2022 Arkle

[Eggs]

….Blue Lord now a general 7-1 for Arkle, 20-1 in a place for the Turners.

[Guinness Village]

Coral and ladbrokes were a stand out 40/1 before his first race which I couldn’t resist having a nibble at. I’ve not even considered that he’d be stepped up.

[Altior]

I think Turners for HEC as well but Arkle was named after his last race by Willie.

Didn't realise that, good to know thanks DS.

[Benjy23]

If he was mine, he would go the Arkle. But he showed he could settle today behind the pace and Willie may see him as his best chance against Bob with Ferny and Haut En Couleurs in the Arkle.

Fair play. Don't disagree, see my edit. Mullins might well attempt to split them. Hope owners don't go for it though.

[charlie]

….Blue Lord now a general 7-1 for Arkle, 20-1 in a place for the Turners.

Given he started the day at 8's I think the current price reflects more the weakness of the race than the impressiveness of the win. His backers will say he enhanced his claims, Ferny backers will say Ferny would've won the race doing handstands, and around and around we go....... I've added BL for the Marsh @ 20/1, that was my instant reaction.

[The Fellow]

think today was a learning day for the horse, jockey and trainer , Blue Lord settled in behind and looked comfortable doing so , it would have been easy to go from the front and bomb along , winning easily, he is a very good horse, jockey would have learned more about riding him how did he feel in behind , how was he going to the front and what was left at the end , Willie now knows he settles and judging by how wide Townend had him all the way round there is stamina there if needed , must have raced 2m 2f at least , i'm sure no decisions have been made yet , but they now know a lot more than they did an hour ago and options are there if they want them

[Altior]

Townend hinting at 2m based off the way he jumps, said the way he jumps fences makes him a faster horse but then when posed thhe question said further up in trip is an option too. Did Mullins proud with that interview anyway!

[Carnage at Taunton]

think today was a learning day for the horse, jockey and trainer , Blue Lord settled in behind and looked comfortable doing so , it would have been easy to go from the front and bomb along , winning easily, he is a very good horse, jockey would have learned more about riding him how did he feel in behind , how was he going to the front and what was left at the end , Willie now knows he settles and judging by how wide Townend had him all the way round there is stamina there if needed , must have raced 2m 2f at least , i'm sure no decisions have been made yet , but they now know a lot more than they did an hour ago and options are there if they want them

If you forget all the politics involved, and go on the form book,to me it’s a no brained as to which race he would be in come March.
Of course we have to put everything in to the equation, speaking of which…….I believe when Ruby was riding he had the choice of riding the double green horses that were trained in Ireland and DJ had choice of the British? Is that still the case with PT? May or may not have a bearing on any decisions, but useful to know anyway.

[Stormez]

think today was a learning day for the horse, jockey and trainer , Blue Lord settled in behind and looked comfortable doing so , it would have been easy to go from the front and bomb along , winning easily, he is a very good horse, jockey would have learned more about riding him how did he feel in behind , how was he going to the front and what was left at the end , Willie now knows he settles and judging by how wide Townend had him all the way round there is stamina there if needed , must have raced 2m 2f at least , i'm sure no decisions have been made yet , but they now know a lot more than they did an hour ago and options are there if they want them

Suppose if Ferny Hollow is going to go from the front like last time then they’ll have to have him sit in, no point them taking each other on up front.

[Rooster Booster]

I think we need to have a new category of races...I’m calling it the ‘chumper’

[Hurricane On The Fly]

Mullins mentions Arkle for Blue Lord

[charlie]

Mullins mentions Arkle for Blue Lord

I still don't think he'll end up here but on the basis Ginto would be a terrible result for me in the Lawlor's, I've doubled @ 20/1 as cover because if something happens to Ferny he will be number 1, despite not being now.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Not sure why Blue Lord would step up in trip. He looks like he has enough speed for the Arkle and also looks a much better horse this season.

Mullins has got so many novice chasers that he could easily have 3 in each of the novice races.

[Quevega]

If they are all fit and ready to run then they'll all run in Dublin.
Then after that the tune may change for one or two.
Blue Lord backers would be hoping for him to skip Dublin, or beat Ferny/come very close.
Same with Haut backers.

[charlie]

Not sure why Blue Lord would step up in trip. He looks like he has enough speed for the Arkle and also looks a much better horse this season.

Mullins has got so many novice chasers that he could easily have 3 in each of the novice races.

It's telling IMO that Willie has sent 2 horses here once in 20 years. Given he has so much fire power thats not an anomaly, he purposely identifies his best shot and sends others elsewhere. For all BL was very good today, does anyone genuinely think he's a better horse than Ferny? Willie has, however, shown preference for sending more horses down the Marsh route than this, which is probably why he's shortened significantly in that market too.