JLT Novices 2018

[Kevloaf]

https://www.irishracing.com/card?race=Punchestown_Tue_24th_Apr_2018_6_40&prc=071&prd=201804241840

but there are often upsets at Punchestown.

Never a truer word spoken

Monalee and Al Boum Photo were doing no harm to the RSA form, but then again, Invitation Only was brought down and Finian's carried out... so by no means out of it either for the JLT form.

Still can't get over that race.


I can't wait to see all of these next season... it does look like a strong overall year for novice chasers (from Footpad to Presenting Percy) and plenty of the ones mentioned in here looking like they'll make the step up to open company, where they're needed

[archie]

My comment about several horses being within a poor or good jump of each other turned out to be prescient. The trick now is to work out which ones can progress in open company and stay fit.

As far as I can see, official ratings are:
166 Footpad
165 Presenting Percy
160 Al Boum Photo
159 Sceau Royal
158 Monalee
158 Saint Calvados
157 Diego Du Charmil
156 Finian's Oscar
156 Kemboy
156 Petit Mouchoir
155 Brain Power
155 The Storyteller
153 Rathvinden
153 Shattered Love
152 Invitation Only
150 Castlegrace Paddy
150 Dounikos
.
.
146 Cadmium

This compares with last year's list that included:

170 Altior
164 Yorkhill
162 Might Bite
158 Disko
157 Road To Respect
157 Top Notch
157 Whisper
155 Cloudy Dream
154 Politologue

[Hurricane fly]

Don’t like sceau royal being so highly rated. He’s not raced in any of the spring festivals so a 5 length beating of North Hilll Harvey puts him as rates as the 4th best horse in comparison to last years crop?

[archie]

I've edited to add Diego Du Charmil on 157. Personally think that he, Petit Mouchoir and Saint Calvados have inter-connected form that is over-rated. The latest RP Podcast boosts Cadmium as the only 2m novice likely to give Footpad a race.

[Istabraq]

Ratings are crucial to handicaps, obviously, but it's clear either the Irish handicapper is incompetent or the UK 'capper is too harsh, something has to change....

[thistlecracker]

I've edited to add Diego Du Charmil on 157. Personally think that he, Petit Mouchoir and Saint Calvados have inter-connected form that is over-rated. The latest RP Podcast boosts Cadmium as the only 2m novice likely to give Footpad a race.

Where do we think cadmium could head race wise next year for the festival ? Not heard a lot about this horse

[archie]

I'm not normally a big Tom Segal fan but I'm beginning to warm to him after his piece mentioning Cadmium in the Weekender:
'I don't think I've seen a more impressive performance in a 2m chase for years........
He simply has to be top class and I wouldn't be surprised to see him become a major factor for the Champion Chase or the Ryanair next season.'

I'd assume that he'd get 3 months out at grass then preparation for a campaign starting in November. Willie is always flexible over distance so he'd have an open mind but he accelerated so well off a fast 2 mile pace that you'd like to see him at graded level at that trip. However, with Douvan, Min, Great Field, UDS and Footpad in the mix, it's an impossible call 6 months ahead.
Some may be interested in this short video:

[Faugheen_Machine]

It's good to hear TS say all those things about Cadmium so I can see why you'd be warming to him.

Personally, I don't listen to a single word he says. He talks absolute rubbish 90% of the time and is stealing a living from racing.