2025 Gold Cup

[Wayward Lad]

Still a couple of cards to play, that may influence decisions around where FTF ultimately goes..…and I think they are around two horses with profiles to suit the GC trip and not the Ryanair …..it maybe that there is not just one horse to fear in the GC for FTF

Next Wednesday Gerri looks to get his season back on track and let’s not forget, although he is the same age as Galopin, he started chasing a year later, so only has two years chasing experience……and he was only beaten 3 1/2 lengths last year in the GC

The other is Monty’s Star, who may or may not start his season next week……if both show well then the race may look to have more depth than just a one horse race at the moment

[Hurricane fly]

Monty's Star gets a lot of credit for a horse that has only won once over fences, on heavy, beating nobody relevant.

He wouldn't factor into my thinking at all.

[Runragged]

Let's just see FTF beat in the Gold Cup this season and get on him for the Ryanair the following year. Unless you prove you don't stay then the majority will at least have a pop in the Gold Cup for the first time before dropping down in trip, possibly via the King George.

[BuckingThe Trend]

My simple view. If they believe FTF is a Gold Cup winner then they should wait until 2026. He ain't beating Galopin Des Champs in March next year and how many horses win the Gold Cup after being beaten in it the year before. Ryanair winner 2025. Gold Cup winner 2026.

[jrjr]

Still a couple of cards to play, that may influence decisions around where FTF ultimately goes..…and I think they are around two horses with profiles to suit the GC trip and not the Ryanair …..it maybe that there is not just one horse to fear in the GC for FTF

Next Wednesday Gerri looks to get his season back on track and let’s not forget, although he is the same age as Galopin, he started chasing a year later, so only has two years chasing experience……and he was only beaten 3 1/2 lengths last year in the GC

The other is Monty’s Star, who may or may not start his season next week……if both show well then the race may look to have more depth than just a one horse race at the moment

Gordon said Gerri not running at Tramore, doesn’t feel he is ready.

[opatcho]

Let's just see FTF beat in the Gold Cup this season and get on him for the Ryanair the following year. Unless you prove you don't stay then the majority will at least have a pop in the Gold Cup for the first time before dropping down in trip, possibly via the King George.

I can see this happening

[Runragged]

My simple view. If they believe FTF is a Gold Cup winner then they should wait until 2026. He ain't beating Galopin Des Champs in March next year and how many horses win the Gold Cup after being beaten in it the year before. Ryanair winner 2025. Gold Cup winner 2026.

A Plus Tard and Native River from the last 10 years were both beat in the race before. I would also argue how many horses race in a different open race at Cheltenham first then go on to win the Gold Cup? Majority go for the Gold Cup at the first opportunity. Funnily enough, A Plus Tard is the last to do this, third in a Ryanair, before 2nd and then 1st in the Gold Cup. Prior to that then Don Cossack was the last in 2015 having gone for the Ryanair for owners and sponsors Gigginstown after they had Road To Riches pencilled in as their Gold Cup horse.

[Yosser]

Kevin Blake says that he thinks Banbridge would be aimed here if the ground is ok.

[Lobos]

Kevin Blake says that he thinks Banbridge would be aimed here if the ground is ok.

Wowsers, he knows what he's talking about that guy

[Carnage at Taunton]

Well he’s just won the King George in a style that suggests he should go for it.
As said, ground would have to suit.
Would need to improve a lot on last years run there though.
Hes not for me in a Gold Cup.

[That Horse]

Monty's Star beaten by Embassy Gardens at Tramore.

Galopin won't be quaking in his horse shoes anyway.

[Runragged]

Monty's Star beaten by Embassy Gardens at Tramore.

Galopin won't be quaking in his horse shoes anyway.

Probably not, but more than competent run today considering he probably needed the run, the winner is still relatively unexposed and loved conditions with an uncontested lead. Montys record first up in a season is pretty poor and does improve for the run. Out to 25/1, was hoping he may of been pushed out a bit more tempting me in for an e/w bet.

[Eggs]

….Mullins;

Embassy Gardens put himself in the Gold Cup picture with his win at Tramore, beating some good types and it looked effortless to me. He has been disappointing at Cheltenham before though, so we’ll see what direction we go with him.

[Istabraq]

….Mullins;

Embassy Gardens put himself in the Gold Cup picture with his win at Tramore, beating some good types and it looked effortless to me. He has been disappointing at Cheltenham before though, so we’ll see what direction we go with him.

Mullins been on the vino with Hendo ?
Time to give up if that horse can win a Gold Cup...

[Irish Rugby]

Like Monty's Star, another stayer staying on when the classy horses have given up. Connections would be delighted with a 2nd, 3rd or a 4th.