2022 Novice Chase Division

[Lbur4288]

I just think Willie Mullins will use one of his mares to take on Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle. Limited other options would leave the only other realistic options going chasing.

[Kautostar]

I just think Willie Mullins will use one of his mares to take on Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle. Limited other options would leave the only other realistic options going chasing.

Ferny hollow has only had 1 run over hurdles, even if they think he’s a chaser they’ll surely test the water over hurdles first. Willie loves a champion hurdler.

Echoes in rain, Sharjah and ferny hollow champion hurdle

Mullins has an army to go novice chasing with
appreciate it, blue lord, saint roi, James du berlais could all be realistic Arkle runners.

[Lbur4288]

Ferny hollow has only had 1 run over hurdles, even if they think he’s a chaser they’ll surely test the water over hurdles first. Willie loves a champion hurdler.

Echoes in rain, Sharjah and ferny hollow champion hurdle

Mullins has an army to go novice chasing with
appreciate it, blue lord, saint roi, James du berlais could all be realistic Arkle runners.

Possibly (probably) but you never know with Mullins. He likes to keep his options open for as long as possible. Already looking forward to the new national hunt season so we can decipher any clues.

[Odin]

Ferny hollow has only had 1 run over hurdles, even if they think he’s a chaser they’ll surely test the water over hurdles first. Willie loves a champion hurdler.

Echoes in rain, Sharjah and ferny hollow champion hurdle

Mullins has an army to go novice chasing with
appreciate it, blue lord, saint roi, James du berlais could all be realistic Arkle runners.

I don't necessarily disagree with what you've said, but by the same token as loving a champion hurdler, hasn't it been said more on here that Mullins would really, really love to win the champion chase? If so, it would probably make more sense to send ferny chasing given he could easily be the best of all the horses you've mentioned over 2m and therefore arguably provides the best opportunity of beating shishkin in march 2023?

For better or worse, the above disregards the potential injury reoccurrence issue we've previously established which could make it a moot point, but explains how I've talked myself I to backing ferny for the arkle at some point in the next week or so *face palms*

[Kautostar]

I don't necessarily disagree with what you've said, but by the same token as loving a champion hurdler, hasn't it been said more on here that Mullins would really, really love to win the champion chase? If so, it would probably make more sense to send ferny chasing given he could easily be the best of all the horses you've mentioned over 2m and therefore arguably provides the best opportunity of beating shishkin in march 2023?

For better or worse, the above disregards the potential injury reoccurrence issue we've previously established which could make it a moot point, but explains how I've talked myself I to backing ferny for the arkle at some point in the next week or so *face palms*

He could have a champion chase win this season with two live chances in chacun and energumene.

Whatever they decide there will be a huge price crash once they announce plans for ferny be it the champion hurdle or Arkle.

[Ice]

I've backed ferny for the champion hurdle but to give Honeysuckle seven pounds in the champion hurdle he will need to be a serious horse, hopefully he is but only used free bets on him. Roll on March !

[Outlaw]

I've backed ferny for the champion hurdle but to give Honeysuckle seven pounds in the champion hurdle he will need to be a serious horse, hopefully he is but only used free bets on him. Roll on March !

Any horse to give a mare weight who can run to low 160s has to run a monster 170 as a minimum to win , we are talking a Faugheen type horse (Prime Buveur thou i'm not sure he would of in hindsight)weigh that up before hoping an exciting novice can emulate great horses of the sport. Obvs it's all price dependent but that's the measure of the task for any gelding for the foreseeable.

[Lobos]

I've backed ferny for the champion hurdle but to give Honeysuckle seven pounds in the champion hurdle he will need to be a serious horse, hopefully he is but only used free bets on him. Roll on March !

To give Honeysuckle 7lbs he'll need to be a wonder horse ! I think every other trainer must be hoping she doesn't turn up in the same form again. If she does then there's only one result.

[Ice]

To give Honeysuckle 7lbs he'll need to be a wonder horse ! I think every other trainer must be hoping she doesn't turn up in the same form again. If she does then there's only one result.

That's why I've only used free money on him, i backed Honeysuckle straight after she won this year, even though i don't like backing a 3/1 shot twelve months out but if she gets there fit and well that will look a huge price.

[Ice]

Any horse to give a mare weight who can run to low 160s has to run a monster 170 as a minimum to win , we are talking a Faugheen type horse (Prime Buveur thou i'm not sure he would of in hindsight)weigh that up before hoping an exciting novice can emulate great horses of the sport. Obvs it's all price dependent but that's the measure of the task for any gelding for the foreseeable.

Will be interesting to see if echoes in rain is good enough for a champion hurdle bid, another mare may be the only one who could beat her, could concertista be another possible runner ?

[Saxon Warrior]

At this time of year I think it wise to focus on your own horse and what plans you have for them for the season.

Whether another horse is fit, well and declared to run next March shouldn't be a primary consideration.

Willie would probably be putting three in against Honey in the Hatton Grace, and the Irish Champion Hurdle at the DRF (her two targets) to test her out - and crucially will have a free hit at the

* 2M Grade 1 Morgiana in November, and
* the 2M Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown - both with no Honeysuckle.

Add in the
* English Grade 1 Fighting Fifth and
* Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle and
* the well-funded Grade 2 International Hurdle,

and there's plenty to aim at for Willie's Champion Hurdle types, before March, and then beyond.

He won't put a horse into novice chasing for the lack of chances in 2M Graded Hurdles.

[Lobos]

Caught a video from Peter Fahey where he says Belfast Banter won't be hanging around over hurdles and that he'll jump a fence. Was obviously very progressive last season so another to add to the Novice Chase mix. Any thoughts ??

[FinalFurlong91]

Caught a video from Peter Fahey where he says Belfast Banter won't be hanging around over hurdles and that he'll jump a fence. Was obviously very progressive last season so another to add to the Novice Chase mix. Any thoughts ??

Id say he won one of the worst grade 1s ever run at Aintree

[Lobos]

Id say he won one of the worst grade 1s ever run at Aintree

....and the ultra competitive County Hurdle plus a good 2nd behind many people's champion hurdle fancy Echoes In Rain ?

[Topofthegame2021]

Id say he won one of the worst grade 1s ever run at Aintree

He did beat the Arkle 2022 winner that day to be fair to him