QM Champion Chase - MOSCOW TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK!

[Aykay1]

I'm going against the general feeling towards this great horse and betting that he can produce a remarkable 4th win in theis race at the age of 12. The evidence suggests that age has finally caught up with and he is now in decline. Whilst I wouldnt deny that he isnt the horse fo old I still think he will have enough today. Lets look at his last 3 races, all of which he has been defeated in. April at Punchestown - This saw Rathgar Beau become the first horse to defeat MF, when he has completed the course - a record going back to October 2001 :eek A sign of ageing here? Im not sure - it was only 3 weeks earlier that he has run away with the Grade1 John Smiths Chase at Aintree, winning easily by 16 lengths. I dont think he becomes a weaker horse within only 3 weeks and would prefer to put that defeat (by only a short head, i hasten to add) down to tiredness at the end of a busy season. Whilst on face value he was beaten fair and square in his next two runs, we only have to look at the form of Harringtons stable over the course of October to January. Out of 100 runners during this period, how many winners do you think they had? A big fat 0. Yep - 0/100. We only have to look at the improvement in Mac's Joys form over the course of the season to illustrate how much better Harringtons horses are running nowadays. I appreciate there is an element of forgiving and straw clutching in all of the above but none of Moscows opponents this afternoon really convince me. Kauto Star, whilst undoubtedly classy is too short a price for me. No 6 year old has won this race in 32 years and has no Cheltenham form whatsover, so is an unknown on that front too. - 17 of the last 21 winners had been at least placed at the previous festival and 2 of the remaining 4 has won good chases at Cheltenham outside the festival. He is an obvious danger but his inexperience could well find him out and I would want bigger than the prices currently available. Other obvious dangers include Central House, who may need softer ground than the drying going he encounters today. Although an improved horse this year, he was a well beaten 6th in this last year on good ground. He has no apparent Cheltenham form either. He does fit all the tends for winners of this race though. Fota Island is also all the rage at the moment and although a danger, Im not convinced by his stamina. 12 of the last 16 winners has won over at least 2m 4f. Fota has not won further than 2m1f at the mo. I think he looks held by Central House on the formbook too. Watch the roof come off Cheltenham if I'm right - there will be amazing scenes. MOSCOW FLYER @ 5/1 WIDELY AVAILABLE

[bowles10]

Re: QM Champion Chase - MOSCOW TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK! I'm really not sure AK, i think the race is a poor renewal with the old timer at 12 up against the newcomer at 6. If only Ashley Brook had lined up, we would all be on it!! :@ I have tried to make a case for everything in the race & would love to see Fundalmentalist get back to form on a course it likes (2 of its 4 wins have come here). It was desperate at Lingfield LTO when it was going well alongsides OLd Vic when falling at the 8th. I think i will be avoiding the big guns & having a little ew on both Fundalmentalist & River City (check out the form, it aint bad for a 66/1 shot!)