2025 Champion Chase

[Durham Edition]

Solness still being overlooked, mostly on the preview nights, IMO.

It seems to me that many just think he's a handicapper who has got lucky getting away from them on the front end, but need I remind you of a certain Flooring Porter, who was rated 105 at one point, before adopting front running tactics, and it took him all the way to winning two Stayers Hurdles.

I do think the change of tactics for Solness has made him a different, that and better ground, which almost looks a certainty currently.

He's beat Marine Nationale & Gaelic Warrior twice this season already, yet finds himself bigger in price still.

I agree and have him backed in the W/O market at 9/2. I can't see how the Irish can turn the form around and the better ground is a boost for him.

[Carnage at Taunton]

As a jockey he'll have half an eye on the future and Gaelic is fully 4 years Energumenes junior. Energumene has also had a full season off which must play a part in his thinking. He'll also not be forgetting how easily he put them away in last year's Arkle and the fact that that race has produced plenty of winners since. I'm not convinced he needs it deep. I reckon Cheltenham and the Festival itself just suits him and brings out the best in him. Of the two, it could actually be Energumene who will be more inconvenienced by ground conditions. All the above leads me to think he'll pick Gaelic and there's no way Energumene will be shorter than him in the betting if he does.

Well ok, you obviously know PT better than I do.

I will just go with the horse he’s ridden to two CC wins and the one whose looked best this season.

If Cheltenham festival brings out the best in GW I woukd have expected him to win the Juvenile B race, and not get thrashed in the Ballymore.
I also think he’s ground dependent at the top
level.
So we can just agree to disagree.

[Lobos]

We shouldn't forget that Energumene has already been thrashed by Jonbon this season on quicker ground whereas Gaelic and Jonbon are yet to meet. That will play a big part in Paul's selection.

[Carnage at Taunton]

We shouldn't forget that Energumene has already been thrashed by Jonbon this season on quicker ground whereas Gaelic and Jonbon are yet to meet. That will play a big part in Paul's selection.

Yes, and if he looks at the form book as you say, he will see the horse that J beat easily beat GW easily…..twice!!
GW was near on tailed off .
This race coming up will be taking no prisoners.

Just think he knows either horse will get beat unless it’s soft at best and it will be simple as picking the horse that’s given him two CChases.

[Istabraq]

We shouldn't forget that Energumene has already been thrashed by Jonbon this season on quicker ground whereas Gaelic and Jonbon are yet to meet. That will play a big part in Paul's selection.

Townend has won two Champion Chases on Energumene.
If I was creating a book who his mount will be on the day I'd be:
1/100 Energumene
25/1 Any other horse...

[Quevega]

Yes, and if he looks at the form book as you say, he will see the horse that J beat easily beat GW easily…..twice!!
GW was near on tailed off .
This race coming up will be taking no prisoners.

Just think he knows either horse will get beat unless it’s soft at best and it will be simple as picking the horse that’s given him two CChases.

Would you back Gaelic at 50-1 each way ?

[Quevega]

Townend has won two Champion Chases on Energumene.
If I was creating a book who his mount will be on the day I'd be:
1/100 Energumene
25/1 Any other horse...

I agree, I can totally see him picking Energumene and State Man.
Both tricky ones but obvious all the same.
Definitely think it'd be muggy to pick state though.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Would you back Gaelic at 50-1 each way ?

Yes of course.
They all have their price and I’m not stubborn!!
I could be wrong.
50 allows me to put a small amount on to make a profit I’m happy with, whilst not losing much, which I would think losing is likely at those odds.

[Quevega]

Yes of course.
They all have their price and I’m not stubborn!!
I could be wrong.
50 allows me to put a small amount on to make a profit I’m happy with, whilst not losing much, which I would think losing is likely at those odds.

Good man.
The 2 exclamation marks makes me doubt you a little bit.
We're all stubborn at times.
Just no where near as Lobos

[Rooster Booster]

Can I block a thread …it’s my own fucking fault

[Lobos]

Townend has won two Champion Chases on Energumene.
If I was creating a book who his mount will be on the day I'd be:
1/100 Energumene
25/1 Any other horse...

Can I have a pound on at 25's please Ista?

[Istabraq]

Can I have a pound on at 25's please Ista?

Min bet £100….

[ComplyOrDie]

I couldn't care less who Townend picks.

He'd be picking State Man for sentimental reasons, IMO, less so Energumene, as I think his performance behind Jonbon is better than what Gaelic Warrior has produced this season. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up behind one of the other Mullins runners on both State Man & Energumene in their respective races though.

We know he loves State Man, he's already admitted he's his favourite horse, he'll be on board him, for sure.

I remember when Ruby picked Getabird over Sharjah in the Supreme, both were dreadful in the end but Getabird was well behind Sharjah that day, this was sentimental, but proves they (jockeys) can and will get it wrong!

[Lobos]

Min bet £100….

Perfect !!!!!

[Lobos]

I couldn't care less who Townend picks.

He'd be picking State Man for sentimental reasons, IMO, less so Energumene, as I think his performance behind Jonbon is better than what Gaelic Warrior has produced this season. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up behind one of the other Mullins runners on both State Man & Energumene in their respective races though.

We know he loves State Man, he's already admitted he's his favourite horse, he'll be on board him, for sure.

I remember when Ruby picked Getabird over Sharjah in the Supreme, both were dreadful in the end but Getabird was well behind Sharjah that day, this was sentimental, but proves they (jockeys) can and will get it wrong!

I'm just ignoring his two Leopardstown runs as he detests the course. Just look what he did in the Arkle after looking a dead thing against F2F. Expecting the same again.