Comments on: Cheltenham ‘10: Champion Chase

By: David Simons

David Simons — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:49:24 +0000

Think Master Minded will complete the hat-trick but at odds on, I’ll put him in a few doubles rather than try to pick something else for a forecast or an each way play.

By: Adam Reeves

Adam Reeves — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:25:38 +0000

Think Master Minded will win this easily but at the odds, my bet would have to be a FC bet on the day, Master Minded to beat Kalahari King.

By: Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:35:28 +0000

Master Minded would have to be my pick but the 6/4 is now long gone. Wouldnt read too much into his last fence blunder last weekend as he is a sound jumper on the whole, and can jump at speed.

Kalahari King would be my idea of the danger but I think it’ll be a case of Master Minded 1st, the rest nowhere.

Michael

By: Jamie McDermott

Jamie McDermott — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:55:42 +0000

Short or not, you Nicholls will have MM in peak condition for the race and will be damn hard to stop in his hat-trick bid. Coming back from his injury, his run on Saturday was very good, ignoring that final fence hiccup, and I don’t see him getting beat.
The value is probably a forecast bet and I’d fancy KK to chase him home.

By: Jamie 'The Duke' Taylor

Jamie 'The Duke' Taylor — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:05:10 +0000

Some interesting views. Master Minded sure did look back to his best yesterday (well just below it I’d say) but that horror mistake at the last starts me asking questions about his fencing and ability to make that sort of mistake at Cheltenham and get away with it?

Ruby Walsh has apportioned the blame onto himself trying to go for a ‘camera shot’ over the last, but should he make such an erratic mistake on the downhill fences at Cheltenham I’m afraid he wont get away with it.

His price reflects his chance but he is still plenty short enough based on what I’ve seen. I take your points on board about Big Zeb, Damien – but if you look at the way he was travelling here last year then you have to say he’d of definitely hit the frame with a clear round. Kalahari King is a favourite of mine over timber, but when you miss taking 12/1 about a handicap chase and then being asked to take 6/1 about the Queen Mother I just can’t get involved. If I’d of got those sort of odds for this race (had I acted sooner) then I’d definitely be happy with my wager.

By: Mike westwood

Mike westwood — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:43:39 +0000

Mixed performance for me Master Minded but way he travelled was impressive and ok did have a nightmare last jump but to me will not be beat but agree 4/5 is too short for a bet. Will wait and have little stakes for a place on something.

By: Damien Harkin

Damien Harkin — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:21:09 +0000

Master Minded did come back well but he was unconvincing with a couple of jumps, lucky to get away at the last and didn’t beat anyone of note. To go from 6/4 to odds on is ridiculous.
I’m not sure Big Zeb is as good on this side of the water and although a touch short, I’ll be backing Kalahari King.

By: Brian T

Brian T — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:34:11 +0000

Despite Master Minded coming back well today, I think Kalahari King will give him a race come the festival and ive backed him at 6s.

By: Richard Leech

Richard Leech — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:09:09 +0000

Cant see Master Minded getting beaten if he turns up. Providing all goes well tomorrow then he’s different gear to this lot…

By: Colm O'Dea

Colm O'Dea — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:11:56 +0000

Just the final fence blunder at Punchestown Feis last year destroyed Big Zeb’s chances. A clean jump and he would have put Master Minded behind him by a couple of lenghts. He will undoubtedly get the distance and stay up the hill. If he gets the small, but niggling jumping problems sorted, it will very hard to see him defeated. He’s overdue.