JLT Novices 2018

[jonthehammer]

Please send him here Nicky

[ComplyOrDie]

I can't believe I am going to say this, but I can genuinely see Finian's Oscar turning up and running a fair race in this now.

I've been looking at the market, and come up with the following:

Willoughby Court will go hard at the front end, as he normally does, may not lead but he will certainly be up with the pace, could potentially be susceptible to a horse staying on.
Footpad is very likely to run in the Arkle.
I can only imagine one of Invitation Only or Al Boum Photo running in this race, I believe Al Boum Photo to be the more talented so he'd be a danger.
I believe the form with Benatar will be overturned on a stiffer track like Cheltenham and off levels!
Terrefort is no guarantee to run, after listening to Henderson.
Monalee's race is up in the air currently, but I believe will be in the RSA.
Yanworth won't be coming here according to Alan King.
Petit Mouchoir is very likely to run in the Arkle.
Kemboy probably deserves more respect than he gets but was beaten by a since disappointing Sutton Place.

And I can't really have any of the others on current form.

So, really, aside from Willoughby Court & one of either Invitation Only or Al Boum Photo I don't see much else in the way of Finian's Oscar at least hitting a place, and potentially better.

I am very much putting the trust in Tizzard to have sorted his breathing and jumping out, but I'm convinved IF he turns up then all is well, because last season he missed the festival because of a 'minor' set back, so he won't turn up unless 100%.

12/1 NRNB is a huge price IMO, and one I am now keen on taking.

[jkite16]

I can't believe I am going to say this, but I can genuinely see Finian's Oscar turning up and running a fair race in this now.

I agree CoD, and I hope you're right as Finians Oscar in this is a leg of what looks a very strong Lucky 15 for me:

Samcro @ 16's
UDS @ 8's
Might Bite @8's
Finians Oscar @ 12's

I hope Tizzard gets FO to the fez safe and sound and at least gives us a glimmer of hope!

[archie]

I think this is an Irish banker in the Betbright Cup.

[ComplyOrDie]

I think this is an Irish banker in the Betbright Cup.

Which horse in particular do you like for this? Besides possibly Kemboy, as you'll undoubtedly like him

[archie]

Which horse in particular do you like for this? Besides possibly Kemboy, as you'll undoubtedly like him

If he gets there I'd be hopeful that Kemboy could place but, essentially, I'd expect any of the top 3 in the Flogas to be good enough and Ruby's choice to go off favourite.

[SeanRock]

Based on the current vibes from the Mullins/HdB's camps would lead you to believe that only one of the top three from the Flogas will end up here in the JLT. That being Invitation Only.

He ran a nice race in Leopardstown last weekend but i think Willoughby Court will make the 2m 5f around Cheltenham a proper test bowling along in front as he did in the Neptune last year and Invitation Only may struggle to get home.

There's no juice left in his price but I don't really get the negative opions on him many seem to have. I was anticipating him not performing to his best in the Dipper. Giving away 5lbs to Yanworth and the heavy going meant he couldn't realistically apply his front running tactics that he seems to relish. That coupled with Paulings bad run of form for January due to illness in the stable means i can put a line through that race.

He's been there & done it over 2m 5f in March last year against a very well fancied and talented horse in Neon Wolf and found loads for pressure up the hill. He looked the type to me to be even stronger over fences and in the main has jumped very well this season after taking a few fences to warm to his task on debut. The form of that race has worked out well with Cassablanca Mix winning well next time out and falling when having the race won on her next start. I won't be looking elsewhere in the JLT and I'm happy with the price i took after the Dipper.

[mayo]

Only just noticed this on Yanworth ( from Jan 18)

"He will go straight to Cheltenham, but I don't know what race for," King said."He definitely won't run beforehand and we will keep him fresh and he will either go for the RSA Chase or the Stayers' Hurdle.

"He is in very good form and has just been doing the odd canter and is ticking away. The Stayers' Hurdle is worth fortunes this year and his form with Supasundae puts him right in the mix, so we will have to see what they want to do.

"We will have a chat and decide, but I will need to know what to do in good time so I know what to do with him schooling. He has not been back to see Yogi (Breisner) since his last run, but he will do. He has not done a lot since Cheltenham

Which might mean Modus shows up here ? Runs today.

[Scooby91]

Only just noticed this on Yanworth ( from Jan 18)



Which might mean Modus shows up here ? Runs today.

I think hell get beat today. But hope he dosent . A very thorough test all be it a small field. He's not entitled to win

[Folski]

I think hell get beat today. But hope he dosent . A very thorough test all be it a small field. He's not entitled to win

Have to wonder why the Pipes are running Kong’s Sock when he’s off 143.

[Scooby91]

Have to wonder why the Pipes are running Kong’s Sock when he’s off 143.

He needs to get back and running, a graduatuon chase is made for horses like him. would be the perfect start for me. Theres no way they'd stick him straight in a big field handicap on his 1st run back. Hes a horse of potential but no experience of the english fences or race pace of an english track. The previous owner made the mistake of losing his novice status.

[Kevloaf]

Colin Tizzard is hopeful Finian's Oscar will be fit to run at next month's Cheltenham Festival after undergoing a wind operation

The dual Grade One-winning hurdler looked an exciting addition to the chasing ranks after winning on his first two starts over fences at Chepstow and Cheltenham, but was well beaten in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown before being touched off by Benatar in a Grade Two at Ascot.

He was pulled up on his return to the smaller obstacles in last month's Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, but Tizzard is keeping his fingers crossed he will bounce back to his best in the spring.

He said: "He has had his palate cauterised and is back cantering.

"With a minor operation like that, you can have them back running in a month. He should be fine for Cheltenham."

Finian's Oscar is entered in the Stayers' Hurdle, the JLT Novices' Chase and the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase at Prestbury Park in March.

[Kevloaf]

I hope the wind op works as well for Finian's Oscar as it did for Vision Des Flos today....

[ComplyOrDie]

I hope the wind op works as well for Finian's Oscar as it did for Vision Des Flos today....

Tizzard has got his yard fired up now haha!

All systems go for Cheltenham where FO absolutely hacks up.....

[SeanRock]

I hope the wind op works as well for Finian's Oscar as it did for Vision Des Flos today....

The horse is afraid of jumping fences, a wind op won’t help him with that ��