Arkle 2018

[archie]

More of a 2m4 horse perhaps Archie?
I had him down for the neptune before something clearly went wrong physically last season

Hard to say although his G1 was 2 miles last season. I think he's one that will fit in where there are vacancies so we need to wait and see how the likes of Bacardys, Bunk Off Early et al go. Probably learn more in Christmas week.

[ComplyOrDie]

I would also back FO 14/1 Arkle rather than 2/1 tomorrow.

Can't imagine any situation where winning tomorrow would mean they went for the JLT

It's my part cover bet I guess, if he wins I can play with the 12pts profit on him for this race, if he loses, yeah I've lost 6pts in defeat but I have plenty more than that covered for the JLT, which I then guess would be his race, also have the slim possibility that he wins tomorrow and he still goes for the JLT, now that would be a right result!

[Kevloaf]

It's my part cover bet I guess, if he wins I can play with the 12pts profit on him for this race, if he loses, yeah I've lost 6pts in defeat but I have plenty more than that covered for the JLT, which I then guess would be his race, also have the slim possibility that he wins tomorrow and he still goes for the JLT, now that would be a right result!

It works out the similar so you're not any worse off, just that is what I'd do because I think about Chelt more than any given Saturday haha.

Your way is more sensible/flexible

[BigChaang]

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

I am liking north hill harvey for this (the arkle ) IF , f.o doesn't run . dan skelton said at cheltenham in october that running n.h.h over further
was a mistake and that he's an out & out 2 miler .

[jono]

D Day for any Finian's Oscar Arkle backers tomorrow (and I would be one)

Against this field, at a lightening gallop over the Sandown fences this is an absolutely huge test for Finians' Oscar. I don't agree with a lot of the negativity towards Bryan Cooper but he just looks devoid of confidence (as you would expect from his injuries and Gigginstown fallout) and I think that has to a degree translated onto the horse. On a horse like Fox Norton it isn't so much of an issue but on a novice chaser and one who hasn't quite taken completely to fences (so far imo) I think it is a hinderance. So I am delighted to see Robbie Power back onboard tomorrow and see that being another boost to his chances.

Come 13:50 we will know who Footpad and Petit Mouchoir should be fearing most in the Arkle and though I will be extremely nervous throughout the race, I expect Finians Oscar to be that horse and will be very confident in him winning the Arkle

[Faugheen_Machine]

Welcome back Jono

How do you think they'll choose to ride FO tomorrow? I'm going RP follows Brain Powers every move and takes it up just after the last.

As much as I don't like BP for the Arkle, it was hard not to be impressed by his jumping on debut and he'll be stern opposition tomorrow.

[jono]

Welcome back Jono

How do you think they'll choose to ride FO tomorrow? I'm going RP follows Brain Powers every move and takes it up just after the last.

As much as I don't like BP for the Arkle, it was hard not to be impressed by his jumping on debut and he'll be stern opposition tomorrow.

Cheers FM. Been hard to find time on the forum lately and the rest of the month looks the same but still check in every now and then and will be back on it come the New Year regularly

I was very taken with Brain Power at Kempton, I think it's impossible not to be impressed. Long term I have enough doubts with BP to stop me backing him in the Arkle. He HAS to prove he can act going left handed for starters but also BP reminds me a little of Vaniteux actually who also made his chase debut at Kempton and looked an absolute natural that day winning 19 lengths. He didn't exactly do bad for the rest of the season (neck second in the Wayward Lad, beat Arzal and Fox Norton at Doncaster and then would likely have got second behind Douvan in the Arkle bar falling) BUT he isn't quite top class and was found out against top opposition in grade 1 races. Now Henderson does seem to have made a few more noises about BP, working with Altior for example made me think twice but from everything i've seen in his career so far he'll look very good until he really comes up against the best horses in his division and he could be a similar type to Vaniteux.

That said Sandown will suit him down to the ground so I agree it's a very tough test for Finians Oscar. FO hasn't looked the quickest or most natural jumper so far on what we have seen so if Brain Power and North Hill Harvey make it a real good gallop the worry would be his jumping suffers and he finds himself too far back or worse makes a race ending mistake. I can very much see the same scenario you said above. Brain Power and North Hill Harvey will surely take the lead and i'd be shocked if Robbie Power gets involved up front. I'm hoping the fast pace and Power onboard will see a much improved jumping performance and if he's up there with a chance at the last there will only be one winner.

If Brain Power were to win tomorrow i'd probably still be cautious of him as an Arkle prospect until he proves it left handed as i'd likely have missed the price if he wins well.

[SeanRock]

The King Henry VIII card didn't disappoint, can't wait for the race personally i think it'll be even better than the Tingler Creek. Capitaine looks the value bet to me at 9/1 goes best RH and jumps for fun has his preferable ground and i can see him being hard to reign in when he gets going he has looked electric over fences (albeit against inferior opposition)

[Kevloaf]

Well it is fair to say, I feel incredibly nervous. I'd like FO backed in to fav this morning if possible chaaaaaaaarge!

Hendo is scared....

I was rather hoping Finian’s Oscar wasn’t going to run, but there you go, it is now a very competitive race which is a good thing. We weren’t going to go for this as I thought it would have come a little too soon after Kempton, not from a physical point of view, but more mentally. However, he’s in great shape and after discussing it with Michael Buckley we all agreed to give it a go. He jumped five fences yesterday (Thursday) which is the only time he’s been off the ground since Kempton and he was brilliant.

[Faugheen_Machine]

At least we'll all know where he'll go after this race. If anything wins this impressively, we'll be looking at a new favourite by 2 o'clock.

[Scooby91]

Well it is fair to say, I feel incredibly nervous. I'd like FO backed in to fav this morning if possible chaaaaaaaarge!

Hendo is scared....

I was rather hoping Finian’s Oscar wasn’t going to run, but there you go, it is now a very competitive race which is a good thing. We weren’t going to go for this as I thought it would have come a little too soon after Kempton, not from a physical point of view, but more mentally. However, he’s in great shape and after discussing it with Michael Buckley we all agreed to give it a go. He jumped five fences yesterday (Thursday) which is the only time he’s been off the ground since Kempton and he was brilliant.

Imagine if capitaine won don't think you have him covered either?


I won't be covering him.


1st brain power.
2nd north hill Harvey
3rd finians Oscar
4th sceau royal
5th capitaine
Would be my guess.

[Can't Catch Me]

Think this race will be run perfectly for FO today and fancy him myself. Very competitive though so not a major interest.

[Faugheen_Machine]

My heart says:
1.Finans Oscar
2. Ambulance
3. Sceau Royal

Head says.
1. FO
2 Brain Power
3. NNH

This is the race of the season so far, I cannot wait.

[Scooby91]

My heart says:
1.Finans Oscar
2. Ambulance
3. Sceau Royal

Head says.
1. FO
2 Brain Power
3. NNH

This is the race of the season so far, I cannot wait.

I wouldn't be suprised if NHH battled it out.
Iv no idea what it is that's making me think it but Im picturing a complete demolition job by brain power from the front. The likes of altior against fox norton

[Robante]

Brain Power being mentioned in the same breath as Sprinter and Altior makes me weep! He’ll be found out today I’m sure, Finian’s will sit close to the pace and motor past in the final furlong. Hendo will offer up the excuse that the race came too quickly, Brain Power will romp home in a couple of lesser races early next year, then finish mid division in the Arkle