Arkle 2019

[Kevloaf]

Had my first antepost bet in this race... Lalor at 33/1 (bet365).

I was at Aintree when he won the bumper the year before last and was really taken with him that day. He's an absolute brute of a horse and looks every inch a 2m Chaser. Really think fences could be the making of him, and the fact he is with such a small stable means he's overpriced and somewhat overlooked in my eyes.

Bit of an in and out season over hurdles last time, he looked as if he might win all three of his races at Exeter, Ascot and Chelts, travelling like the best horse in the race, only failing to pick up close home each time. Great to see him handle Chelts so well in the race he was beaten by Western Ryder, and the pair were nicely clear and showed too much toe for Summerville Boy.

Obviously he disappointed in the Betfair Hurdle, but was friendless in the market and happy to forgive him one bad run. Bounced back to form in no uncertain terms in the Grade 1 Novice at Aintree and that was an excellent performance. Struggle to really see why he's a bigger price than Vision de Flos personally.

I think he has been running well on soft ground, but will likely be better on better ground. Set to make his chase debut at Exeter next week in the race Yanworth won last year. Obviously there is a danger he could be a JLT horse, but he's not available in the Any Race markets and breeding does suggest the minimum trip will be the way to go with him.

Such a good case in fact, I have also added this one. I missed that Lalor was going chasing but with that in absolutely no doubt, a g1 hurdler is under estimated at 33/1 as you say.

Worth bringing up again as it's pretty spot on so far.

On the trip, Kayley Woollacott did say today they've always thought he'd get further but at the moment no need to try as he's doing what he's doing over the minimum trip and although they originally thought Aintree suits so well, now he's proven he can handle Cheltenham the Arkle has to be on their minds.

On paper it 'looked' a really strong race today, with Defi Du Seuil and Pingshou Grade 1 hurdle winners, Claimintakengorgan a grade 2 hurdle winner and Dynamite Dollars had better collateral form than any of them as chasers... I hope it works out that way.

[Viking Flagship]

Credit to Amy Murphy and Kayley Woollacott. Things might be different come the day but, in a Cheltenham world dominated by messrs Mullins, Elliott and Henderson, 2 relatively unknown British female trainers have the top 2 in the betting for the Arkle. I’m on neither as things stand but GOOD LUCK to them. It’s great for racing.

[charlie]

Credit to Amy Murphy and Kayley Woollacott. Things might be different come the day but, in a Cheltenham world dominated by messrs Mullins, Elliott and Henderson, 2 relatively unknown British female trainers have the top 2 in the betting for the Arkle. I’m on neither as things stand but GOOD LUCK to them. It’s great for racing.

Well said VF, great post. Now come on Draconien

[Can't Catch Me]

He did that well but it would be a disappointing Arkle (which at the moment this year’s could easily be!) if he was good enough to win it

Dont really understand that comment FM?! The horse had some pieces of excellent form in bumpers and over hurdles.... He's always looked like chasing would be his game. Isnt it a bit early to write him off as a poor Arkle winner after one run over fences?

He also looked a big baby last year and travelled like the best horse in almost every race he ran in... but has really matured now. He's in the 'could be anything' camp over fences for me.

With regard to his price, I think its more than fair enough personally... Especially when you compare it to Kalashnikov. He's just proved he can handle the course and distance and has beaten some fair types with the minimum of fuss. I'd say that he's currently achieved the most of anything in the division.

[Can't Catch Me]

Cheers Kev.... just got to win now

[darlojim]

I must say if i HAD to be on an English horse then it would be Lalor over Kalashnikov all day. Track and distance proven, jumping was excellent and price is more than fair considering there is currently nothing in Ireland who has done the business on the track yet and are more about hype/potential.

Looking back at Kalashnikovs debut I think his jumping was a little sloppy and wasnt fluent at many, fair enough he could easily improve but he will have to if he is to not lose half a length at each fence in comparison to Lalor and others probably

[Faugheen_Machine]

Dont really understand that comment FM?! The horse had some pieces of excellent form in bumpers and over hurdles.... He's always looked like chasing would be his game. Isnt it a bit early to write him off as a poor Arkle winner after one run over fences?

