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Spillanes Tower - no course form, no festival form, not even run outside of Ireland yet - couldn't be touching him for a Gold Cup myself
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Have to say I found it a little strange all the chat about Fact To File (FTF) and staying the Gold Cup trip yesterday.
For a start he has the all important course form, second in the champion bumper and then winning the BANC, on the old course over 3m1/2f. I understand the make up of the 2 courses lends to the new course requiring more stamina but the trip is the trip. Apparently Ruby had made comment about FTF running low on fuel that day, was that his opinion or was it through connections. Remember that was his first season over obstacles, he’s had another summer to strengthen etc I see no reason why he wouldn’t stay the trip. Using the weekends race and that distance to compare him to not staying doesn’t make any sense, were we not in this exact same position 3 years ago with Galopin Des Champs? Showed so much speed over the mid trip in the exact same race as FTF, the debate of will he stay rumbled on even over Xmas and even post DRF. Truly you don’t know as there are no Grade 1 chases over 3m2f prior to the Gold Cup. Given he won over 3m at Cheltenham I’d say there is more evidence to FTF staying the trip than we did about Galopin staying the trip and look how that turned out.
The Savills chase at Xmas should be an absolute cracker anyway and the win today prices will be tempting to get onside.Comment
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With FTF,or indeed any horse that’s quiet short price,I think it’s natural to look closely before backing.
Watching him in his races I can see why people are a bit concerned about him staying the extra well enough, especially up against a two time winner whose shown no sign of regressing.
He may well do, but imo his price is now too short to find out.
As said before, his form is pretty close to STower through Monty’s Star, and indeed the other day although over inadequate trip.
And he’s 12/1.
He has to prove he stays as well, but he’s a price that imo some will take to find out.
Never been one to bother that much about them not running at Cheltenham before. Think I’m talking myself into a wager!!
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Plan's can and will change, but just fyi trainer quotes post Durkan suggested Gold Cup wasn't currently in thoughts for Spillane's...Originally posted by Carnage at Taunton View Post
Jimmy Mangan, trainer of the runner-up Spillane’s Tower, said: “I’m absolutely over the moon, delighted with him. He hasn’t been on grass since he won here at the Festival.
You couldn’t really because the ground has been so firm. There is everything to look forward to but don’t ask me where he will run next as I couldn’t tell you.
He has options between two and a half miles and three miles and last year’s novice form is working out well.
It was a great race and you had the best of horses and the best of jockeys.”
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Thanks Odin, much appreciatedOriginally posted by Odin View Post
Will hold off for now and keep an eye on developments
Cheers
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Originally posted by Wayward Lad View Post
It’s difficult enough with Willie Mullins Bingo each year, but now we have JP Bingo, as this season he has a fair few quality staying chasers and we know he loves Cheltenham so there’s a good chance all will run at the festival? ..…just need to decide which race !
FTF
Corbetts Cross
Spillanes Tower
I Am Maximus
Inothewayyourthinkin
Just to move this conversation from the Novice Chase thread to the Gold Cup one, but I like playing this type of bingo
so here are my thoughts:
FTF - Savills (loses) > potentially Irish Gold Cup (loses)/Thurles Grade 2 near end of Jan (wins) > Ryanair - The 'Allaho' route
Corbetts Cross - King George (win?) > Irish Gold Cup? > Gold Cup
Spillanes Tower - No idea > May be held back for Punchestown again
I Am Maximus - Savills? > Gold Cup > GN
Inothewayurthinkin - No idea > Gold Cup (if good enough!)Last edited by ComplyOrDie; 27 November 2024, 09:22 AM.Comment
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FTF........Gold Cup all day long
Corbetts Cross........ Ryanair
Spillanes Tower........Gold Cup
I Am Maximus......Misses Festival.... Bobby Joe then GN
Inothewayyourthinkin........ possibly GC prep for GN
Iroko ??????Comment
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[QUOTE=Lobos;n475501]FTF........Gold Cup all day long
Corbetts Cross........ Ryanair
Spillanes Tower........Gold Cup
I Am Maximus......Misses Festival.... Bobby Joe then GN
Inothewayyourthinkin........ possibly GC prep for GN
Iroko ??????[/QUOTE
Thought Iroko ran a lovely first race of the season at the weekend, good round of jumping. GN target hopefully, although not sure the road to get there
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Other snippets on Il Etait temps and gaelic in that article also.
Basically, Gaelic likely out at xmas over 2 miles then dublin then cheltenham (CC)
IET got an infection and likely not seen till Dublin.Comment
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I was going to start a KG thread, but it’s near impossible to have a strong say this far out given the chances of the likely winner being suppliement (looks weak based on who’s declared so far)Originally posted by Quevega View PostComment
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There's one already on the national hunt racing thread.Originally posted by opatcho View PostComment
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lol I’ll take a look but have to be a brave man to nail a AP selection at this stageOriginally posted by Ice View PostComment
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Galopin at 4/1Originally posted by Kevloaf View Post
Dual winner and is only 8.
So still has one more big shot at the race in him for me.
I actually think if Willie took a lighter campaign with him for the past 2 seasons (Al Boum Photo Tramore) then i’d be even more confident.
7 runs over 3m+, which will likely be 9 by the time he lines up in March.
Best Mate had 5 before going into his 3rd Gold Cup, Al Boum Photo the same.
Age isn’t always the issue, more so the mileage on the clock over staying trips.
But i absolutely applaud connections for not doing so and going to all the big races. Racing needs that.
Easy to forget just how good his Savills win last Christmas was.
One of the great staying chase performances.
Had the field cooked 2 out and won by 23 lengths.
Has nothing to prove and if he could repeat his very best form, probably impossible to beat.
Fact to File of course could be a monster.
More often than not novices stepping up into open company tend to build their way up through the season to take on the established horses, or at least wait until 2nd or 3rd runs. Off the top of my head I can’t think of a horse who had a tougher seasonal debut to what Fact to File was up against, notably with Galopin des Champs and Fastorslow. A huge performance. Even more so given it came after only 4 runs over obstacles prior. Compare that to:
Galopin 19 runs over obstacles prior
Spillanes Tower 12
Fastorslow 16
Minella Cocooner 12
Massive. And could easily and likely should improve again.
Already 11/4 best price, not much juice in the price for me, with Leopardstown awaiting.
I do think Montys Star at 20/1 is well worth taking though, for anyone who backs several in a race.
Comparisons with Minella Indo will be there rightly and wrongly. Though very much worth pointing out the Minella Indo was a two time grade 1 winner over hurdles.
But I do like him, has novice chase form that stacks up well, albeit in defeat. He wasn’t too far behind the best last season.
I’d have liked to have seen them press on early this season and gain experience though (ironically like Minella Indo who had ran twice by this stage of the season)
20/1 a fair price.Comment
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