Al Boum Photo at five times the price of Presenting Percy already appeals to me as an each way selection (33's).
Al Boum Photo at five times the price of Presenting Percy already appeals to me as an each way selection (33's).
I don't think he's a stayer.
You have to bear in mind that Willie has never won the Gold Cup or the Champion Chase. He has a dozen or so contenders for the 3 Championship chases including a few who are quoted in all 3 races:
Footpad
Bellshill
Douvan
Al Boum Photo
Killultagh Vic
Kemboy
Invitation Only
Un De Sceaux
Min
Benie Des Dieux
Great Field
Cadmium
Anyone backing in anything other than the Any Race market may like to brush up on the rules of Mullins Bingo.
The older I get the better I was.
Some list
My thoughts
Footpad - So good over 2, don't think can be as good over 3
Belshill - surprised at his rate of improvement
Douvan - nope
ABP - mid 160s horse
KV- aim him at the Lexus
Kempboy- nope
IO - nope
UDS - warrior. One more win in him
Min - too headstrong plus short of top class
BDD - won't be campaigned in any exciting way
GF - 2 miles is this headbangers max
Cadmium - nope
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
As much as I respect his ability, I'd be pretty confident Thistlecrack's previous form isn't good enough to win a Gold Cup anyway GG.
If Mullins doesn't send Douvan or Footpad to the King George, he'd be the one I think he'd most likely send over, given you can't run everything in the Lexus. Could I see him beating Might Bite? No, but I think he'd run very well around Kempton.
Sizing John is back in training
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
If they were all fit and the races were next week, I'd take a punt at:
GC - Bellshill/Douvan/Al Boum Photo/Killultagh Vic
Ryanair - Min/UDS/Kemboy/Invitation Only
QM - Footpad/Great Field/Cadmium
MaresH - Benie Des Dieux
In reality, they will be campaigned with the various options in mind and will end up where they end up. As it stands, I'd have thought that the first choices were Bellshill/Min/Footpad but there are a number of 6yos who will be at their peak next March.
The older I get the better I was.
Mmmm not sure I agree with that, but he'll come a year older, and anything can happen on the day. You never know who's going to turn up on the day, and who isn't. I just hope if he comes back and is not doing it, they don't keep on with him. They don't always come back from set backs such as he has had.
IF
Faugheen does go chasing...
Let's say he wins his beginners and the big Leopardstown Xmas race...
Could be go gold cuppin. At his age it's all or nothing.
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
There's just no way they'd leave themselves open to the criticism PJ. Some decisions are big, and others are just too big.....
"Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".
SlimChance, March 2018
Trying to think outside the box here. Does Waiting Patiently get the Gold Cup trip? 33s is a nice price if he runs anywhere near Might Bite round Kempton.
Grasshopper (2nd September 2018)