2022 Arkle

[Carnage at Taunton]

The fact Blue Lord jumped better on his first two starts is not that relevant IMO. The Fairyhouse and Naas races placed no real pressure on his jumping which is why I was weary attaching too much weight to those performances. Today was a very different test and much more similar to the type of test he will face in March. Yes, he passed the test and won, but, was sloppy at quite a few of his obstacles and a mistake by the mare handed him the race. I'm certainly not too downbeat as he's my only Arkle bet at the moment, but at least we know now that FH would have jumped BL into submission, so at least that's been put to bed

I would say it’s a lot more relevant than the constant mentioning of Ferny!! All that does is just pile on the misery for his backers.
Anyway as a BL backer I’m just glad he won despite, and know he can do better.
Seriously concerned about Edwardstone though.
Got to get him onside somehow.

[isitmarchyet]

I'm going down the rabbit hole with this race now, even looking at Ciel De Neige. Someone send help!

[charlie]

I would say it’s a lot more relevant than the constant mentioning of Ferny!! All that does is just pile on the misery for his backers.
Anyway as a BL backer I’m just glad he won despite, and know he can do better.
Seriously concerned about Edwardstone though.
Got to get him onside somehow.

I'm actually not too miserable about it. Today put that debate to bed so we can move on.
Edwardstone is a worry. I do like how competitive the race is now. Need to give him some serious thought.
Roll up maybe, seems a good way to go with a 3/1 shot.

[That Horse]

I bet people fancy Ferny Hollow as an 'outsider' for the QMCC next season yet completely dismiss the horses he's clearly tied in VERY closely with in this years Arkle.

He won't be an outsider's price given his trainer, plus what he has done whenever he has managed to get on the racecourse. His injury history of missing two festivals would mean too much risk Vs reward in this case. People would be mad to back him antepost

[isitmarchyet]

I'm actually not too miserable about it. Today put that debate to bed so we can move on.
Edwardstone is a worry. I do like how competitive the race is now. Need to give him some serious thought.
Roll up maybe, seems a good way to go with a 3/1 shot.

I'm looking at a Kingmaker + Arkle double for Edwardstone. Might not get much of a price though, but might be another option.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I'm looking at a Kingmaker + Arkle double for Edwardstone. Might not get much of a price though, but might be another option.

Thats exactly my thoughts, wont have long to find out whats on offer.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Good point. If he jumps well then that'll be a few lengths saved on today.

Yep, went quiet wide as well.
On a good day i think hes a few lengths better than RD at this moment.
As Kev said though, improvement has to be taken into account with novices, problem is we dont know how much each will improve.
Next season we will find out for sure the pecking order.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yeah it's a massive factor (obviosuly!)
Both Blue Lord and Edwardstone at 3/1.
Whilst I think King and connections will be bullish.
I'd side with the Mullins runner every time

Alan King can train an Arkle horse, no worries on that score, the trainer would not be a deciding factor for me anyway .
What concerns me is thinking about how the race will pan out.
With For Pleasure and TTL theres serious pace, and i do have a concern after yesterday with Blue Lord in that respect.
Edwardstone on the other hand,with his style of running, will relish it.
He has to be on side.
Right now imo hes the most likely winner.

[Irish Rugby]

Agreed and apart from his one fall, TTL, the GB horses edge it on the jumping.

These are the Irish substitutes. A really open looking championship race. Edwardstone the likely winner for me.

We are due a shock in this race, wouldn't be impossible. Hope it can attract a larger than usual number.

Of course Edwardstone could me the moral winner with Riviere knicking it by a short distance, ably abetted by her allowance.

[Folski]

Could be wrong but is Uxizandre Kings last G1 winner at the festival. Puts me off Edwardstone. He’s had a lot more flops than successes.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Could be wrong but is Uxizandre Kings last G1 winner at the festival. Puts me off Edwardstone. He’s had a lot more flops than successes.

I would question how much ammo hes had to go to war with in recent years..
I would also say.....hes proved in the past he can train big race winners, so unless hes forgotten how to train, then given the ammo he should be able to do so again.

[doctorwu]

I would question how much ammo hes had to go to war with in recent years..
I would also say.....hes proved in the past he can train big race winners, so unless hes forgotten how to train, then given the ammo he should be able to do so again.

He's had plenty of fancied juvenile/novices over the years since Uxi that have all disappointed. Trainer big negative. Anyway its all meaningless as Riviere storms up the hill for victory. Can't have Blue Lord up that hill, and his jumping won't hold up at Cheltenham.

[Carnage at Taunton]

He's had plenty of fancied juvenile/novices over the years since Uxi that have all disappointed. Trainer big negative. Anyway its all meaningless as Riviere storms up the hill for victory. Can't have Blue Lord up that hill, and his jumping won't hold up at Cheltenham.

I think the reason those you mention have disappointed, is because they werent the best around, nothing to do with the trainer.
As i said before hes proven when he gets a good one, and he wont stop Edwardstone from winning if the horse is good enough.

Yes, i did allude to my concern with Blue Lord.
In not as sure as you seem to be, but i can see the possibilty of that happening.

[Kevloaf]

Right. Someone explain to me why Edwardstone isn't a great bet at 3/1 to win the Arkle.

[Lobos]

Right. Someone explain to me why Edwardstone isn't a great bet at 3/1 to win the Arkle.

Maybe take a look at his Cheltenham record