Arkle 2018

[Kevloaf]

Your bubble will burst. But you'll have the winner covered.

He was always going to be declared wasn't he?

No Joe Tizzzard said he has the entry but will likely go for the 2m5 race on the 15th....

[Robante]

Brain Power 13/8, Finian's 15/8. I'd have Brain Power shorter than that I think round Sandown

[Scooby91]

No Joe Tizzzard said he has the entry but will likely go for the 2m5 race on the 15th....

I diddnt know that. He had to run here really. I'd be more confident jlt now though but they should push him out for that on Sat theoretically.
Who ever wins deserves to be a strong fav for the arkle.

Brain power / north hill harvey for me.

[ComplyOrDie]

I think and want Finian's Oscar to win tomorrow, I don't think it will affect connections decisions come the festival though!

I am still unsure on Brain Power, even if he wins tomorrow, and I feel both Footpad and PM (should he make it) are massively different propositions to face in this race at the festival!

[Kevloaf]

Almost certainly a new Arkle fav tomorrow then.


All the way through I've agreed I think JLT is a more likely win for FO than the Arkle - my point has been that at the price he was/is! I think that hadn't factored in the likelihood he runs in this race.

It isn''t like if he gets beat it means I wasn't right to think the Arkle is in the LONG term plan .... running in this race proves it to me. If he wins, great, if he only just loses.... might step up might be here.... if he gets thumped, goes the JLT.

I was a little bit concerned they were 'avoiding' this race, as it doesn't smack of confidence... now he is declared I feel fully justified with everything I've said about this horse on the thread so far

[Kevloaf]

I diddnt know that. He had to run here really. I'd be more confident jlt now though but they should push him out for that on Sat theoretically.
Who ever wins deserves to be a strong fav for the arkle.

Brain power / north hill harvey for me.

If BP or FO win they'll be clear favs.... the others will probably shorten to the same as Footpad at a guess...

I think and want Finian's Oscar to win tomorrow, I don't think it will affect connections decisions come the festival though!

I am still unsure on Brain Power, even if he wins tomorrow, and I feel both Footpad and PM (should he make it) are massively different propositions to face in this race at the festival!

If FO wins tomorrow I would not even consider for 1 second him going anywhere but the Arkle?! I think tomorrow will have a huge say in where he runs at the festival?

[ComplyOrDie]

Almost certainly a new Arkle fav tomorrow then.


All the way through I've agreed I think JLT is a more likely win for FO than the Arkle - my point has been that at the price he was/is! I think that hadn't factored in the likelihood he runs in this race.

It isn''t like if he gets beat it means I wasn't right to think the Arkle is in the LONG term plan .... running in this race proves it to me. If he wins, great, if he only just loses.... might step up might be here.... if he gets thumped, goes the JLT.

I was a little bit concerned they were 'avoiding' this race, as it doesn't smack of confidence... now he is declared I feel fully justified with everything I've said about this horse on the thread so far

It's a big race, no doubt about it, but I'm hoping FO's jumping improves for going at a good clip and he's not too careful in his jumping.

[Scooby91]

Almost certainly a new Arkle fav tomorrow then.


All the way through I've agreed I think JLT is a more likely win for FO than the Arkle - my point has been that at the price he was/is! I think that hadn't factored in the likelihood he runs in this race.

It isn''t like if he gets beat it means I wasn't right to think the Arkle is in the LONG term plan .... running in this race proves it to me. If he wins, great, if he only just loses.... might step up might be here.... if he gets thumped, goes the JLT.

I was a little bit concerned they were 'avoiding' this race, as it doesn't smack of confidence... now he is declared I feel fully justified with everything I've said about this horse on the thread so far

If he wins I'd be happy enough as have him well covered.
But I'd be much more optimistic about him getting out paced and staying on then they've learned what they wanted to know and go for the jlt. I don't want him well beaten by any means and will be suprise d if he is.
I want brain power to win personally. Northill Harvey/ finians / sceau royal not far behind.
I'd be worried for the form if capitaine went close to be fair but I can't see any way that will happen.

[Robante]

I just don't rate Brain Power at all, don't see what he's done formwise to suggest he'll ever be winning a race like the Arkle. The only class 1 races he's ever won (2 from 7) have been against handicappers

[Faugheen_Machine]

I've just seen the news. What a race.

[Scooby91]

I just don't rate Brain Power at all, don't see what he's done formwise to suggest he'll ever be winning a race like the Arkle. The only class 1 races he's ever won (2 from 7) have been against handicappers

We will see if your right tomorrow

[Robante]

We will see if your right tomorrow

Very true, I will happily wince and hold my hands up if he wins tomorrow, it's a top race. North Hill Harvey could be a player

[Kevloaf]

Brain Power looks to have improved as a chaser.... I couldn't entertain him in the CH last season and was dismissive of him because of that (like you Rob) but his chase debut was impressive.... and although its not exactly the same, Sprinter Sacre got beaten in the Supreme and went on to improve past Al Ferof by about a stone... so I am always wary now of being too bullish about the difference between hurdles and fences.

[Kevloaf]

and to be fair, Footpad wasn't a grade 1 hurdler.... his 2nd to PM in a group 1, was group 1 only in name.... Petit Mouchoir seems to be thought of as this good solid G1 horse and he isn't really.... Irving proibably has more G1 hurdle wins

[Robante]

Brain Power looks to have improved as a chaser.... I couldn't entertain him in the CH last season and was dismissive of him because of that (like you Rob) but his chase debut was impressive.... and although its not exactly the same, Sprinter Sacre got beaten in the Supreme and went on to improve past Al Ferof by about a stone... so I am always wary now of being too bullish about the difference between hurdles and fences.

I can just about see the case for Brain Power, but can't be having that he has the profile of a superstar like Sprinter. I think he'll be found out tomorrow in top class company but will take it on the chin if proved wrong. In looking at the race from a punting perspective you can make a case for all of them. But I just think Finian's is potentially a Sprinter-style superstar so I might have to back him on that basis