Coneygree is on the mend
Coneygree is on the mend
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
We all know what's gonna happen!
Lovely rain and lovely soft ground and Djakadam hoses in!
All comers, all grounds, all beaten!
This perfect mix of poetry and destruction.
Back jumping a few obstacles now
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
From RP
THERE is no reason why Coneygree cannot return to the form that last year helped him become the first novice since Captain Christy in 1974 to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, according to connections.
The strapping nine-year-old has a shiny, new all-weather gallop to help get him fit for his return to action but when that will be remains unclear as trainer Mark Bradstock and his wife Sara will be guided by the weather.
Options include the £100,000 bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on October 29 or Haydock's Betfair Chase three weeks later.
The Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 26 is another potential target for the popular star whose campaign last term was derailed by a hock injury.
Absent since a smooth win in a Listed chase at Sandown in November, Coneygree is 14-1 with Sky Bet and Paddy Power to regain the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, which is his ultimate aim.
"He's started to swing along and he's in very good nick," Sara Bradstock said. "The vets are delighted with the healing and there's no arthritic change in any of the places he had the little bony defects.
"Fingers firmly crossed, but everything seems to be absolutely fine at the moment and we're aiming to have him ready for when the ground is good to soft or softer.
"He's doing everything very pleasingly. He feels great and seems to have retained the old engine. He's nowhere near fit and I haven't let the handbrake off, but everything he does makes me think he's the same horse."
Conditions to dictate plans
Discussing plans for Coneygree, Bradstock stressed the need for rain to help put the finishing touches to the son of Karinga Bay, although the horse's core fitness has been helped by the installation of a new all-weather gallop near their Letcombe Bassett base on the outskirts of Lambourn.
She added: "There's the Charlie Hall, the race at Haydock and then the Hennessy. Obviously you'd rather not go to the Hennessy first time out, but we'll be guided by the ground.
"Sometimes it stays dry all through September and you need a lot of rain to get into the ground. Even now we're getting bits and bobs of rain and everything is like concrete.
"The great excitement is we have a new, state-of-the-art all-weather gallop, which is very helpful and Max [Coneygree] loves it - he's doing all of his work on it. It's broken the bank, but we're hoping he can pay for it!
"It's the same length - a mile with a good pull - as the woodchip one the captain [Tim Forster] put in, but that decayed over the years.
"Having had an injury he wouldn't run until we can get him on the grass, but he can do everything until his last few gallops on it, so it's a real help."
Really enamoured with Coneygree. Love his style and he has a great story
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
For sure Granger; the only pity being The Noble Lord Oaksey was not around to witness it.
I just read the Cool Dawn story and that is in it's own way fascinating as were the Captain Christy , Best Mate,Master Smudge, Arkle, Cool Dawn,Golden Miller, Cottage Rake , whatever you are having yourself story. All part of the fascination we have with a race that began as a level weight Grand National trial of sorts before taking off in a life of it's own.
How can we not forgive connections of Flemenstar among others from not wanting their horse to be Gold Cup heroes ?
I sincerely hope Coneygree makes it back to halt the Giggi / Ricci / WPM steam roller with a little help from Colin Tizzard and any other medium sized outfit with a superstar lurking.
Maybe Andrew Lynch aswell Eddie. Zabana is a novice that caught my attention last term
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
Never won a Gold Cup or a Champion Chase. That's a steam roller powered by a 12 volt Kettle.Originally Posted by edgt
The 12v kettle will have a turbo strapped to it this season and that record will be put right.
Heard the same thing last year with UDS and Djakadam and Vautour and Don Poli.
What beats Douvan in the Champion Chase other than the fences Euro?
Now that would be nice.
Trust me to have him backed when unseating at the start of Jewson Chase; just as well as i was beside Jennifer Walsh on a plane at the time to keep perspective.
Me too. Certain he wins off a big price some time soon though
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
Mark Bradstock yesterday
"We schooled Coneygree today for the first time since his last race. He jumped very well and is a happy champ tonight. Good progress"
edgt (3rd September 2016)
Sprinter Sacre ? Horses have won the CC at 11 - one Moscow Flyer for example .
The £1m Betfair / King George / Gold Cup 'triple crown' bonus is back on again.
Full details: http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/news/...-million-bonus
Betvictor going 33-1 any horse to do it
Sara Bradstock with an update on Coneygree: "He did his first piece of proper fast work on Saturday and feels amazing really."
Racecourse gallop somewhere and then Haydock bound
What a wonderful time of the year
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
I think I read somewhere he's going for the Charlie Hall
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