Ten Plus

[billy the punter]

Seeing as we've discussing the chasing greats tonight though I'd ask the (slightly) older brigade a question. How well was Ten Plus going before his fatal fall when infront in Desert Orchid's Gold Cup? - How unlucky was he? I'm far too young to know the answer, I remember listening to the race on the radio on the way home from school in my mum's car. We were interested as my dad had his biggest bet at the time on Ten Plus, £1000 at 10/1 ante-post, a bit of a bet in those days. My old man still says to this day he would've gone close. I remember thinking how good a loser he was after that, so he definitely taught me something that day at least.

[Gingertipster]

Re: Ten Plus When learning the game Billy, I had an ante-post bet on Desert Orchid at 5/1 for the GC. I guess we will never know what would've happened. Plenty of knowledgeable people I know say Ten Plus was going better; and he was a stayer. But, Dessie was a battler. Although Ten Plus may well have won, it's doubtful whether he'd have been a great. When we see David Elsworth's Grey these days, it is in the bog at Cheltenham, fighting off Yahoo. But he was getting on for a stone better horse on a right-handed track. That year Dessie was rated by Timeform 182 (best rating 187), where as Yahoo (beaten just 1 1/2 lengths) was rated 169. Timeform 88/89 C&H says "Ten Plus looking the most threatening rival to Desert Orchid when he came down three from home". He was rated 165.