[HistoricWarwick]

Although not relevant to Many Clouds, one of the biggest issues affecting horse injuries and fatalities now is how much shorter and softer fences are.

The fences at Kempton, Doncaster, Haydock and smaller courses are a joke these days. They are designed smaller and softer to reduce fallers whereas stiff fences (Cheltenham, old Haydock, old Wetherby, Uttoxeter, Sandown and Ascot teach a horse to jump. Modern day fences really just make a horse jump faster and lower and if they go through one they think they can go through any fence until they turn up at Cheltenham etc.

[silver surfer]

Yes, it was noticable with Thistlecrack that although thankfully he didn`t fall, his jumping was not nearly as good as on previous courses.

[HistoricWarwick]

silver surfer, on 30 January 2017 - 09:32 PM, said:

Yes, it was noticable with Thistlecrack that although thankfully he didn`t fall, his jumping was not nearly as good as on previous courses.

I don't like stables running novices in the GC. For every Coneygree there is a Gloria Victis.

[Comeonyouirons]

HistoricWarwick, on 31 January 2017 - 10:18 AM, said:

I don't like stables running novices in the GC. For every Coneygree there is a Gloria Victis.

Sad day that was

[Bonnyman]

HistoricWarwick, on 31 January 2017 - 10:18 AM, said:

I don't like stables running novices in the GC. For every Coneygree there is a Gloria Victis.

Captain christy was a novice , dorans pride ran third and dawn run was really a novice when she won.If a novice is good enough whats it mayter , they jump the same fences in the rsa

[spireitetoo]

Just been told its out of gold cup, injured
Out for season.

[HistoricWarwick]

vet45, on 16 February 2017 - 03:37 PM, said:

Captain christy was a novice , dorans pride ran third and dawn run was really a novice when she won.If a novice is good enough whats it mayter , they jump the same fences in the rsa

Just not a fan as they tend to lack the crucial ingredient of experience for something as unique as a GC - especially the distance.

Also technically RSA in run over nearly 3f shorter and on the old course whereas as GC is on the new course. Form on one doesn't naturally equate to the other - case in point Long Run who needed a galloping straight, something he lacked in the RSA but got one year later.

[Mr Mercury]

spireitetoo, on 21 February 2017 - 02:07 PM, said:

Just been told its out of gold cup, injured
Out for season.

Confirmed on SSN, slightly torn tendon. Could possibly have returned after Cheltenham but taking no chances hence out for the season.

[Comeonyouirons]

Mr Mercury, on 21 February 2017 - 03:28 PM, said:

Confirmed on SSN, slightly torn tendon. Could possibly have returned after Cheltenham but taking no chances hence out for the season.

NOT the best Gold Cup field of all time left

[Bonnyman]

I think cue card is an absolute shu in now.

[HistoricWarwick]

Comeonyouirons, on 21 February 2017 - 03:32 PM, said:

NOT the best Gold Cup field of all time left

Can't remember such a sub standard festival. None of last year's 5 champion races are running. Could be a bookies field day.

I can see Minella Rocco turning up in the GC at a price compared to Native River

[Bonnyman]

I wish altior would run in the champion chase, the form of his novice win at cheltenham is imo the best form ever at a cheltenham meeting....the biggest mystery is ivanovich gorbatchov winning as that form is dire.

[HistoricWarwick]

vet45, on 23 February 2017 - 10:11 PM, said:

I wish altior would run in the champion chase, the form of his novice win at cheltenham is imo the best form ever at a cheltenham meeting....the biggest mystery is ivanovich gorbatchov winning as that form is dire.

Can you see Altior beating Douvan?

If Mullins reckons it is potentially the best horse he has ever trained I m not sure I would take it on.

I am just wary of the position of the second last in the Arkle for Altior - they moved it to reduce fallers a few years ago (remember Latalomne) and I think it is more hazardous now as it is so close to the bend. Hopefully Nico will be 10 lengths clear by then...

[Bonnyman]

I have to find an angle , douvan is a monster but altior is also a monster, strangely douvan has been touted as potentially going furthur but altior is a 2 mile specialist according to henderson.If you go on times and assume the good to soft ground in both the supreme hurdles was the same altior was a second and a half quicker and beat champion hurdle horse, whereas douvan beat staying chasers in his supreme.I could see altior outpacing douvan up the hill.

[Mr Mercury]

Thistlecrack having a further scan on his tendon injury with one or two bookies reintroducing him to the Gold Cup betting!

[shaun1866]

Mr Mercury, on 27 February 2017 - 07:59 AM, said:

Thistlecrack having a further scan on his tendon injury with one or two bookies reintroducing him to the Gold Cup betting!

MMM smacks of a set up this