Arkle 2020

[Ray]

If they can find a decent prep for Fakir I'd still fancy him to go very close.
Paid the price for sitting off Notebook once but won't be doing that again, but needs a prep...

Would you not be concerned about the weight allowances she wouldnt get come cheltenham, her best chance of beating notebook has sailed

[Istabraq]

Would you not be concerned about the weight allowances she wouldnt get come cheltenham, her best chance of beating notebook has sailed

Sorry I don't understand Ray, Fakir is a gelding...

[Istabraq]

If you're referring to the weight he was in receipt of Notebook over Christmas it was a weight for age allowance as he was a 4yo at the time

[Ray]

Jesus, i thought he was a mare! ..anyway yes he doesnt get those allowances at cheltenham if he lines up in the arkle

[Cash Back]

Good race yesterday but Notebook always had the upper hand i guess. Will boil down to how much improvement Cash Back has in him. Then throw in the variables of Arkle being 1f shorter (i think), different ground (softer may negate Notebooks slightly superior turn of foot) and of course, the hill. Happy to be on at fancy prices but win only as exchange bets. Roll on next month.....

[Istabraq]

Jesus, i thought he was a mare! ..anyway yes he doesnt get those allowances at cheltenham if he lines up in the arkle

No allowance, but the reason they get the allowance is to allow for physical growth/experience, hence the need for JOB to get another run in him before March...

[luisgarciaisgod]

Any quotes from Mullins about Melon after yesterday? Normally after a run like that you'd have to rule him about but Cheltenham form reads 2322. His run yesterday was almost identical to the same race last year.

[darlojim]

Bapaume burst for anyone still clinging onto hope for this or the marsh

[Faugheen_Machine]

Bapaume burst for anyone still clinging onto hope for this or the marsh

Cheers Jim, that does explain why he stopped so suddenly having just started to keep into the race.

Won't be on the ferry though imo

[Quevega]

Bapaume burst for anyone still clinging onto hope for this or the marsh

I'm not sure he meant bubble or blood vessel to be fair.

[darlojim]

I'm not sure he meant bubble or blood vessel to be fair.

ahhh potentially? who knows.. was there ever a bubble for Bapaume though

[Bayoffreedom]

A few thoughts: Notebook, considering he covered half of Leopardstown before the race, travelled strongly, jumped well and was a good winner. He is too short for me right now but am struggling to find much to beat him. I honestly think this is the right race for Itchy Feet: he travels and jumps well and has shown course form. However, it looks like he's going for the March and the trainer has Brewinupastorm for this. That being said the latter needs more experience in my opinion and the slower pace of the March (and higher emphasis on stamina on the New Course) could be a better option for him. it wouldn't be the biggest surprise in the world if they switched plans nearer to the day.
On a more speculative note, I am intrigued about I'm A Game Changer. He stays 2 1/2 mile (something I think you need to do in this race), needs a strongly run race and decent ground. He may not be good enough but has had none of these so far this year. In his first run for Elliott, he was given a very easy race and blew up between the last two. He then fell and then contrived to lose to Tornado Flyer despite running all over him until just after the last. He belted the 2nd last but it didn't stop but then he started running around going to the last; he clearly doesn't like being in front too long but he has more ability than he shown so far over fences. (as an aside Eclair de Beaufeu was 20 lengths behind him in that race). Obviously, he's a tough ride and will need to be produced just right but he's the sort of horse you could see swinging away approaching the last two. At 66/1, he may be worth a closer look.

[Saxon Warrior]

.
On a more speculative note, I am intrigued about I'm A Game Changer. He stays 2 1/2 mile (something I think you need to do in this race), needs a strongly run race and decent ground. He may not be good enough but has had none of these so far this year. In his first run for Elliott, he was given a very easy race and blew up between the last two. He then fell and then contrived to lose to Tornado Flyer despite running all over him until just after the last. He belted the 2nd last but it didn't stop but then he started running around going to the last; he clearly doesn't like being in front too long but he has more ability than he shown so far over fences. (as an aside Eclair de Beaufeu was 20 lengths behind him in that race). Obviously, he's a tough ride and will need to be produced just right but he's the sort of horse you could see swinging away approaching the last two. At 66/1, he may be worth a closer look.

Yes, I am with you on I’m A Game Changer, but which race. I’ve got him in a couple of small stakes multis at 33/1 for the Grand Annual, as I thought his profile may bring him into play, and weight range, for that race. He was entered for the Irish Arkle and the Eclair De Beaufeu 2M handicap this week, but didn’t take up the entries.

[Bayoffreedom]

Yes, I am with you on I’m A Game Changer, but which race. I’ve got him in a couple of small stakes multis at 33/1 for the Grand Annual, as I thought his profile may bring him into play, and weight range, for that race. He was entered for the Irish Arkle and the Eclair De Beaufeu 2M handicap this week, but didn’t take up the entries.

Grand Annual definitely an option; it's supposed to be a decent race for novices but the last one was Alderwood in 2013. Just thinking Elliot hasn't got much for this race

[Quevega]

Just has a little chat with Cod on close bros thread.
But for anyone not in a good space with this race.
You can't go far wrong backing Annamix 25-1 NRNB with Sky (if available)
If it runs Sunday at Punchestown and beats the likes of Zero Ten and Early Doors and Dunvegan, then it'll have form alongside Cash Back.
If it don't win then I reckon it won't travel.