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

[ComplyOrDie]

Skelton?

Skelton has just given him some very nice praise...."I haven't ridden many that jump around here like that. He's unreal."

I think Bonjers meant Cobden on Southfield Stone.

[Kevloaf]

Latest Exhibition out over 2m 6 1/2f at Punchestown on Sunday.

I'm starting to get quite excited about him actually. I think he might be the first horse to get me off the fence in the RSA market....but not just yet.

[Kevloaf]

I think Bonjers meant Cobden on Southfield Stone.

Ah yeah, apologies Bonjers was skimming too quickly

[ComplyOrDie]

It was a very nice performance by Protektorat for sure, but I always worry about the Skelton lot, they always seem to be out early to pick up prize money, which is no bad thing for the yard, but not what I'm looking for at the festival.

As it happens, Protektorat was one of my main bets in the Coral Cup, but failed to land a blow unfortunately. Seems like he enjoys his fences though.

[ComplyOrDie]

I'm starting to get quite excited about him actually. I think he might be the first horse to get me off the fence in the RSA market....but not just yet.

Yeah, he's not my biggest winner by any stretch but I do like him, and should probably have him covered more than I do.

My only concern if he is now out twice in almost as many weeks, I just wonder if they are making a play for prize money and striking whilst the iron is hot, which I can not blame them for at all, but does make me question how busy a season he will have prior to the festival.

[jono]

Yeah, he's not my biggest winner by any stretch but I do like him, and should probably have him covered more than I do.

My only concern if he is now out twice in almost as many weeks, I just wonder if they are making a play for prize money and striking whilst the iron is hot, which I can not blame them for at all, but does make me question how busy a season he will have prior to the festival.

Could be something but considering they have made it known they are keen to avoid Envoi Allen, it makes sense, so that’s the Drinmore out of the equation which probably would have been ideal timing. The Florida Pearl is a natural trial to take in for a 3 miler and is probably the only other option before Christmas?

Florida Pearl this weekend
Nevilles Chase at Christmas
3m chase (away from DRF) end of January

would be my guess?

[ComplyOrDie]

Could be something but considering they have made it known they are keen to avoid Envoi Allen, it makes sense, so that’s the Drinmore out of the equation which probably would have been ideal timing. The Florida Pearl is a natural trial to take in for a 3 miler and is probably the only other option before Christmas?

Florida Pearl this weekend
Nevilles Chase at Christmas
3m chase (away from DRF) end of January

would be my guess?

Yeah possibly so Jono

[JackieMoon33]

It was a very nice performance by Protektorat for sure, but I always worry about the Skelton lot, they always seem to be out early to pick up prize money, which is no bad thing for the yard, but not what I'm looking for at the festival.

As it happens, Protektorat was one of my main bets in the Coral Cup, but failed to land a blow unfortunately. Seems like he enjoys his fences though.

I've put him up as a handicapper to follow two years in a row now but that is out the window this season as I nominated the Festival Plate

[Craigy14]

Will end up like Petit Mouchoir and Saint Calvados in the Arkle, won't it

That would be ideal COD, shishkin picking up them both up

[Kevloaf]

I may end up weighting my book so he's the best winner. I like that he's out again so soon, the more experience they can get in races the better (generally) speaking.

Jono's map makes sense, that'd be great to see.

[JackieMoon33]

The Big Breakaway is entered up again on Sunday at Cheltenham over 3m. Nice to see him get another entry although Tizzard is still in a rut with regards to his form. I'm also not sure they'll find any softer ground either as they pulled him from Newbury on the account of that.

Tizzard did have one winner the other day and an impressive one it was too. Oscar Elite won a 2m3f maiden hurdle (20l) at Chepstow and he looked liked he'd only joined the race in the home straight. I doubt he beat much and the ground was heavy, but it was very likeable nonetheless and he's in the notebook now given that he's likely to prefer better ground.

TBB taken up his entry on Sunday. Tizzard still only 5 from 34 (15%) in the last 14 days though and only one of those wins was by a horse making its seasonal reappearance.

[isitmarchyet]

Small update on Dickie Diver from Nicky's Unibet blog

Waiting for some very, very, very soft ground. He has terrible knees so was forced to sit out last season but he’s got a lot of talent and if we can keep him sound, he could still be very exciting.

[Hardy Eustace]

Cant quite get la patriote champion hurdle run out of my head - he was wisest of all and ran with great promise to 2 out. Think he’s slightly overpriced tomorrow so will be backing him at double figure prices.

don’t think tomorrow will have any impact on the Arkle.

[Craigy14]

Small update on Dickie Diver from Nicky's Unibet blog

Frustrating that. If he is kept sound and able to show his class before March Tuesday or Wednesday would be the softest ground (normally).

I’ve got him backed for the 4 miler and RSA but definitely one I’ll need to keep checking as any whiff of a setback cashout will be lost.

[jono]

Small update on Dickie Diver from Nicky's Unibet blog

He's said similar before but with the emphasis on "very, very, very soft ground."
I couldn't touch him for any form of antepost festival bet.

Perhaps they are only wanting to be ultra cautious on his first run(s) back would be my only hope if I had backed,
as in fairness he ran on good to soft in all 3 novice hurdle runs.