2021 National Hunt Novices Chase

[Hardy Eustace]

If they can keep his mark under 145 surely the Kim Muir would be the preferred destination?

There is still a question mark for me around the stables form and a couple of OK efforts whilst hendo isnt quite firing could quite easily keep him the right side of 145.

Of course Derek O'connor could ride him in that too so yeah it will be very interesting to see who is onboard should he run on Saturday.

[Kevloaf]

If they can keep his mark under 145 surely the Kim Muir would be the preferred destination?

There is still a question mark for me around the stables form and a couple of OK efforts whilst hendo isnt quite firing could quite easily keep him the right side of 145.

Of course Derek O'connor could ride him in that too so yeah it will be very interesting to see who is onboard should he run on Saturday.

I think if he wins, NH Chase, if he doesn't Kim Muir?

So with rose tinted glasses on no matter what, we're happy

[Faugheen_Machine]

If they can keep his mark under 145 surely the Kim Muir would be the preferred destination?

There is still a question mark for me around the stables form and a couple of OK efforts whilst hendo isnt quite firing could quite easily keep him the right side of 145.

Of course Derek O'connor could ride him in that too so yeah it will be very interesting to see who is onboard should he run on Saturday.

He'd need to get another 2 runs in be eligible for festival handicaps. Time might be against.

[Hardy Eustace]

He'd need to get another 2 runs in be eligible for festival handicaps. Time might be against.

True but we said this about Champagne Platinum last year... still time for it to be done.

[Craigy14]

True but we said this about Champagne Platinum last year... still time for it to be done.

Dickie Diver is a fragile horse as well HE, dodgy knees sure it is.

He also needs it to be soft probably because of his leg problems, which I know we get most of the time this time of year but you can never tell with the weather.

I’d be very surprised if they pushed the horse to have 4 runs from end of Dec-March (including the festival in that count) when he’d been off the track for 20 months.

[Hardy Eustace]

Dickie Diver is a fragile horse as well HE, dodgy knees sure it is.

He also needs it to be soft probably because of his leg problems, which I know we get most of the time this time of year but you can never tell with the weather.

I’d be very surprised if they pushed the horse to have 4 runs from end of Dec-March (including the festival in that count) when he’d been off the track for 20 months.

Fair point Craigy - more likely to get soft ground on the first day too. I am still not sure myself as Hendo isn't renowned for his NHC runners.

Which ever way you look at it he will be of interest wherever he lines up

[Lobos]

From his last race DD looks like he needs 5 miles to me so it's The NHC or nothing I reckon.

[Olliemagern]

Also related to dickie diver does Jp have anything for the race which is obvious atm? A race which is close to his heart and not sure on the stats but tends to have Atleast 1 in it

[ComplyOrDie]

Also related to dickie diver does Jp have anything for the race which is obvious atm? A race which is close to his heart and not sure on the stats but tends to have Atleast 1 in it

I don't think he does OM, no.

[Madmoose]

From his last race DD looks like he needs 5 miles to me so it's The NHC or nothing I reckon.

Thought he jumped well and given a nice educational first ride, the way he ran on in the Albert Bartlett would suggest the NHC would be his type of race and i thought that a few years ago.

[PresentingPercy]

Also related to dickie diver does Jp have anything for the race which is obvious atm? A race which is close to his heart and not sure on the stats but tends to have Atleast 1 in it

Lock's Corner is the only one that springs to mind, but he bombed at Leopardstown over the xmas and hasn't met the criteria of qualifying by placing over 2M7F+ yet. He hit the second last pretty hard when looking to get into contention, I don't think it was stamina that resulted in him pulling up IMO.

I'm keeping eyes peeled for any entries between now and March, but its more likely they aim at a h'cap at festival (Kim Muir) or high value h'cap elsewhere at this moment in time. JJ O'Neill trains.

[Aldie1988]

Has anyone had a look at Happygolucky for this, I'm torn whether to bet as I can't think of who they would jock up.....

Any input would be appreciated

[Lobos]

Has anyone had a look at Happygolucky for this, I'm torn whether to bet as I can't think of who they would jock up.....

Any input would be appreciated

Only that Bailey said he's more likely to come here than anywhere else so at least you know the target. He'll have a decent chance so I'd imagine they'll have plenty of takers jockey wise.

[Aldie1988]

Only that Bailey said he's more likely to come here than anywhere else so at least you know the target. He'll have a decent chance so I'd imagine they'll have plenty of takers jockey wise.

Thanks Lobos, that's good enough for me if it has been mentioned as the target

[charlie]

Has anyone had a look at Happygolucky for this, I'm torn whether to bet as I can't think of who they would jock up.....

Any input would be appreciated

My inclination is to avoid him. I think there will be a lot more quality in this year's renewal than in previous years, and a decent jockey booking is essential (Codd on Le Breuil vs Barry O'Neill on Discorama being the perfect example IMO). Barry is a good jockey and he actually rode for Kim in this last year (Newtide), but he's not a Codd or O'Conner, who would presumably be booked by other trainers. Happygolucky is also ground dependent according to KB and I think there are better bets at 20/1+ than him. Dickie Diver and Longhouse Poet for example can both still be backed at 33/1. DD is entered this weekend so presumably came out his debut race well and he looks all over suited to the 4 miler. Longhouse Poet has already qualified for the race and looks the perfect type for a decent trainer.