Arkle 2019

[Kevloaf]

Decided I would back Defi Du Seuil for the Arkle - 16/1 e/w (365 - obviously).

Personally I think he'll go to the JLT however this article name checks both so I'll get him onside for now.

Philip Hobbs is weighing up his options for Defi Du Seuil after he impressively got off the mark over fences at the second time of asking.


We are discussing several options. Kempton is a sharp track and it is not ideal, so he probably won't go there (Wayward Lad Novices' Chase on December 27).

There is a race at Cheltenham on New Year's Day (Dipper Novices' Chase) and he could go for that, but there are various options.

We don't know about his trip yet, either, so we could look at both the Arkle and JLT

Dipper winners:
2012 - Champion Court - 2nd in JLT
2013 - no race
2014 - OScar Whiskey - Fell in the JLT
2015 - Ptit Zig - 5th in the JLT
2016 - Seeyouatmidnight - 7th in the RSA
2017 - Whisper - 2nd in the RSA
2018 - Yanworth - 6th in the Stayers Hurdle

Doesn't scream Arkle runner!

[doctorwu]

Kev,
As much as I was a big fan of the horse as a 4yo. I make it a rule not to back Triumph winners the next 2 seasons. Defi couldnt possibly be competitive in an Arkle.

[Kevloaf]

Kev,
As much as I was a big fan of the horse as a 4yo. I make it a rule not to back Triumph winners the next 2 seasons. Defi couldnt possibly be competitive in an Arkle.

Next 2 seasons? Plenty of wins from apples jade and footpad missed then.

First season has some logic to it. The 6yo season doesn't?

[ComplyOrDie]

Decided I would back Defi Du Seuil for the Arkle - 16/1 e/w (365 - obviously).

Personally I think he'll go to the JLT however this article name checks both so I'll get him onside for now.



Dipper winners:
2012 - Champion Court - 2nd in JLT
2013 - no race
2014 - OScar Whiskey - Fell in the JLT
2015 - Ptit Zig - 5th in the JLT
2016 - Seeyouatmidnight - 7th in the RSA
2017 - Whisper - 2nd in the RSA
2018 - Yanworth - 6th in the Stayers Hurdle

Doesn't scream Arkle runner!

Kev, the Hobbs quote says it all to me, if Kempton is not ideal because it is a sharp track what makes anyone think he'll be able to handle the pace of an Arkle.

I was on him LTO as he was up in trip and for me don't see him back down in trip, he'll end up being taken off his feet, like a certain Finian's Oscar (sorry to remind you) IMHO.

[Kevloaf]

Kev, the Hobbs quote says it all to me, if Kempton is not ideal because it is a sharp track what makes anyone think he'll be able to handle the pace of an Arkle.

I was on him LTO as he was up in trip and for me don't see him back down in trip, he'll end up being taken off his feet, like a certain Finian's Oscar (sorry to remind you) IMHO.

Quite different tests though Kempton and Cheltenham.
The cliche goes "you need to stay to win an Arkle (or Supreme) (or Champion Hurdle)... etc etc.

I'm expecting to cash this out in early Jan.

[ComplyOrDie]

Quite different tests though Kempton and Cheltenham.
The cliche goes "you need to stay to win an Arkle (or Supreme) (or Champion Hurdle)... etc etc.

I'm expecting to cash this out in early Jan.

Of course, but it's the pace of his jumping that will be affected whether it be 2m @ Kempton or @ the festival, he'll be too far back in the Arkle (because of his jumping) to not be able to worry the ones at the front IMO.

We will see next time out, and there is a chance it 'may' improve but I wouldn't be backing him now in the hope it does.

[jack1092]

Couldnt have him on my mind for this tbh. He beat Black Op- who will have needed it+ Topofthegame who gave them all a massive headstart... Granted the division seems a little hard to judge at the moment.

[Kevloaf]

I end up defending horses I don't even like..... and this is just a small niggle....

but to "not have him on your mind?" He won the Triumph --- clearly deserves at least to be on your mind as a previous festival winner.

Backing previous festival winners blind is profitable.

[Quevega]

I end up defending horses I don't even like..... and this is just a small niggle....

but to "not have him on your mind?" He won the Triumph --- clearly deserves at least to be on your mind as a previous festival winner.

Backing previous festival winners blind is profitable.

RE The good doctor - Ignoring Triumph winners for 2 seasons is daft. So you steam in in the third season then ?

I think Hobbs likes the arkle.
Stayers definitely win the arkle, but they have to jump and travel really well.
Jockey availability and jockey involvement in the decision will be crucial with this decision I think.
And Defi's jumping needs to improve significantly.

But I hope he goes arkle (on at 28-1) and I hope he gets a jockey that can boot the horse into a fence, unfortunately I don't believe that's Barry, and Johnson is likely booked for Lalor as it stands.
But a long way to go yet.

[Kevloaf]

Stuart Edmunds is relishing the prospect of taking on the boys with his stable star Maria's Benefit in the 32Red.com Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton on December 27. The smart mare is on target for a clash with Arkle favourite Kalashnikov and several others of note in the Grade Two.


Edmunds said: "The ground at the moment is good to soft and if it stays like that it would be lovely. We've got to take them all on at some point and I think on a flat track it is probably the best place to take him (Kalashnikov) on."


Maria's Benefit has won her first two over fences, including a Listed event at Market Rasen, although that form took a knock when runner-up Jester Jet was well beaten next time Warwick.


"She was very good at Bangor, but she was probably coming to the end of her tether and dossing in front," said Edmunds.


"I spoke to Robbie Dunne (Jester Jet's jockey) and he said she wasn't at the races that day and just ran a bit flat. She had an easy week after Bangor and is now back in maximum work, I couldn't be happier with her. She's had two or three schools and I've not felt the need to go for an away day, she's in great form and I'm very happy with her heading to Kempton."



Nice and bold for anyone who took 40/1 about her, although a little concerning regarding her preferences for a flatter track.

[SAMCRO]

Cilaos Emery entered at Leopardstown 27th in a 2 mile beginners chase.

[thistlecracker]

Cilaos Emery entered at Leopardstown 27th in a 2 mile beginners chase.

About time we seem him

[ComplyOrDie]

Selfishly hoping Voix Du Reve gets beat by Mengli Khan in the Racing Post Novice Chase, as would like them to defer VDR to the JLT please.

Also, I guess it gives Willie a line through Mengli Khan for Getabird & Cilaos Emery too.

[SAMCRO]

Selfishly hoping Voix Du Reve gets beat by Mengli Khan in the Racing Post Novice Chase, as would like them to defer VDR to the JLT please.

Also, I guess it gives Willie a line through Mengli Khan for Getabird & Cilaos Emery too.

Says alot that Ruby is preferring to be at Limerick to ride Getabird than ride Voix Du Reve in the Racing Post Novice Chase.

[ComplyOrDie]

Says alot that Ruby is preferring to be at Limerick to ride Getabird than ride Voix Du Reve in the Racing Post Novice Chase.

I'd say it says nothing if I am honest. Paul has ridden a lot of the Wylies' horses and Paul has also ridden VDR for both his chase wins, so no reason why he would jump off, especially him needing winners for the jockey's title.

Ruby had this to say regarding the jockey's title "There’s not enough racing left for me to get to the numbers required to be champion which has probably led to me being a little more selective. I can’t be champion but Paul [Townend] can. We work in the same place and all I can do is stop him being champion jockey, but I’m not that selfish." so I don't think we can say it matters which meeting Ruby goes to, if anything it should be the other way around.