2 Milers - The road to the Queen Mother Chase (Latest acceptors Feb 12th)

[Grasshopper]

Disagree, but I’m probably biased.

GF covered less ground in his first outing, than he would have done up Mullins’ gallop two days beforehand. There are outliers of course, but you either believe racing brings horses on, or you don’t, and I’m a believer. Impossible to determine how much value to place in it, and it will vary from horse to horse, but ‘match fitness’ is a real thing, imo, and I’d expect some degree of improvement from most horses, for want of a season-opener.

Great Field may now be exposed as not good enough for Footpad and (I assume you meant) Simply Ned, but that’s not the same thing as saying that his level is now established. His next run will likely tell us a lot more about the ceiling of his ability.

I repeat; nothing will beat Altior in the CC.

[granger]

I do think he could possibly beat Simply Ned to be honest but even that isn't the form I'd expect from a horse with the ceiling he potentially had coming into this season.

I'd say Punch or Fairyhouse will be his target from here too as I don't get see him getting very far beyond 2 miles

All the great 2 miler horses i can remember could all get at least two and a half and look possibly even better than over 2m

[archie]

Great Field misses Cheltenham. Still sore after the Leopardstown fall.

[granger]

Great Field misses Cheltenham. Still sore after the Leopardstown fall.

QM field could be as low as 5

[Maruco]

Nicky must be tempted to find a pacemaker for Altior. Possibly the only risks would be a slow pace with nothing wanting to make the running, or having to do it all himself.

[simmo]

You'd think Special Tiara would take them along easily enough.

[Maruco]

True Simmo, but HdB must be tempted by the Grand Annual if his mark is in the low 150's, rather than a drubbing against Altior? Could just chase lower G1 prizemoney anyway I suppose, but they'd have to be tempted to go the handicap route.

If there's any risk of Special Tiara not turning up Henderson should be considering his options you'd think. I'd imagine Brain Power will stay hurdling now, and I'm struggling to think what he could use as a makeweight if necessary.

If it really does cut up badly I wonder if Willie might run both Footpad and Min against him and try and beat him tactically.

[granger]

Good on the connections of Un De Sceaux for at least making a race out of it on Saturday

[Double Handful]

Good on the connections of Un De Sceaux for at least making a race out of it on Saturday

Has there been news this morning confirming UDS will run on Saturday?

Would've thought there's no chance he'll actually run on that good ground. Forecast has very little rain, so I think good ground is a certainty.

[Tanlic]

QM field could be as low as 5

Someone said that last year.....even Sprinter couldn't get it down below 7...good prize money to be got by riding for a place and you will always get a couple of chancers running theirs

[viking]

Has there been news this morning confirming UDS will run on Saturday?

Would've thought there's no chance he'll actually run on that good ground. Forecast has very little rain, so I think good ground is a certainty.

Met office app showing heavy rain in Ascot area tomorrow afternoon. Let’s hope they’re right


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[Double Handful]

Good on the connections of Un De Sceaux for at least making a race out of it on Saturday

Has there been news this morning confirming UDS will run on Saturday?

Would've thought there's no chance he'll actually run on that good ground. Forecast has very little rain, so I think good ground is a certainty.

UDS a Non runner as expected - only the 3 runners.

[tiggers1972]

UDS a Non runner as expected - only the 3 runners.

Makes you laugh, I was only reading this article 10 minutes ago!

https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/...r-clash/157409

[Marb]

Given the entire 'article' refers to quotes which indicate he was only ever 50/50 to run, the title, "all set to face Altior", is definitely premature. I can't believe a Press Association Journalist doesn't understand that. Always wait til the final decs...

[wilsonl]

January traditions: -

- Paul Nicholls horses have their winter vaccines
- Chletenham previews start popping up earlier and earlier
- We wonder and moan about why the f**k the Clarence House isn't still a handicap. To hear Ascot defending the decision the other day was frankly pathetic.

Yes, the crowd will get to see Altior but they could do that at the Seven Barrows open day.

[G-G]

Met office app showing heavy rain in Ascot area tomorrow afternoon. Let’s hope they’re right


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It chucked it down for a good part of the day yesterday. Small snow storm this morning just to keep people on their toes!

[Frankel]

Good lad.

[granger]

Prices for the Leop 2 miler have Footpad 11/8, min 5/2, UDS 5/1, simply ned and saint calvados 8's

If Min were to run here, I like him at this track and still wouldn't be surprised to see him be the one to take on Altior

[Double Handful]

Prices for the Leop 2 miler have Footpad 11/8, min 5/2, UDS 5/1, simply ned and saint calvados 8's

If Min were to run here, I like him at this track and still wouldn't be surprised to see him be the one to take on Altior

5/2 Min seems too good to be true to me, expect that's an indication he won't run. If it were NRNB I'd have the MAX !

[granger]

Have to hope Shane that Ricci puts the foot down and wants the big prize out of him