He also looked a big baby last year and travelled like the best horse in almost every race he ran in... but has really matured now. He's in the 'could be anything' camp over fences for me.

With regard to his price, I think its more than fair enough personally... Especially when you compare it to Kalashnikov. He's just proved he can handle the course and distance and has beaten some fair types with the minimum of fuss. I'd say that he's currently achieved the most of anything in the division.

That wasn't me CCM. FTM not FM

I'm in agreement with you and took the 10/1 straight after the race. He should be shorter than Kalashnikov imo.

[Can't Catch Me]

That wasn't me CCM. FTM not FM

I'm in agreement with you and took the 10/1 straight after the race. He should be shorter than Kalashnikov imo.

Haha.. sorry did realise Id put FM, but knew it wasnt you!

[Kevloaf]

Cheers Kev.... just got to win now

Haha, oh I know that feeling

Going to play devil's advocate now though - will the form for Lalor today, end up being pretty poor?

Defi Du Seuil could well be one season wonder that never makes it in open company.
Claimantakingforgan had moderate hurdles form and now looks in need of a step up to prove his ability.
Pingshou is 8 going on 9 and may never reach his potential after injury...and
Dynamite Dollars is just a classic Nicholls' chaser that inevitably will be plotted quite well but be WAY SHORT of the top grade?

[FaugheenTheMachine]

Draconian “He impressed me a lot that day (Punchestown) and if he can reproduce that level of form he should have a good season over fences. Two miles will probably suit”
Cilaos Emery “He was a Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler and has the potential to make into a smart novice chaser”

[charlie]

Haha, oh I know that feeling

Going to play devil's advocate now though - will the form for Lalor today, end up being pretty poor?

Defi Du Seuil could well be one season wonder that never makes it in open company.
Claimantakingforgan had moderate hurdles form and now looks in need of a step up to prove his ability.
Pingshou is 8 going on 9 and may never reach his potential after injury...and
Dynamite Dollars is just a classic Nicholls' chaser that inevitably will be plotted quite well but be WAY SHORT of the top grade?

We always need devils advocate to stop us getting carried away! Nothing (yet) has emerged in the market from Ireland but I couldn't help but be very impressed. You are right to question what he beat Kev, but it was the manner of victory that caught the eye. Travelled and jumped well, pinged the last and won going away on his chase debut. He should improve for that run and you can't help but think were he trained by Henderson, Mullins, Nichols etc he would be clear favourite. Looks like he will be versatile ground wise which is another tick in the plus column

[charlie]

Draconian “He impressed me a lot that day (Punchestown) and if he can reproduce that level of form he should have a good season over fences. Two miles will probably suit”
Cilaos Emery “He was a Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler and has the potential to make into a smart novice chaser”

Despite having a decent price about Lalor I'm hoping WPM unleashes Draconien soon cause he could be my biggest winner in this by a long way.

[jono]

Superb shout CCM. That was as impressive performance as you could hope for from a novice. I held off backing him beforehand despite your write up, I was at Fontwell yesterday so slow to react, thought I got on the 25/1 any race with WH after but they just clipped it as I went to place the bet. Would love to him backed at the big prices.

Far and away the best performance by a novice so far this season. I do think the form of that race will amount to very little if anything come March so the substance won't amount to much but it was all about the style and to do that first time out over fences at Cheltenham was incredible really. Even the likes of Henderson, Nichols and co will very rarely if ever throw a novice, however good in around the Cheltenham fences first time out as it's such a tough test. Now clearly it wasn't the plan for Lalor either but that was a huge chasing debut.

Interesting that Kayley said Cheltenham probably wasn't on their radar but they'd have to consider it after that. Impossible not to go for the Arkle now though

[doctorwu]

It is indeed great news to see 2 young English trainers with ammunition to take on the best of the Irish in The Arkle at the Fez.
Lets hope they don't look for easier targets elsewhere.

[Scooby91]

Gone back in big on cilaos emery at 28/1 any race.
Top rated over hurdles has a huge record in this. Add in to me he looks a chaser all over.

I dont need fancy comments hes sound and Novice chasing is all I need to know