and incidentally, the King George wasn’t around in Golden Miller’s era, and the Gold Cup wasn’t all that important (the National Hunt Chase was more prestigious) until Golden Miller began winning it – he made the Gold Cup’s reputation as the best race, not the other way about. And using Arkle as an example of anything doesn’t really hold, as the horse’s ability was so utterly unique he’d’ve won the Grand National, the Champion Chase and probably the Boat Race if he’d been entered for it
“I most but 7 years of age” - I couldn’t agree more, old chap. However, I’d suggest a) you read my post properly and b) that until recently higher class horses contested (and won) the King George (partly due to the ground as letssseee says). I don’t think anyone could accuse Glencarraig Lady, Ten Up, Davy Lad, Master Smudge (!) Cool Ground and others of being in the class of the vast majority of KG winners. It’s only recently the Gold Cup’s been won regularly by the best 3m steeplechaser.
Yes,Kinloch Brae,owned by the Dutches of Windsor(Arkle),fell three out(slipped on landing).He had absolutely crucified L'escargot & Co back in Ireland in previous races.Bar that fall,he really was an absolute certainty.I had him in an ante post double with the great Persian War who had just won his third Champion Hurdle.Such is life!!
Yes, this is the first race meeting I ever attended. Remember the day vividly.
Kinloch Brae the up and coming world beater fell cruising 3 out I think but L'escargot was a great horse and vastly under rated. 2 Gold Cups, Colonial Cup USA, Grand National,Gloucester Hurdle (top novice hurdle at festival), Wills Premier Chase and Sundew Chase to name a few. Still have the Gold programme. Remember having £2 on Garrynagree in the Cathcart (Ryan Air)
yes, L'Escargot doesn't get a lot of credit, does he? Not an easy ride, ever. However, these wonderful Gold Cup vids do emphasise that in those days the King George was the benchmark for a high-class chaser; it's only over the last decade or so that the Gold Cup has become the prestige race of the two.
Fair point endorsed by the fact that L'escargot was the only horse to retain its crown during 70/80/90s although there was some really terrible ground 70/80's.
ie Ten Up/Alverton/The Thinker etc.
The class horses mopped up the KG like Pendil/Captain Christy/Wayward Lad/ Desert Orchid although dont deride me but I thought Dessie was really a Kempton horse and was never on my top list. Even Kildimo had its measure at levels.
@ComteLafon - thats a load of Bull* - you mean to say when Arkle and Golden Miller and Mill House won it was not a top race? idiot - The Cheltenham Gold Cup "WAS ALWAYS" a top notch race - you most but 7 years of age.
L'escargot was a great horse. he ran in 4 nationals and at least 4 gold cups. Does anyone know what happened to him in 72 national. he was placed in 73, 74 and won in 75 but not even mentioned in 72 - maybe he was brought down because he rarely fell and loved aintree
Partly correct but the winner was 33/1 I recall and the big fancies Kinloch Brae/Titus Oates/Playlord etc were out of the frame. Some glum faces methinks that day . I for one. Until the last race.
@abrahamcat probably because he was a 33/1 winner few had. The 66, 86 and 89 gold cups I remember for the crowd and the 77 national. When popular horses win the crowd goes bananas.
and incidentally, the King George wasn’t around in Golden Miller’s era, and the Gold Cup wasn’t all that important (the National Hunt Chase was more prestigious) until Golden Miller began winning it – he made the Gold Cup’s reputation as the best race, not the other way about. And using Arkle as an example of anything doesn’t really hold, as the horse’s ability was so utterly unique he’d’ve won the Grand National, the Champion Chase and probably the Boat Race if he’d been entered for it
ComteLafon 4 months ago
“I most but 7 years of age” - I couldn’t agree more, old chap. However, I’d suggest a) you read my post properly and b) that until recently higher class horses contested (and won) the King George (partly due to the ground as letssseee says). I don’t think anyone could accuse Glencarraig Lady, Ten Up, Davy Lad, Master Smudge (!) Cool Ground and others of being in the class of the vast majority of KG winners. It’s only recently the Gold Cup’s been won regularly by the best 3m steeplechaser.
ComteLafon 4 months ago
Thanks, Grincher. :)
abrahamcat 5 months ago
Correction,it was Dutchess of Westminster(not Windsor).
borneomick 1 year ago
Yes,Kinloch Brae,owned by the Dutches of Windsor(Arkle),fell three out(slipped on landing).He had absolutely crucified L'escargot & Co back in Ireland in previous races.Bar that fall,he really was an absolute certainty.I had him in an ante post double with the great Persian War who had just won his third Champion Hurdle.Such is life!!
borneomick 1 year ago
Never seen a 'snail' move that quickly lol
marsvltor2 2 years ago
Yes, this is the first race meeting I ever attended. Remember the day vividly.
Kinloch Brae the up and coming world beater fell cruising 3 out I think but L'escargot was a great horse and vastly under rated. 2 Gold Cups, Colonial Cup USA, Grand National,Gloucester Hurdle (top novice hurdle at festival), Wills Premier Chase and Sundew Chase to name a few. Still have the Gold programme. Remember having £2 on Garrynagree in the Cathcart (Ryan Air)
letsseeee 2 years ago
yes, L'Escargot doesn't get a lot of credit, does he? Not an easy ride, ever. However, these wonderful Gold Cup vids do emphasise that in those days the King George was the benchmark for a high-class chaser; it's only over the last decade or so that the Gold Cup has become the prestige race of the two.
ComteLafon 2 years ago
Fair point endorsed by the fact that L'escargot was the only horse to retain its crown during 70/80/90s although there was some really terrible ground 70/80's.
ie Ten Up/Alverton/The Thinker etc.
The class horses mopped up the KG like Pendil/Captain Christy/Wayward Lad/ Desert Orchid although dont deride me but I thought Dessie was really a Kempton horse and was never on my top list. Even Kildimo had its measure at levels.
letsseeee 2 years ago
@ComteLafon - thats a load of Bull* - you mean to say when Arkle and Golden Miller and Mill House won it was not a top race? idiot - The Cheltenham Gold Cup "WAS ALWAYS" a top notch race - you most but 7 years of age.
sainglain 5 months ago
L'escargot was a great horse. he ran in 4 nationals and at least 4 gold cups. Does anyone know what happened to him in 72 national. he was placed in 73, 74 and won in 75 but not even mentioned in 72 - maybe he was brought down because he rarely fell and loved aintree
julzyboy1973 2 years ago
Went at the third, due to some baulking, ISTR.
Vericacious 2 years ago
cheers for that
julzyboy1973 2 years ago
@julzyboy1973 , L'escargot was brought down at the third fence in the '72 National
beesknees91 1 year ago
@beesknees91 thanks for this. Commentators don't mention his demise in the race.
julzyboy1973 1 year ago
Interesting to note how reserved the crowd is compared to now.
abrahamcat 3 years ago
Partly correct but the winner was 33/1 I recall and the big fancies Kinloch Brae/Titus Oates/Playlord etc were out of the frame. Some glum faces methinks that day . I for one. Until the last race.
letsseeee 2 years ago
@abrahamcat probably because he was a 33/1 winner few had. The 66, 86 and 89 gold cups I remember for the crowd and the 77 national. When popular horses win the crowd goes bananas.
grincher2006 5 months ago
L'Escargot is often forgotten when the greats are talked about, but his 2 Gold Cups and a Grand National surely must rank him among the best.
december2364 3 years ago 2