2017 Foxhunters Chase

[Kevloaf]

Hi Jono, really Novicey question coming up....

Other than the qualification criteria, how do Hunter Chases differ from a standard Chase?
The Cross-Country is a very different event, with specialist skills, but I don't know much about Hunter Chases...

The horses have to have a Hunting licence ... and have used it. - This is from Wiki which sums it up pretty well.

"Hunter chases take place at national hunt racecourses, but are only open to horses that have hunter certificates. Hunter certificates are issued to horses that have hunted for at least four days in the season before racing starts in January. In addition, the jockey must be an amateur who has obtained a certificate from the hunt secretary.

Unlike point-to-points, licensed trainers as well as amateur trainers may have runners in Hunter Chases. This often causes controversy when big name trainers run former Grade 1 horses in Hunter Chases as amateur trainers feel they are unable to compete. New rules which took effect in 2009 will prevent horses which have finished in the first 3 of a Grade 1 or 2 chase in the previous season from taking part.

The two biggest Hunter Chases are the Aintree Fox Hunters' Chase and Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase. The Aintree Fox Hunters' is run as the feature race on the first day of the Grand National meeting over one circuit of the Grand National course. This gives amateur riders the chance to jump these famous fences before the professionals.

The Cheltenham Foxhunter is run after the Gold Cup over the same distance and is often referred to as the amateur Gold Cup."

[jono]

Hi Jono, really Novicey question coming up....

Other than the qualification criteria, how do Hunter Chases differ from a standard Chase?
The Cross-Country is a very different event, with specialist skills, but I don't know much about Hunter Chases...

I'm no expert so could be wrong Leman but as far as I can tell there is no real difference between the 2 types of chases (same course and distance as the Gold Cup a race before). The concern would be that horses like Wonderful Charm are coming into the sphere for a negative reason (on the downgrade, quirky, age etc) where as hunter chases will be much more likely to be in their prime/on an upward curve. There have been a few that have come close though in recent years though, Marito just beaten in second last year being one example.

If they could get Grand Jesture to race he would also be a danger as he's a talented horse. The slight problem with him is he's refused to race plenty of times in the last 2 years.

Very frustrating horse! Codd has been riding GJ this season so that would certainly be a plus point on the day if that continued.

[jono]

Latest on On The Fringe:

Every day Jamie rides him, he gets more familiar with the horse and he had a smile on his face pulling up after they worked at Leopardstown (on Sunday). The horse is as fresh as paint after that day out," Bolger told The Irish Times.

"He has actually had a better preparation this time. An abscess in a foot held him up for most of January last season and it was a rush to get him to Leopardstown. This time he nearly pinched the Leopardstown race against a very good and fitter horse in Foxrock.

"It was very encouraging and now we're just putting the final pieces of the jigsaw together with him. He's certainly in great form and gives no indication he isn't as good as ever."

[Can't Catch Me]

Nice to hear

[KingSprinterSacre]

Latest on On The Fringe:

ohh its on!! Come on OTF

[robith]

ohh its on!! Come on OTF

Great memories of screaming my office down when he was the last leg of a multiple last year and taking everyone down the pub last year. Here's hoping for repeat scences!

[Liammet]

Katie Walsh rides Wonderful Charm
I initially thought this was a plus when I heard it
However does this mean Will Biddick has chosen Ask The Weatherman over Wonderful Charm ?
In which case it is probably a negative
Anyway neither of them will beat On The Fringe imo

[ComplyOrDie]

Katie Walsh rides Wonderful Charm
I initially thought this was a plus when I heard it
However does this mean Will Biddick has chosen Ask The Weatherman over Wonderful Charm ?
In which case it is probably a negative
Anyway neither of them will beat On The Fringe imo

No, Paul Nicholls said in the Betfair preview night that Biddick is contracted to ride the Barber horse.

[Istabraq]

Paint the Clouds is a horse who can run well if ground is quick, profile fits and I'd rather have him to chase home OTF than any of the others...

[jack1092]

I am on Ask the Weatherman at fancy prices...he has Biddick as discussed above but i have to admit with this one, i was told to back him back in October and i haven't a notion about the form.

All i know is On the Fringe is a bit of a machine, and mine would need to be some horse to beat him, or OTF would need to run a bad race!

[Liammet]

No, Paul Nicholls said in the Betfair preview night that Biddick is contracted to ride the Barber horse.

Thanks cod,good to know
Nothing too negative about the Walsh booking,she is pretty good
I would be more concerned with the wind problems wonderful charm has had in the past
I am all in on on the fringe anyway
Just keeping an eye on the dangers

[cpfcpatriot]

Do we have any idea what Derek O'Connor is riding? Or if he is riding in this race.

Just looking for another angle outside of OTF!