Going Chasing / Staying Hurdling.

[somer1]

Ribble Valley going chasing.

https://www.attheraces.com/news/2021/April/12/novice-chase-campaign-planned-for-ribble-valley-next-season

[Lobos]

I agree, but Dan hardly deserves a Pulitzer for telling us that massive unit goes over fences!! Looks all over a future chaser. Will be very interesting to see how he gets on. We see trainers change their minds re trip in the days/weeks leading up to Cheltenham, so I wouldn't pay too much attention to the intermediate trip comment. It gives Dan (like he needs it) leeway to go up or down, depending on how the horse does. Worth noting My Drogo won at Aintree as a 6yo not 5yo so I imagine the dream is novice chasing at 7 then Gold Cup at 8. He's by Milan and what a sire. Says 511 winners from 1158 runners since 1988 on the RP (which seems stupidly good). He has produced speedsters (like Jezki) but tends to produce far more that want staying trips. To me that's what My Drogo looks like, but they have noted he is quite highly strung, so perhaps his temperament and how he takes to chasing will dictate what trip suits him best.

As they are 'minding' him next season do you not have it in the back of your head (like me) that he might miss Cheltenham again and run at Aintree in a soft race again over 2 or 3 miles and then take in the early GC trials before going for the big one in 2023?

[Hurricane fly]

If they miss Cheltenham with him again they might aswell change his name to My Waiting Patiently.

[Priceiskey]

If they miss Cheltenham with him again they might aswell change his name to My Waiting Patiently.

Agree if he doesn’t go to the festival I’ll be shocked. Not messing about with a horse of this calibre.

[Lobos]

Agree if he doesn’t go to the festival I’ll be shocked. Not messing about with a horse of this calibre.

Shocked? I wouldn't be. His target is the GC not the Marsh or RSA. I do hope he turns up as we all want the best horses there but he doesn't need to.

[Quevega]

Shocked? I wouldn't be. His target is the GC not the Marsh or RSA. I do hope he turns up as we all want the best horses there but he doesn't need to.

Skelton needs to try and win a graded race at Cheltenham before thinking about a Gold Cup.

To be fair to him. I think he knows and understands that too.

And is not stupid or arrogant enough to think (if the Gold cup is the eventual aim) that they could skip Cheltenham in his novice year by design.

[Hurricane fly]

At some point you have to race a competitive race at Cheltenham. Is the Gold Cup the place to do that for the first time?



side note - Any news on if Aspire Tower will go chasing?

[Quevega]

At some point you have to race a competitive race at Cheltenham. Is the Gold Cup the place to do that for the first time?



side note - Any news on if Aspire Tower will go chasing?

Not heard anything Fly.

But the horse would be up against it on his breeding/pedigree IMO.
Cheltenham championship races are rarely won by the speedier flat breds or flat breds at all for that matter. Especially the arkle.
They simply get outstayed when it matters.

[Lobos]

At some point you have to race a competitive race at Cheltenham. Is the Gold Cup the place to do that for the first time?



side note - Any news on if Aspire Tower will go chasing?

There's a few races at Cheltenham before the GC to try him in . Not necessarily in his Novice season.

....and no. What about James the Militant?

[Hurricane fly]

There's a few races at Cheltenham before the GC to try him in . Not necessarily in his Novice season.

Key word is competitive, who’s he going to face from this side of the water? Fiddlerontheroof?

[Lobos]

Key word is competitive, who’s he going to face from this side of the water? Fiddlerontheroof?

You lot aren't having it are you.......I'll move on.

[Hurricane fly]

I’d just consider it a massive red flag. Novice hurdle season I can just about accept, but if he skips next year and I Am Maximus doesn’t perform then he would have question marks all over him due to Course form or lack of it

[Lobos]

Would be interesting to see the stats for GC winners that have bypassed Cheltenham in their Novice Season. Have there been many.......any ?

Just had a look myself.......just 3 in the last 20 years I think..............all roads lead to Cheltenham then for My Drago

[charlie]

Thyme Hill stays hurdling - https://www.racingpost.com/news/late...-season/484600

[Istabraq]

Thyme Hill stays hurdling - https://www.racingpost.com/news/late...-season/484600

Yep, and will be a serious player next year.
As far as we know all the top staying novice hurdlers are heading for fences so it should be a division that centres around Flooring Porter, Roksana and possibly Paisley Park if he retains his top form.
8/1 with Fred looks OK given the assumed lack of opposition....