2016 Arkle Trophy Novices Chase

[oceans]

The comparison with Faugheen time is as ridiculous as you'll get in horse racing. Not even over flat and shorter trips the overall time bears no meaning, let alone over 2 miles.

[mayo]

The comparison with Faugheen time is as ridiculous as you'll get in horse racing. Not even over flat and shorter trips the overall time bears no meaning, let alone over 2 miles.

He does qualify it himself oceans .."a race that was run at a fast pace".

De Bromhead does better with chasers than hurdlers so more interested in that angle myself.

[Morning Glory]

Donn

Sizing John - Henry de Bromhead

Sizing John was beaten three times by Douvan over hurdles last season, but there is no disgrace in that, especially for a horse who was always going to be better over fences. Winner of the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown, he ran a cracker to finish third behind Douvan and Shaneshill in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle when he raced aggressively and prominently in a race that was run at a fast pace. The winning time was 3.4secs faster than the time that Faugheen took to cover the same course and distance in the Champion Hurdle 70 minutes later. He was very good on his debut over fences at Punchestown last month, he is a real chasing type, just a five-year-old who should continue to progress over fences. He could step up in trip but, for now, it looks like his astute trainer is set to campaign him as an Arkle prospect.

I liked what I saw

[mayo]

Bristol De Mai surely well behind L'Ami Serge as Arkle candiate for owners ?

Jacob said on Racing UK afterwards: "He's very brave for a young horse. For a big horse he's a long neck and long back and that can get him out of trouble very quickly. I think he's going to get better in time and be a class horse.

"His only downfall is he's a little bit too keen. Two miles is as far as he wants to go [for the moment] as he's so exuberant."

Sky Bet were impressed and cut Bristol De Mai to 20/1 from 33s for the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Sky Bet spokesman Michael Shinners said: "That was a bold-jumping display from Bristol De Mai and he's clearly improved since his fencing debut at Uttoxeter."

[Ballybeen]

Douvan out this Sunday at Navan. Looking forward to this.

[gjt7756]

I'm just gutted i've not got on Douvan a lot more at his current price because i can only see him shortening after sunday

[paz247]

L'ami Serge could step up into a JLT horse if Bristol De Mai keeps improving

[mayo]

L'ami Serge could step up into a JLT horse if Bristol De Mai keeps improving

Had vyta De roc down as their JLT horse but plans could change

[paz247]

Had vyta De roc down as their JLT horse but plans could change

He was tried over 3miles on his last run over hurdles, is he defo going chasing? Could they be tempted to try the RSA?

[Old Vic]

He was tried over 3miles on his last run over hurdles, is he defo going chasing? Could they be tempted to try the RSA?

Henderson said after Sefton he was going chasing and think he also highlighted him as one that could be exciting this year at his owners day. Unlucky in Neptune and well beaten by thistlecrack at Aintree but could do for either JLT or rsa ?

[mayo]

This is an old quote from Bromley re Bristol De Mai ( early in 2014-15 season)

“When you’re buying a nice French horse, you tend to buy them as a youngster, so they can often be quoted [in the ante-post betting] as Triumph Hurdle horses as soon as they’ve won a race,” Bromley says. “But not all of them were bought to be Triumph Hurdle types and there are a couple of embryonic chasers, of which Bristol De Mai is one.

I have probably been underestimating him based on hurdle form. Bromley might be a better judge than me

[Morning Glory]

Vaniteux put in a great round of jumping yesterday. Qewy isnt a bad yardstick either.

[mayo]

Vaniteux put in a great round of jumping yesterday. Qewy isnt a bad yardstick either.

yep. very impressive.

[Old Vic]

AR MAD wont go to Cheltenham according to Gary Moore - needs to go right handed

[Faugheen_Machine]

What an engine Douvan has! I thought Patrick had gone off way too quick but he ran on right to the line. He's an unbackable price for the Arkle now though. I'd be more worried about him putting in a clear round of jumping than the likely opposition he'll be facing.