National Hunt Chase (4 miler) 2019

[Innoko]

I have the opposite bet!

You could argue that they would be more suited to the races you suggest.

I can't see it happening in honesty, was thinking out loud....

He did look 'speedier' than Santini though.

[Faugheen_Machine]

I can't see it happening in honesty, was thinking out loud....

He did look 'speedier' than Santini though.

He did and took a pull through the race. Imagine the scenes if that happened

[bobbyvalentino]

In all seriousness, and in the context that Santini is clearly the teachers pet, would it be so crazy?

OK Corral showed plenty of gears there to my eye, and appears to have improved for the good ground. Santini has only ever raced on soft, and the one race with good in the description he was a plugging on 3rd. I know we all put it down to Kempton being a tight track but Santini is more of the relentless galloping type. If the ground came up on the good side I could certainly see them thinking about it.

And we can't say that running in the 4 miler means he isn't a Gold Cup candidate either.

*cue wave of comments about what did he beat*

[Can't Catch Me]

I think its very hard not to talk about the possibility as that was an RSA performance all day long. But they had a clear plan and I dont see why they would change it tbh. The horse hasnt proved he isnt the right type for the 4 Miler today... just that he may be even better than everyone thought.

I think FM makes the most pertinent point about JP loving this race. Id say he would rather win this than the RSA tbh. Edwulf was another classy horse who went for it.

I suppose a lot will depend on whether JP's money is down or not. I've a feeling it might be.

[ComplyOrDie]

It was impressive, the one thing I will say is would you have Secret Investor 6 lengths off of winning an RSA, OK Corral was asked for an effort and it's not as if he won on the bridle.

On a line through Rocky's Treasure you'd say OK Corral has a fair enough chance against Santini, but that was OK Corral's 2nd run over fences, as opposed to Santini's debut, not to mention OK Corral getting 5lb from RT and Santini having to do it off levels.

All exchange money points towards NH Chase for OK Corral and Santini RSA currently.

[bobbyvalentino]

I fully agree with you both, there's a <10% chance of it happening. I don't know at what percentage I define crazy.

[Faugheen_Machine]

I fully agree with you both, there's a <10% chance of it happening. I don't know at what percentage I define crazy.

If JP bought Santini then the chances of it happening would increase

[delsie777]

Lads! It's a plan. A well executed plan. Money down - you spent all day yesterday talking about the price crash, O'Connor delivers exactly the result they expected (with the minimum of fuss incidentally) and everything is in place. Why now would you change the plan. Particularly when the trainer has the RSA favourite, Elliott has a live danger in the RSA and JP has other options if he wants a runner in the RSA.
One of JP's priorities is to win this race for obvious reasons. He will go here and he'll probably win. I've cashed out on the RSA bar a small saver.

[Innoko]

Hannibal would be proud of this plan.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Would you just go straight there after today's run? He was almost foot perfect so I'd be tempted to go without another run.

[boopa]

I was delighted with the way he jumped today and he won it because he was quicker than the others were. That is the interesting bit – that he did them for toe rather than gallop them into the ground.



“He’s a nine-year-old running in novice chases as he had so many problems as a youngster, but we’re on the road now.”

The intriguing booking of leading Irish amateur rider Derek O’Connor suggested connections already had one eye on the four-mile National Hunt Chase at Prestbury Park in March, and bookmakers cut him to as short as 3-1 favourite for that prize off the back of this display.

Henderson added: “As you can guess, the point of Derek O’Connor coming to ride him was that we were thinking about the four miler, and I would think we still are.

“It didn’t look like he was crying out for four miles, but I expect Derek to say we should stick to the plan.

“I would imagine he’ll have one more run (before Cheltenham).”

[bobbyvalentino]

The two prerequisites of outperformance, i) think better than others, and ii) think differently to others

*doesn't apply when owner is legendary gambler and has his dough down

[jonthehammer]

Ok Corral did exactly what I expected today and hacked up, very nice performance indeed and now those who have 33s, 25s etc look to be a sat on a festival hot pot to me.

[delsie777]

Yeah - I wouldn't have thought another run was part of the plan. Barry lines up the Plumpton Bonus - O'Connor takes over for the prep - all roads lead to the Festival. Why risk it? Looked terrific today. I'd imagine Nicky will just keep him ticking over now.

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

Great early shout on OK Corral FM, followed you in with some free bets ages ago, and had a top up straight after his first run. Of course hindsight is a wonderful thing but wished i’d another top up with 365 at 20s, did stick him in some small stake multi’s earlier in the week. Anyway let’s just hope he stays injury free!