King George 2 Horse Race?

[Rolemat]

First,just to wish all a Happy and Prosperous Christmas and New Year in punting and in general. Personally I am very disappointed with the field for the KG and feel that too many are running scared including Nicky Henderson.It grieves me to say this but if Altior is in good enough nick to run on Friday,he should be in the field?

We have been deprived of a fascinating showdown over an easy 3 miles with nothing to lose if he was beaten but plenty to have been gleaned from the outcome.So we are left with what we have and despite the media frenzy the outcome will be less informative than it could have been.Said previously Lostintranslation looks more of a Gold Cup horse and I think would beat Cyrname in that race and the media make this a two horse race as do the bookies.

So what to back? Well I do not rate Clan,it was a mess of a race last year,Footpad is not up to this at the trip imo and so I am going to suggest Thistlecrack at the prices,the only requirement is for Scu to ride him more positively than in the past and he should be bang in the mix despite his age.What do you guys think in terms of the best value?

[Rolemat]

Having analysed the make up and the relative merits of each horse in the race I am convinced that Thistlecrack can finish pretty close to the front if only Scu would be more positve than he has been in the past.The horse obviously still has an engine which operates at less than maximum revs to cruise around at this trip.It will take a very good one to get him off the bridle before 3 out or even two out.Cyrname will be going into new territory having probably made the running.

Lostintranslation will have travelled well to 3 out if the pace is generous (will it be if Cyrname makes the pace)? All and sundry e.g trainers and pundits are saying fast and furious,will it be given Cyrname has it to prove he stays,Lostintranslation will be lost if it is not and ditto Clan.

The only horse in the race who has proved he can cope with any scenario at this level is Thistlecrack and at 18/1 looks an ew bet to nothing for a small stake as an interest for those looking for value returns.On the day he is likely to be around 14s for 3 places with some firms and exceptional value in that respect.