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I shall be off to a cold and wintery Kempton Park Boxing Day to see another awesome line up of Grade 1 Steeplechasers battle for The King George.

But, my what goings on In the racing world since I was last here a week ago. !!!!

My choice for The King George Al Ferof out of the race after being Injured and worse, my hero Big Bucks out for the rest of the season due to Injury at home and the storm rages still with the decision by Clive Smith to turn Kauts over to a new career In Dressage. Another row continue's to blaze at the refusal by the BBC to acknowledge Sir Henry Cecil and Frankel In the SPOTY.

Jockey Ruby Walsh RUBY RUBY RUBY !!!! switched to ride Kauto Star's baby brother Kauto Stone for Paul Nicholls. I have had an each way bet at 8/1 on the little fella as he's capable but must confess It's more of a sentiment bet...

First, Ascot two days ago, the two retired superstars of steeplechasing gave us fans a sight to behold when they paraded or the adoring public...

Kauto Star and Denman What a beautiful sight !!!!

Attached files

First of all, The Lexus Chase on the 28th.... again, what an astonishing line up of superstars of the steeplechasing world... sadly I won't be able to get to Leopardstown Ireland to see them.

I see this as a clash of the titans between Sir Des Champs and Flemenstar however, Tidal Bay and Sizing Europe could upset the two.

Decided to go for a r/v f/c of Sir Des Champs and Flemenstar with each way bets on Tidal Bay and Sizing Europe.

10 superstars will go to post Boxing Day for the King George...... my oh my.... where do you start with this line up ????

My old favourite Grand Crus could be the underestimated dark horse. He disappointed In his last two outings but since has undergone surgery for breathing difficulties... he could be the surprise here.... I just can't place my bets until tomorrow.... the line up makes It the closest call I've seen for years... although I'd love to see the baby Kauto Stone take the crown In honour of his big brother.



Long Run 15/8

Cue Card 9/2

Riverside Theatre 6

Kauto Stone 7

Grands Crus 8

The Giant Bolster 12

Captain Chris 12

Junior 25

Champion Court 25

Hunt Ball 25

For Non Stop 33

Wishfull Thinking 33

Menorah 33

Can't believe the arguement myself and others were having on facebook recently with one of Long Run's connections where we all argued that his jockey Sam-Waley-Cohen wasn't good enough to maximise the horse's potential.... Don't think there'll be an apology coming from me after this race.

Another big race on Boxing day see's the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park.

Gone for a straight win on Cinders and Ashes and a r/v f/c of Cinders and Ashes and Dodging Bullets

I will be watching it on channel 4 or at the local bet fred

grumpy

the grumps;1413878 wrote: I will be watching it on channel 4 or at the local bet fred

grumpy


Glad to hear It..... I still can't decide who to back.... that's a rarity for me.... I usually know weeks In advance.... Rang my brother the bookie to see what he thinks and the one the bookies don't want to win Is Riverside Theatre ( owned by actor James Nesbitt by the way )...

Will make my final decision tomorrow after more details on the ground conditions which at the moment are soft.

I have to say that I've never had such a dilemma when placing a bet and I still can't decide for the calibre of the field Is just the best I've seen In many a year. I will have decide later tonight one way or the other...... I've never been In this position, dithering and hesitating for I watch all entrants for a year before making my choice....

First, my old favourite Grand Crus Looks like Scudamore Is to ride him and the going Is soft... this will favour him and apparently he's recovered well from the breathing operation.... If he's back on form, he'll be a damn good price at 8/1 but I'm wary after he cost me some pretty big money twice In the RSA and the Paddy Power Gold Cup this year when It was obvious something was not right with him but If he's on form, he's the horse that gave Big Bucks a good challenge.

Champion Jockey AP McCoy rides The Giant Bolster

David Pipe's second entrant Junior Is a late decsion after his blistering win last time out In the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle winning on very heavy going.... that's maybe the edge he needs...

Cue Card won last time out with a staggering 26 length win In the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last month again on soft ground.

Riverside Theatre Henderson's second entrant, has had a long absence which deters me slightly and was pulled up In his last outing at Aintree but he does win after long absences.

Paul Nicholls Is banking everything on the baby Kauto Stone and Nicholl's Is a canny trainer, I don't think he'd bank everything on one entrant unless the horse was performing at home on the gallops. At just 6 years old he's already banked two Grade One races In Ireland and another in France although he fell early on In the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham In March and his jumping was In question but was an Impressive winner when returning at Down Royal last month .....

