2017 Arkle Trophy Chase

[jono]

Henderson has today confirmed Altior will be declared for this. Interesting he only uses the words declared rather than runs.

I'm happy either way with who rides him to be honest Faugheen. I'm a fan of both jockeys and wouldn't see a negative in either riding him on the day. Anything in particular that puts you off Nico riding him?

[Faugheen_Machine]

Just that he hasn't rode him over fences yet.

[Kevloaf]

Interesting indeed. I hope I'm wrong and he does run.

Id definitely want to see Nico win on him (and Might Bite) actually just so it isn't an unknown! Whoever rides on Sat will ride IMO.

I'm probably a bit harsh on NDB ... he rode Sprinter Sacre every day ... not like he can't handle a super star! Didn't do bad on him after BG left Hendo either

[jono]

Yeah I see Nico riding and winning on Altior over fences as another “tick in a box” for an unknown coming into the festival to add to the peace of mind but we know he’s schooled the horse over fences plenty at home and rode him on all 5 of his hurdle runs last year so will know the horse very well.

Along with riding Sprinter every day he’s won the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup at the last 2 festivals so he has winning form over the 2 biggest chases at the festival already. One on a novice in the biggest race at the festival and another on one of the greatest, most high profile and loved horses ever. So both rides had their pressures and challenges.

I guess if you were being picky you could say he hasn't had an odds on 'banker' ride at the festival yet so that adds a different kind of pressure but his 3 Festival wins came on 2nd Fav's in each race so were still well fancied

[mayo]

Agree with FM. Noel is better than Nico but no insult in that.

Talking through my pocket but thought 2016 Arkle was not Nicos finest hour.

[Kevloaf]

Agree with FM. Noel is better than Nico but no insult in that.

Talking through my pocket but thought 2016 Arkle was not Nicos finest hour.

Each way I hope? :o

[Cashew King]

Talking through my pocket but thought 2016 Arkle was not Nicos finest hour.

Blimey Mayo - cost me too, I'm having flashbacks & need to sit down!

[Cashew King]

Each way I hope? :o

Each way, without the fav, each way combos- you name it - he only needed to come 2nd - doh

[mayo]

Each way I hope? :o

Without the favourite ew

[mayo]

Each way, without the fav, each way combos- you name it - he only needed to come 2nd - doh

We move on CK but we don't forget

[jono]

Personally i'd question the horse more so over the jockey - always seems to find a way not to win, particularly at Cheltenham. How he still hasn't won at the course...

[mayo]

Personally i'd question the horse more so over the jockey - always seems to find a way not to win, particularly at Cheltenham. How he still hasn't won at the course...

Hate jockey bashing Jono so agree with main point. A more seasoned jockey might have accepted his fate (2nd) last year ...shouldn't be an issue with Altior anyway.

[Old Vic]

I loathe jockey bashing and see it much like this ...

The Jockey is a factor in the race just as much as ground, horse and trainer form etc. None of them set out to mess up so if you don't rate a particular individual jockey don't back their mounts or lay if that is your game. We would have no game without them.

Feel free to talk about them though ...

[mayo]

Calm down dear. Noel > Nico.

[Old Vic]

Don't like the greater than thing either. Off to bed