2021 National Hunt Novices Chase

[Ray]

Personally like court maid still, and watching the latest road to cheltenham i was suprised, i thought she was given another race at cheltenham12 days after her porterstown win and i remember thinking, well maybe the turn around has caught up with her (although she was staying on very well up the hill!) but i tottaly forgot she ran 3 miles on heavy ground at punchestown 2 weeks prior to the porterstown win! So shes had a very busy 3 weeks..i think shes is an out and out proven stayer and with the allowance will be there or thereabouts on the day her runs have been on heavy, soft and soft aswell so its been tough

[taylorch1990]

Cheers fellas take on board the input that's why I like this forum other people being more subjective about horses. Still think she'll have a big pot in her at some point in a staying chase.

[Hurdles or chasing]

What are people doing who have backed The Big Getaway for this?

Still has to run over 3m to qualify and not entered at the DRF over 2m4 which is odd for Mullins.

Anybody know how many more opportunities he has to qualify?

Think I'm talking myself into cashing out.

[FinalFurlong91]

That he's not entered in the flogas would give me hope he was coming here if I was a backer, well either that or he's had a setback

Surely if the marsh or RSA were the plan he'd at least have an entry in the flogas

[Lobos]

That he's not entered in the flogas would give me hope he was coming here if I was a backer, well either that or he's had a setback

Surely if the marsh or RSA were the plan he'd at least have an entry in the flogas

He's a huge beast so probably doesn't take too much Racing. I'd have no worries him going straight to Cheltenham for the Marsh now. I can't see him going anywhere else.

[ComplyOrDie]

He's a huge beast so probably doesn't take too much Racing. I'd have no worries him going straight to Cheltenham for the Marsh now. I can't see him going anywhere else.

Pretty sure Willie has already said he takes a fair bit of training/racing to get up to scratch, because of his size.

[Lobos]

Pretty sure Willie has already said he takes a fair bit of training/racing to get up to scratch, because of his size.

Always a very difficult one with these extra big horses. Push them too much and they break down. Not enough and they can't get race fit. Impossible life being a trainer!

[Middle_Of_March]

Part two of the ‘Dickie Diver road to National Hunt Chase glory’ is on Saturday at Warwick. Very excited to watch it.

The opening episode was a lovely teaser into the storyline. The horse showed his well-being before deciding to run on gamely in the latter stages and give viewers a glimpse of his potential as a four mile horse. Was exactly what those of us on from the summer were hoping to see.

In episode two at Warwick I’m hopeful once again to see the horse running on late but also to show some improvement with his jumping at a tricky test such as Warwick in preparation for that 5:30 race on the Tuesday in 9 weeks time.

The final episode in said 9 weeks culminates in a rampant celebration from connections as the good thing wins hard held on the snaff after the rest of the field are out on their feet turning for home. Dickie Diver however turns in full of running and just had to clear the last. The viewing public (all watching by from home of course) hold their breath... he’s over! What a performance! Have you ever seen a horse hard held win a National Hunt Chase before? The ‘Dickie Diver road to National Hunt Chase glory’ is one hell of a three part story! Heard a rumour next year theirs a sequal being planned called ‘Dickie Diving my way to Gold Cup stardom’. Exciting!

Who saw an episode cancellation in the series planner?

But we all love a plot twist and the behind the scenes extra content let us know that he’s being aimed at the race (as we suspected). I look forward to the new episode 2 for the horse coming out in a couple of weeks. Have series linked it to remind myself before the off to go in again as I really do believe this show is going all the way to the top. A potential 2022 BAFTA nominee? Either way, the ‘Dickie Diver road to National Hunt glory’ series will end in a motionless Derek O Connor, a celebratory Nicky Henderson and a delirious Middle_Of_March when the good thing pisses in at 5:37pm on March 16th 2021.

[Saxon Warrior]

Who saw an episode cancellation in the series planner?

But we all love a plot twist and the behind the scenes extra content let us know that he’s being aimed at the race (as we suspected). I look forward to the new episode 2 for the horse coming out in a couple of weeks. Have series linked it to remind myself before the off to go in again as I really do believe this show is going all the way to the top. A potential 2022 BAFTA nominee? Either way, the ‘Dickie Diver road to National Hunt glory’ series will end in a motionless Derek O Connor, a celebratory Nicky Henderson and a delirious Middle_Of_March when the good thing pisses in at 5:37pm on March 16th 2021.

It won’t be Derek though, this year, will it?

[Middle_Of_March]

It won’t be Derek though, this year, will it?

Oh so it wouldn’t. Forgot about that.

Who do we reckon then for JP and Hendo? Coleman? Nico? Mark Walsh?

[Istabraq]

I wouldn’t run away with the idea amateurs won’t be allowed at Cheltenham, 8 weeks is a long time much can change...

[Saxon Warrior]

I wouldn’t run away with the idea amateurs won’t be allowed at Cheltenham, 8 weeks is a long time much can change...

I think “no Amateur riders in racing, to keep it open as an elite sport” will still be in place in mid-March and would be odds on fav, at the moment,

Thing change though, but at this minute - thinking ahead - with what’s going on with new virus variants, the speed of vaccines etc, that it will stay in place for at least 8 more weeks.

[Istabraq]

There’s a whole thread on the subject somewhere SW so I won’t turn this into a political thread, but as punters all I’m saying is these angles should be considered, personally I think there is sufficient time for discussion to agree exceptions and there is an argument the National Hunt Chase and Kim Muir are elite events...

[charlie]

I wouldn’t run away with the idea amateurs won’t be allowed at Cheltenham, 8 weeks is a long time much can change...

True, could well lift that mid-feb / early March. I'd quite like to see amateurs back to be honest. Galvin is an important winner for me and I know Gordon will secure the best amateur in Jamie Codd, so professionals might encourage more trainers to run better horses in the race and I don't want the competition. I understand some have praised it as the right move for the race, but I like the amateurs being on and think the new restrictions / shorter distance go a long way to making it a better race.

[The King Pimm]

I think the replacement of amateur riders due to Covid restrictions will encourage better horses to this race this year. In any normal year Galvin would look bomb proof at this stage but can see a few big names turning up here this year. Looking forward to Thursday to see whose still in the mix