Cheltenham 2014 Arkle Trophy Chase

[Old Vic]

Welcome Skippy.

I like Lesters double but think Grandouet might still progress. Barry G has a superb record on two mile chasers and think they will have jumping sorted by the fez. Rock on Ruby still to show his hand too.

[Old Vic]

Grandouet very disappointing last time out. Rock on Ruby an each way steal ?

[skippymac6]

Thanks lads, happy to throw my opinion in I think Mullins wanted CF to win easily at Leopardstown and put paid to the comments that Felix Yonger is the more natural 2 miler. He disappointed at around the same time last year before winning another Grade 1 against Bright New Dawn so I wouldnt be surprised to see him bounce back. That said, FY completely blew up over 2m 3f at Limerick and I dont think he's as effective over more than 2 miles (even though he did come second to Simonsig in the Neptune). I could see Mullins biting the bullet and letting FY stay at 2 miles and moving CF up in trip. He does have Ballycasey for the RSA too and I think Mozoltov (who races this Sunday at Naas) could be a late arrival to the party too.

[skippymac6]

I think Grandouet is obviously a talented horse but he was well beaten by Dodging Bullets. DB like his stable mate Hinterlan is very much not a s*exy horse but could be understimated. The English challenge doesn't look great and I would defo give Rock on Ruby a chance. He's 12/1 now and if he impresses next time out that could go all the way down to something like 7 or 8/1.

[Old Vic]

I think Nicholls pair have best form in England and not sure what to make of Irish horses beating each other. Came across a stat earlier that Nicholls was on a losing run of 52 chasers in all types of chases going into 2013 Festival. He had another 11 at the meeting so now 63 since a win

[Hoof]

Nicholls could easily send one of his to Champion Chase with the doubts about Sprinter.

Interesting comments from Geraghty in a Racing Post Today about Oscar Whisky having more scope than he expected and the Arkle therefore being a option. If that is case should be given an entry in Champion Chase too ? Probably not Mullins style but Had he not been beaten would Champagne Fever have been given one as well? A proper head wreck

[donka]

Ruby's comments a few days ago about Champagne fever. Sounds like he is still being aimed at the Arkle which is good news for us who have lumped on ante post.

Ruby Walsh-
I was disappointed with his third on Boxing Day. He travelled and jumped super all the way to the second last, where he made a bad mistake and then faded.
The second last at Leopardstown is crucial as you start to climb straight away into the straight. If you miss it, you don’t get a chance to fill up. It’s the wrong fence to miss. In hindsight, I would have been better off sitting behind rather than taking them on.
He’s a live Arkle contender. He has the pace, his jumping was brilliant – apart from the second last and he handles Cheltenham too, having won twice there.

[Old Vic]

Hi Donka - I have given up trying to figure Mullins out. Did FY stay at Limerick ? added video to his thread http://www.fatjockey.com/forum/showt...0-Felix-Yonger

[skippymac6]

Yeah i think that Champagne Fever will still go for the Arkle but Felix yonger showed no apptitude for the longer trip at Limerick. It will be interesting to see if Mozoltaf could be their Jewson horse as they'll just send both FY and CF to the Arkle if that was to transpire.

[mayo]

Mozoltov interesting call skippy. Running for Gigginstown now so might depend where they go with Don Cossack Bright New Dawn etc.

Quotes here:

After race at Fairyhouse Sat, 14th Dec, 2013 (1st) I've good clients and they're a fantastic pleasure to train for; I know I'm very lucky and I have to take my hat off to the team at home who are behind everything. I was very pleased with him (Mozoltov, running for the first time for owners Gigginstown House Stud) and was delighted we were able to retain him when he went up for sale. His form was good all the way through over hurdles and, today, looked a good solid jumper and learned as he went along. We wouldn't be afraid to go up in class with him and he can go up in trip and I think he'll handle any ground. W P Mullins
After race at Punchestown Sun, 3rd Feb, 2013 (1st) Mozoltov has been doing good work at home and I've been waiting for a nice race to get him out instead of taking on one of our own. I didn't think he'd be taking on as good a bunch as these and he has to go into 'the top drawer'. I'd imagine we're looking for the Supreme Novices hurdle with him and he can only be better on better ground and Ruby said he wasn't at home on that ground today. W P Mullins
After race at Gowran Park Thu, 13th Dec, 2012 (1st) He jumped well but he was a bit keen. He'll go for a novice now, probably after Christmas. W P Mullins
After race at Limerick Sun, 18th Mar, 2012 (1st) We always felt that he was one of our best. We were gutted he was beaten the last day but he raced a bit keen. The whole thing today was about getting him settled and if he settled we knew he would win. W P Mullins

[Old Vic]

Mullins has some serious juggling to do but dont think this is the penalty kick for him it looked about six weeks ago. Missed Mozoltov and must try and see that.

[skippymac6]

Yeah Mayo I suppose Giggy along with Mullins have some juggling to do. You'd have to imagine that Bright New Dawn would only go for the RSA and I still think that Don Cossack will go for the Jewson as I think he's not as effective over 3 miles. He showed decent speed to beat Carlingford Lough that day at Fairyhouse.

[Old Vic]

Thats how I would call the Giggy ones too. They like to leave a few at home too so might not all come over.

[skippymac6]

Felix Yonger perhaps Mullin's first string for the Arkle?

"FELIX YONGER has been trimmed for the Racing Post Arkle after trainer Willie Mullins suggested stablemate and present favourite Champagne Fever might be campaigned over longer trips.

Felix Yonger is generally 8-1 (from 10), although the larger price is still available with several firms, after Mullins told At The Races Champagne Fever could race over trips as far as three miles and contrasted the stablemates' fortunes against the Paul Nolan-trained Defy Logic, a general 8-1 shot for the Arkle.

Champagne Fever, who could be sent for the JLT Novices' Chase over 2m4f or the RSA Chase over 3m, suffered a heavy defeat to Defy Logic at Leopardstown last month, whereas Felix Yonger finished more than two lengths in front of Nolan's horse when they met at Punchestown in November.

"Champagne has done everything right, but Felix Yonger hammered Defy Logic and Defy Logic won the race the other day," Mullins said.

"Defy Logic was going right-handed around [Punchestown]. Maybe he is better going left-handed.

"He jumped and did everything right. He put it up to Champagne Fever and Champagne Fever didn't match up going down to the second last.

"On the formbook, Felix Yonger beat Defy Logic and Champagne Fever couldn't.

"Champagne Fever can easily go out to two and a half miles and could even go to three miles. He'd stay any trip.

"He's such a fantastic jumper he can win over two miles and that's why I've been campaigning up to now over two miles."

[skippymac6]

If that was the case I would imagine that Champagne Fever would only go up to 2 and a half miles for the Jewson and let Ballycasey take his chance in the RSA.