2025 Gold Cup

[That Horse]

The DRF will answer your question COD. I actually believe we'll see a different F2F there and that the Ryanair talk will well and truly be put to bed.

What do you see that'll be different, a win or just a length between him and GdC?

Will be interesting to see F2F's tactics this time. He's clearly a good horse but there's nothing yet to suggest he's on the same level over 3 miles as he was in the John Durkan. Nothing else has come out of last year's BANC either and wowser'ed us.

I think it's a toss up and probably depends on JP's mood at the time a decision is made and/or if GdC has fitness issues.

[Lobos]

Different tactics for sure. He'll either be given his head and take them along or be routed right at the back. Can't decide what they'll do of the two. I'd favour the former. Just feel he's a better horse than we saw last time and may surprise a few people.

[darlojim]

Different tactics for sure. He'll either be given his head and take them along or be routed right at the back. Can't decide what they'll do of the two. I'd favour the former. Just feel he's a better horse than we saw last time and may surprise a few people.

There's only 1 option in my mind, he has to take him on early.

Sitting out the back is going to make it worse, theres no chance he'll make the ground back up against Galopin

And, taking galopin on from an early stage I'm sure Willie doesn't want, and will instruct the jockeys to not kill themselves and leave their festival chances at the DRF.

[Leman14]

Agreed - they have to try something different.
(A bit like Impaire Et Passe against State Man last year - that didn't work - but at least they confirmed that they couldn't beat him, however they ran)

the only caveat, is that I remember Ruby saying on R2C that F2F was buzzy and not himself prior to the run at Xmas, yet still got closest to GDC.

If F2F is calmer - do they try the same/similar tactics again?

[Garrison Savannah]

Shouldn’t be afraid of one horse. If he’s within 5 lengths of GDC (or of course if he beats him at DRF), FTF should go Gold Cup.

It’s always possible GDC has an off day, hits a fence, gets brought down by etc. If you know you’re the 2nd best horse in the race, no way should you be re-routed.

[EnvoiAlien]

Has raced prominently twice in his career, both times got beaten, I understand throwing around ideas on what to do different, but being up with the pace isn't something he enjoys, I'd just keep him switched off out the back but put him into the race sooner.

[Kevloaf]

Backing Galopin Des Champs at the DRF with F2F NRNB for the Ryanair is how I'd play it, if I was desperate to have F2F in the Ryanair

I'd lean towards just hoping they don't do it and not giving a fuck about making money off the race in that case

The BANC winner, scared of 1 horse .... games completely gone if he ends up there

As if Corbett's Cross is anywhere fucking near being a replacement for a Gold Cup




JP McManus will do the right thing, even if he's beaten again.... Gold Cup 100% or he's a wimp

[Runragged]

Shouldn’t be afraid of one horse. If he’s within 5 lengths of GDC (or of course if he beats him at DRF), FTF should go Gold Cup.

It’s always possible GDC has an off day, hits a fence, gets brought down by etc. If you know you’re the 2nd best horse in the race, no way should you be re-routed.

This is the exact issue. There could be a strong chance that the 2nd best 3 miler isn't going for the Gold Cup. If every horse beat more than 5 lengths by GDC didn't turn up then we wouldn't have a race. What can you do though?

[Garrison Savannah]

This is the exact issue. There could be a strong chance that the 2nd best 3 miler isn't going for the Gold Cup. If every horse beat more than 5 lengths by GDC didn't turn up then we wouldn't have a race. What can you do though?

Get rid of the fucking Ryanair is what you can do!

[Lobos]

No Gold Cup for Grey Dawning. Aintree next.

[Kevloaf]

No Gold Cup for Grey Dawning. Aintree next.

Haven't seen that, what's the source?

Disappointing for the race!

[ComplyOrDie]

Haven't seen that, what's the source?

Disappointing for the race!

I can't remember where but heard Dan Skelton was thinking of skipping the festival too. Might have been Lydia or someone like that that mentioned it.

[Ballybeen]

Yep he’s named a race at Kelso then Aintree for Grey Dawning.

[Ballybeen]

https://x.com/mcyeeehaaa/status/1883166773220155781?s=46

[Kevloaf]

Cheers

Very disappointing decision though

Surely the Turners winner should be in the Ryanair at very least?

Good riddance to that race, shows how fucking pointless the Ryanair is as well

ComplyOrDie will bite