Arkle 2019

[jono]

Kalashnikov entered up at Warwick this Friday (2m beginners chase)

[Faugheen_Machine]

Kalashnikov declared for a novice chase at Warwick tomorrow.

[ComplyOrDie]

It will be a case of making sure Kalashnikov can jump a fence more than anything else, as has hardly anything to beat, based on ratings!

[Kevloaf]

Not the most excited I've been for an Arkle favourite to make his chase debut by a long stretch but IF he improves for chasing he'll be in the mix in top races. He might be if he's the same as his hurdle level, but we won't find that out tomorrow

[Faugheen_Machine]

Not the most excited I've been for an Arkle favourite to make his chase debut by a long stretch but IF he improves for chasing he'll be in the mix in top races. He might be if he's the same as his hurdle level, but we won't find that out tomorrow

I was just thinking the same earlier wrt him making his debut. If he wins impressively the bookies will no doubt cut him by a point or two as well.

[Can't Catch Me]

Lalor has been held back by the ground like many others, but Kayley Wollacott has confirmed in her Betway Blog that he will be aimed at the Arkle Trial at Cheltenham on Paddy Power weekend. Pleased with that news, but as she mentions, shame he hasnt had a prep run... will be a tough ask to win this on debut.

Lalor winning the Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree was a day we’ll never forget, it was hugely emotional.

He’s been in great form over the summer, has really strengthened up and has enjoyed the weather. He’s been schooling really well over fences and we’ll be aiming him at some of the big Grade 1 prizes in the spring.

Richard [Johnson] has schooled him twice now and he’s been really pleased with him. Last week we schooled him at Philip Hobbs’ yard on grass for the first time and we were all delighted with how it went.

The dry weather has been very frustrating, although it’s the same for everyone.

There’s hardly been any rain and we wouldn’t want to run him on anything quicker than the slower side of good.

We were hoping to start at Exeter but it was far too quick. We then planned to go to Uttoxeter but it’s good-to-firm there which is crazy seeing as we’re now in November.

Having looked at the programme book, we’re now planning to go to the Racing Post Arkle Trial at Cheltenham on Sunday 18 November.

It will be good to give him a sight of the Cheltenham fences, although obviously we would have liked to have got a run into him first.

I’m sure quite a few will be turning up, so we’ll just treat it as a first day out and see how he gets on before making a plan.

A race like the Arkle in March is an obvious target, although we may decide nearer the time to focus on Aintree where he’s won for the past two years.

He’s a really exciting horse and we can’t wait to get him going over fences.

[charlie]

I was just thinking the same earlier wrt him making his debut. If he wins impressively the bookies will no doubt cut him by a point or two as well.

Some bookies can't go much shorter. Coral have him as a 9/2 shot which is a ludicrous price IMO.

[Scooby91]

Kalshnikov was good there, settled beautifully and had plenty left in the tank when crossing the line . Well done to anyone who's got a decent price on him for this.

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

As a backer was reasonably happy with that although if I was looking to oppose him some of his jumping may give you cause for optimism (no doubt he'll learn plenty). Interestingly Bet365 pushed him out to 8s straight after the race before bringing him back in again, which suggests they at least were not overly impressed (unless it was an oversight).

[ComplyOrDie]

As a backer was reasonably happy with that although if I was looking to oppose him some of his jumping may give you cause for optimism (no doubt he'll learn plenty). Interestingly Bet365 pushed him out to 8s straight after the race before bringing him back in again, which suggests they at least were not overly impressed (unless it was an oversight).

Bet365 cut him to 6/1, that 8/1 is Oddschecker doing 'its thing' again! If he went out to 8/1 with 365 it was for seconds, and an error at that, as was on the market and never saw the 8/1.

Kalashnikov was good enough. I won't be rushing to back him mind.

[Scooby91]

As a backer was reasonably happy with that although if I was looking to oppose him some of his jumping may give you cause for optimism (no doubt he'll learn plenty). Interestingly Bet365 pushed him out to 8s straight after the race before bringing him back in again, which suggests they at least were not overly impressed (unless it was an oversight).

I might have taken a chance with that had I seen it. Wish I took 14s anyway. But I expected there to be a good chance and a hunch that melon went here.

[taylorch1990]

Can't say I was bowled over there by kalashnikov. At the price he's at for this I'd be looking for a foot perfect performance. 5-1 is far too short but anyone on at a decent price good luck to them.

[charlie]

Can't say I was bowled over there by kalashnikov. At the price he's at for this I'd be looking for a foot perfect performance. 5-1 is far too short but anyone on at a decent price good luck to them.

What he said

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

Bet365 cut him to 6/1, that 8/1 is Oddschecker doing 'its thing' again! If he went out to 8/1 with 365 it was for seconds, and an error at that, as was on the market and never saw the 8/1.

Kalashnikov was good enough. I won't be rushing to back him mind.

You are probably right CoD as it would have been an unusual thing to do

[Innoko]

I'd think connections will be delighted with that first time out.