Saturday 29th December 2018

I’m not sure what to make of the King George form but as things stand, Native River will likely take all the beating again in the Gold Cup. Waiting Patiently was badly hampered at an early stage and gave Brian Hughes no chance. We still don’t know how good he is or isn’t. Might Bite bled, and now has a lot to prove. Clan Des Obeaux won nicely, at the age of 6 he will play a part in many Gold Cups for years to come.

Thistlecrack got within a length and a bit though, I’m not sure this is Gold Cup winning form. The eyecatcher was Native River. He was outpaced over a sharp three miles on good ground but finished like a train once his stamina kicked in. The extra two furlong of the Gold Cup makes him the one to beat on all known form, especially if the ground comes up soft. He’s an EW bet to nothing at 6-1.

Average racing this afternoon, calm after the storm.

It will be interesting to see how Samcro runs at Leopardstown. I’m in the should have gone chasing camp. Samcro doesn't have the  speed to be a Champion Hurdle contender. If he’s beat today, and I think he will be, surely connections must have a rethink?