I've not even looked at the bookie's favourite Long Run He's a class act but I think he's over hyped..... If he wins, I will apologise to his connections on facebook for calling his jockey a wanker :wah:

I shall place my bets and decide later

Ruby Walsh RUBY RUBY RUBY and Kauto Stone who I've had an each way bet witht.

Attached files

Right, no more deliberating... It's done now...

Cue Card £100 win

Grand Crus £50 each way

Kauto Stone £50 each way

oscar;1413939 wrote: Right, no more deliberating... It's done now...

Cue Card £100 win

Grand Crus £50 each way

Kauto Stone £50 each way


And the very best of luck with it - I know the result if I place a bet so I don't bother

Bryn Mawr;1413952 wrote: And the very best of luck with it - I know the result if I place a bet so I don't bother Thanks Bryn.... have to say this year, I am still having nagging doubts.

My nagging doubts were right on the day and I managed just one winner all day.... Dynaste .

It was terrible weather. raining hard, gale winds and the ground was a quagmire... very tough conditions for all the horses on the day and how they managed to stay on their feet was a feat worth noting. It was gruesome and even the Telegraph said this:

Well, it certainly wasn’t pretty. In fact, with each and every protagonist exuding fatigue even before the home turn, it took steeplechasing to the very margins of presentability.

Grand Crus ridden along as the back marker for most of the race finished completely unrecognisable as a grey, completely covered from ears to feet In thick cloying mud. The little fella Kauto Stone was just way out of his depth with the big guns but at least hung on In there with the conditions. Cue Card sadly made a massive blunder at the first fence which cost him dear and he could not regain the pace but again, at least he managed to stay on his feet and finish the race.

The result.

1st 8 Long Run (FR) 15/8 f

2nd 1 Captain Chris (IRE) 16/1

3rd 5 Grands Crus (FR) 7/1



However, as predicted, Long Run's connections were on facebook within hours bragging but I reserved my apology stating they just got lucky for his jumping was truely appalling.

Read more: Long Run wins gruelling King George VI Chase - Racing, Sport - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

The race....

2012 William Hill King George VI Chase - Long Run - YouTube



A guest appearance for us devotee's by Kauto Star made standing for hours In the rain so worthwhile.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing ... ds-newsxml

oscar;1413817 wrote: First of all, The Lexus Chase on the 28th.... again, what an astonishing line up of superstars of the steeplechasing world... sadly I won't be able to get to Leopardstown Ireland to see them.

I see this as a clash of the titans between Sir Des Champs and Flemenstar however, Tidal Bay and Sizing Europe could upset the two.

Decided to go for a r/v f/c of Sir Des Champs and Flemenstar with each way bets on Tidal Bay and Sizing Europe.


Well, I did say that Tidal Bay could upset the two titans.

The result:



1st 9 Tidal Bay (IRE) P F Nicholls 11 11-10 R Walsh 9/2

In rear, ridden along in 7th 3 out, 6th next and went 4th before last, kept on under pressure between horses to lead closing strides

2nd hd 2 First Lieutenant (IRE) M F Morris 7 11-10 p B J Cooper 14/1

Tracked leaders mainly 5th, 4th 3 out, ridden to go 2nd entering straight, kept on under pressure and led briefly late run-in, no extra and headed closing strides

3rd ½ 3 Flemenstar (IRE) P Casey 7 11-10 A E Lynch 5/4f

Tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd 4 out, travelled best to lead entering straight, ridden run-in and kept on under pressure, headed final 100 yards and dropped to 3rd opened 6/4

4th s.h 8 Sir Des Champs (FR) W P Mullins 6 11-10 D N Russell 9/4

Chased leaders in 6th, mistake 10th, ridden in 5th when not fluent 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, kept on s

I always believed the greatest finish I ever saw was Dunguib In the 2009 Champion Bumper... this has to now take that accolade...

In the last 200 yards up to the line, Flemenstar must have believed It was all over I have never seen a finish like this and It's testament to Jockey Ruby Walsh RUBY RUBY RUBY !!!! and how a horse responds when he asks for that little bit more.... wow .. no wonder the newspapers are reporting a ' sensational' finish.

Lexus chase 2012 tidal bay - YouTube

Tidal Bay now joins the line up for the Gold Cup In March

The previous link has been pulled... but Irish racing video still stands.

Lexus Chase 2012 Leopardstown - YouTube

I defy anyone to say they saw that finish coming....