in the grade 1 ascot chase over 2m5f, producing a scintillating performance, demolishing pic d'ohry and fakir d'oudairies.
He was a little disappointing in the ryanair but still managed 2nd place staying on well. I think this performance can be excused and be a consequence of the wind surgery and his performance in that comeback at ascot, maybe cheltenham just came a little soon.

This season he's going to have a campaign fully focused on staying chases, firstly the betfair chase at haydock (hopefully) and then what nicky henderson has callled "our main objective" the king george at kempton. A track at which shishkin is unbeaten in 4 runs, 3 of which were chases he won by a combined 46 lengths. I think he's a banker for the king george this year, even if galopin takes up that entry.

I understand the doubts that will suraface regards his age, he will be 10 if he lines up in the 2024 gold cup but i am of the belief top class racehorses that need a bit further in time and haven't spent a career over 3miles still have the mileage left in the tank.
Don cossack, sholokhovs gold cup winner, was winning his gold cup in his 27th race under rules at the age of 9.
shishkin has had 17 races under rules, only 3 of them have been 2m4f+,
don cossack was having his 20th 2m4f+ race in his gold cup.

I think he's being hugely underestimated and by the end of boxing day could well be favourite for the gold cup.

[opatcho]

Liking it Aaron!

Shishkin, been a fan of the horse since he won the supreme. Up and down for the horse. Clearly has ability and always demonstrated staying abilities

for me, think they switch too late

Shishkin first time out is my play this season, I do think he’ll win a race…. and I would back him for the Betfair chase if he turns up. The Rat looked impressive here last year but A Plus Tard wasn’t right and the others aren’t all that great

My concern with shiskin is I think he’s a horse may be hard on himself on a going day. Just not sure whether he’ll be able to run 2-3 Grade 1’s over this distance and recover/remain fit for it

he’s going to be a interesting horse to follow this season over 3 miles, but he’s going to bump into the likes of BMG in the KG and then GDC and, another horse I like, fastorslow in the gold cup which is a step up

[BagOfHammers]

Liking it Aaron!

Shishkin, been a fan of the horse since he won the supreme. Up and down for the horse. Clearly has ability and always demonstrated staying abilities

for me, think they switch too late

Shishkin first time out is my play this season, I do think he’ll win a race…. and I would back him for the Betfair chase if he turns up. The Rat looked impressive here last year but A Plus Tard wasn’t right and the others aren’t all that great

My concern with shiskin is I think he’s a horse may be hard on himself on a going day. Just not sure whether he’ll be able to run 2-3 Grade 1’s over this distance and recover/remain fit for it

he’s going to be a interesting horse to follow this season over 3 miles, but he’s going to bump into the likes of BMG in the KG and then GDC and, another horse I like, fastorslow in the gold cup which is a step up

I did mention on here he was available at 8/1 for the Betfair Chase after Nicky had said that was the plan so took a bit of that. 5/1 still seems fair to be honest I know with Nicky he often uses any excuse not to run them and the ground could be bottomless but he said ‘The ground at Haydock does frighten you a little bit, but we have got to go there, as he is not entered in the Charlie Hall and you have either that or the Betfair Chase before the King George.’