LAST WORD ON THE GOLD CUP: The reaction has been unanimous: Galopin Des Champs is a superstar. But, as the dust settles on Cheltenham for another year, Daqman reacts to the reaction! He reveals how quickly that gold star can be tarnished.
IT’S FIRST BLOOD TO BOUGHEY: Tomorrow Daqman turns the spotlight on the start of the Flat, the Irish ahead of the game with their Lincolnshire Handicap on Saturday. Yesterday’s turf Listed at Chantilly was won by Perdika for George Boughey.
HOW GOLD LOST ITS GLITTER
DAYLIGHT ROBBERY: 15 out of 17 bookmakers displayed on Oddschecker quote Galopin des Champs at 11-8 and 6-4 to repeat his Cheltenham Gold Cup win in 2024.
But the truth is that, since Kauto Star (2007 and 2009), only one chaser has won gold twice; that was Al Boum Photo (2019-20).
Galopin Des Champs, spectacular as he may have seemed, is destined for a form nose-dive, or at best a struggle to re-exert himself, if he follows 11 out of 12 previous winners.
He may not gallop into oblivion but the 6-4 should be more like 10-1 at this stage that he can stay on his throne. Here’s the form of 11 of the Gold Cup winners since Kauto Star:
A Plus Tard (2022): pulled up Haydock, November; pulled up in the Gold Cup.
Minella Indo (2021): no wins; three times pulled up; second in the Gold Cup.
Native River (2018) King George third and Gold Cup fourth twice after.
Sizing John (2017) won Punchestown Gold Cup and the Punchestown Chase.
Don Cossack (2016) not race again after.
Coneygree (2015) seven defeats including PPUP; won a three-horse chase.
Lord Windermere (2014) 12 defeats in a row; PU 2015 Gold Cup.
Bobs Worth (2013) won only one more chase; 5th and PU in Gold Cups.
Synchronised (2012) fell in the Grand National.
Long Run (2011) won King George after; third twice in the Gold Cup.
Imperial Commander (2010) won once after but also PU three times and UR.
FAME AND FORTUNE
⭕ 4.35 Warwick The David Pipe trained Moodofthemoment is the sort to improve for handicapping and also the significant step up in trip. He was a 30 length point winner in a race that fell apart and is probably best watched today especially so given that the early market trends were not positive.
Fame And Concrete has never really built on his impressive bumper debut win at Southwell and has been particularly disappointing in his latest two starts. First time cheekpieces may help today and he gets the nod in what looks an easy opportunity of a race.
Just over a year ago he chased home subsequent Grade 2 winner Lookaway at Newbury so he clearly has ability and anything north of 75% of that effort should prove good enough here.
IMPOSTER STILL MORE THAN WELCOME
⭕ 5.00 Ffos Las It’s hard to get away from the progressive The Imposter here.
The heavy ground rules out many of his rivals and The Imposter can continue the good recent form of trainer Nigel Hawke (3 winners from last 15).
He’s up another 6lb but should come back fresh after a 55 day break from his latest success over this trip at Wetherby.
Main market rivals Ballydisco, Learntalot and (despite the name) Puddlesinthepark are all inconclusive on heavy ground.
DIAMOND TO SHINE
⭕ 5.20 Haydock … and there was me complaining about the field sizes at Market Rasen on Tuesday. At this afternoon’s three jumps cards we have 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12 runner races! BINGO – FULL HOUSE!
The best race on the Haydock (soft) card could be the final event which still looks competitive on Betdaq Betting Exchange despite the absence of Grandeur D’Ame.
Alan King’s runner was chasing a hat-trick but the race still features a hat-trick seeker in One Fine Man who loves the soft ground and doesn’t appear to have been too harshly treated by the handicapper who has pushed him up just 2lb for his Ayr success last time out.
Charlotte Jones is again onboard and her record on the eight-year-old is 1411.
However there is a big danger to the pair lurking in the shape of Grey Diamond who is on a recovery mission after falling at Sandown last time out. He was still travelling really well before coming to grief at the second last and that came in a higher class 2 event.
He had previously finished third in a class 2 at the November Meeting at Cheltenham and has generally been plying his trade at a higher level than this.
Escapeandevade was bitterly disappointing when pulled up at Carlisle last month when sent off the 5/4 favourite. He has chances on earlier form but there’s a huge question mark after that latest effort.
DAQMAN’S BETS
4.35 Warwick (win 10, nap)
BET 3.7pts win FAME AND CONCRETE
5.00 Ffos Las (win 10)
BET 3.3pts win THE IMPOSTER
5.20 Haydock (win 10)
BET 3.3pts win GREY DIAMOND
What are points? Points facilitate a staking plan, which is the secret to creating profit. One point is whatever you choose: a pound, a euro, or whatever ….
Start with a bank and decide how much you can afford to lose over a period of time, and determine the size of your bets accordingly. Daqman makes this variation every day.
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