Arkle/Marsh/RSA/NH Chase - Novice Chasers 2021 (new)

[darlojim]

ELIXIR D’AINAY

He travels very well in his races, he's quite a keen type of horse. He probably wants more than two miles as well but we'll start him on the shorter side and see how he goes.

We tried him over longer trips and he was very keen, maybe fences will steady him up and we can utilise his speed better. We'll work our way out in trip as the season progresses as he's a horse with a lot of potential.

[Kevloaf]

ELIXIR D’AINAY

He travels very well in his races, he's quite a keen type of horse. He probably wants more than two miles as well but we'll start him on the shorter side and see how he goes.

We tried him over longer trips and he was very keen, maybe fences will steady him up and we can utilise his speed better. We'll work our way out in trip as the season progresses as he's a horse with a lot of potential.

Glad to hear chasing is the plan!

Can't wait to see him jump a fence.

[Topofthegame2021]

Glad to hear chasing is the plan!

Can't wait to see him jump a fence.

doesnt sound very Arkle bound, thoughts?

[Kevloaf]

doesnt sound very Arkle bound, thoughts?

You'd say Marsh more likely from those comments, but I expect him to start over 2, win over 2, and shorten for both races.

I've backed him for both, and would advise anyone to do the same.

Unexcepted for the same connections he does say will stick to 2m, which may also have an impact on it.

[Craigy14]

LORD ROYAL

He won very impressively in Clonmel last year then disappointed when I brought him back to the track a bit too soon at Punchestown, but he looks every inch a natural born chaser.

He could be in the staying division as he's matured hugely. He's grown and strengthened and I'd say as he goes out in trip he could get better and better

Not wanting to read too much into mullins comments but this struck me. Considering he’s ran over staying hurdle trips could he be one for the 4miler?

Possibly one just for a free bet, 33/1 with sky.

[Kevloaf]

You'd say Marsh more likely from those comments, but I expect him to start over 2, win over 2, and shorten for both races.

I've backed him for both, and would advise anyone to do the same.

Unexcepted for the same connections he does say will stick to 2m, which may also have an impact on it.

The 40/1 with PP, very, very fair....

[Kevloaf]

LORD ROYAL

He won very impressively in Clonmel last year then disappointed when I brought him back to the track a bit too soon at Punchestown, but he looks every inch a natural born chaser.

He could be in the staying division as he's matured hugely. He's grown and strengthened and I'd say as he goes out in trip he could get better and better

Not wanting to read too much into mullins comments but this struck me. Considering he’s ran over staying hurdle trips could he be one for the 4miler?

Possibly one just for a free bet, 33/1 with sky.

Caught my eye as well, not a bad shout with the free bet angle.

[Craigy14]

Caught my eye as well, not a bad shout with the free bet angle.

I know Patrick has his eye on TBG but he seems a bit kore classier to my eye.

If he has a couple he feels are proper stayers then definitely worth a free dart or 2.

I await Sky’s Monday

[Craigy14]

The 40/1 with PP, very, very fair....

Followed this as well, no brainer given comments.

I know comments ain’t everything but with same owner and trainer having 1 that defo needs the minimum, until he misfires I’ll see Elixir going up in trip. If unexcepted misfires I’d expect Elixir to drop.

[jono]

I'm pretty upbeat on Elixir D'Ainay still being a potential Mullins Arkle horse on those comments. At least until he proves otherwise. Keen...has speed.
Talk of going further is often thrown in with Mullins. One example, after Footpads chase debut (where he shortened to the Arkle favourite:

it was a good performance; he is a very natural jumper at home and he did the same here. He's as good as novice as I've seen schooling at home and I thought it was a good performance for a first time out novice. I'd imagine we'll look at the Drinmore; the way he was going there I'd be happy to stick at two miles but the Drinmore is two-and-a-half so we'll look at that. He has no problem going two-and-a-half as he was a two-and-a-half mile hurdler. He is so well balanced jumping and is a complete natural.

He just proved himself over 2 miles, to not need to step up. Which is what i'm hoping will happen with Elixir.
Besides we all know you need a stayer to win the Arkle

The 40/1 for the Marsh with Paddy Power highlighted by a few already is absolutely worth taking though.

It actually amazes me, considering his back form that you can back him still at 33's and 40's.
Absolutely no idea why he is so overlooked in the markets compared to many. Might be the biggest value still out there across all races

[Kevloaf]

It's a renowned rough race,and was actually moved in the programme off the back of deaths in it.
It wouldn't surprise me if the trainer thinks twice about running a novice in the race in the future.
All's I'm saying, and not quite nonsense me thinks.
It's a lot closer to nonsense to suggest they maybe already thinking of the grand annual with a four year old who's just won his maiden that you haven't seen run

Just got round to watching it, was very impressive. I do't like watching horses jump a fence from behind, I don't find that anywhere near as useful but he did look really good.

I just fully expect better horses to be able to live with him and pick him off (like in the Triumph - not that I think he was at his best in the Triumph, or that they're definitely better horses) just the style he'll run, a better horse in a festival Grade 1 will pick him off.

If we get a weak year again where a few market leaders hit the wayside, he may well end up a lively contender.

No way they're thinking the Grand Annual after that performance though, so my initial reaction is that he's better than that.

Won't take 25/1 about him the Arkle because I don't see his price crashing, but if that was NRNB I'd have already had it before posting this...

[Quevega]

Just got round to watching it, was very impressive. I do't like watching horses jump a fence from behind, I don't find that anywhere near as useful but he did look really good.

I just fully expect better horses to be able to live with him and pick him off (like in the Triumph - not that I think he was at his best in the Triumph, or that they're definitely better horses) just the style he'll run, a better horse in a festival Grade 1 will pick him off.

If we get a weak year again where a few market leaders hit the wayside, he may well end up a lively contender.

No way they're thinking the Grand Annual after that performance though, so my initial reaction is that he's better than that.

Won't take 25/1 about him the Arkle because I don't see his price crashing, but if that was NRNB I'd have already had it before posting this...

I don't fancy him for the arkle at all.
But wouldn't rule him out completely.

[Saxon Warrior]

Sporting John and Fusil Raffles (step up from 2M) are entered in the Class 2 Novice Chase over 2M4F at Cheltenham on Friday.

Plenty of opposition of a reasonable quality in there too.

[Kevloaf]

Sporting John and Fusil Raffles (step up from 2M) are entered in the Class 2 Novice Chase over 2M4F at Cheltenham on Friday.

Plenty of opposition of a reasonable quality in there too.

I hope Sporting John runs. He was one of the biggest disappointments at the festival IMO. I'd have liked to see him right up Envoi Allen's jacksy.

[Lobos]

LORD ROYAL
He won very impressively in Clonmel last year then disappointed when I brought him back to the track a bit too soon at Punchestown, but he looks every inch a natural born chaser.

He could be in the staying division as he's matured hugely. He's grown and strengthened and I'd say as he goes out in trip he could get better and better.