Dark horses for Cheltenham 2021

[Hurricane fly]

Gallant John Joe

2nd season Novice Chaser - Chase form 233.

2nd over 2 on Chase debut, beaten 2 lengths by Melon
3rd in a 2M Grade 1 at DRF on 2nd start (lacking fencing experience, over a trip too short) behind Notebook and Cash Back, beaten 7 lengths.
3rd beaten half-a-length in a 2M4F Grade 3 on final start, caught in last 50 yards.

His Chase rating is already 149, 12lbs higher than his Hurdle rating.

His one season hurdling his best RPR (140) was put up in the February DRF Festival in Feb 19 in the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle over 2M6F finishing 3rd beaten 6 lengths by Commander of Fleet.

It will be interesting which route he takes this season, Novice Chasing, or into Open chases.

I’ve gone off an absolute cliff on that horse following the hollographic bumper form. Enter at your peril

[Kevloaf]

Not sure he's really a dark horse as such, but will be keeping an eye out for Draconien's well-being this season. Was really looking forward to seeing him last year.

He definitely counts as dark.

Missed two festivals at least now?

Unlikely to feature in the stable tours isn't he?

[Lobos]

Any thoughts on which route Allart will go ? Henderson said he is staying over hurdles but which race? Could he be a Churdle dark horse ?

[Kevloaf]

Any thoughts on which route Allart will go ? Henderson said he is staying over hurdles but which race? Could he be a Churdle dark horse ?

15 lengths to make up on Abacadabras.... so no?

[isitmarchyet]

He definitely counts as dark.

Missed two festivals at least now?

Unlikely to feature in the stable tours isn't he?

Didn't realise he'd missed two, was thinking it was just the last one. Does make you wonder what the issue was, I don't think they ever said what the problem was last year.

Just looked it up actually and this was Willie's quote in the ATR stable tour:

I don’t think he’s going to make it back to the track this season, which is a real pity

Then, if I recall, it was shortly after (article I found doesn't have date, just says 10 months ago) that Ruby had this to say:

He got injured last season but is schooling away again now and I actually schooled him myself last week. You’re always cautious about horses coming back from injury but he’s a forward going horse who is a good jumper. When you’re jumping fences there’s usually 12 or 13 fences in a two-mile race whereas there’s only eight over hurdles.

All a bit weird. Have to think it's unlikely we see him at the festival, but I live in hope.

[Yorkhill12]

One dark horse for me is lieutenant rocco for the tizzards, ran ok for a long while (compared to a lot of tizzards) in a potentially hot Albert Bartlett, always going to be a chaser, was at Warwick the day it sluiced home by half the straight and has chaser all over it! No price for the rsa but 50s available for the nhc...

[Craigy14]

One dark horse for me is lieutenant rocco for the tizzards, ran ok for a long while (compared to a lot of tizzards) in a potentially hot Albert Bartlett, always going to be a chaser, was at Warwick the day it sluiced home by half the straight and has chaser all over it! No price for the rsa but 50s available for the nhc...

Agree with that, he was one straight away I was going to be keeping an eye on for the NHC.

[JackieMoon33]

Agree with that, he was one straight away I was going to be keeping an eye on for the NHC.

I'm a fan and added him to my diary section on 17th March. I still haven't forgiven Tizzard for his abysmal performance this season and I'm torn as to whether I will get any of his on side this season again. I was on The Big Breakaway and Master Debonair from a long way out last season but they both let me down come the business end.

[Saxon Warrior]

I'm a fan and added him to my diary section on 17th March. I still haven't forgiven Tizzard for his abysmal performance this season and I'm torn as to whether I will get any of his on side this season again. I was on The Big Breakaway and Master Debonair from a long way out last season but they both let me down come the business end.

Tizz is one of those trainers that always "bigs up" his horses, so its difficult to know what he really thinks of them.

If he thinks he is training them right for the Festival then he could just keep repeating largely failure with the odd bright light of success (Open Grade 1 wins by Thistlecrack, Native River).

He has won one Novice Hurdle and no Novice Chases at the Festival, so far (Kilbricken Storm at 33/1 on the day) so he has a poor record in plotting any Novice towards the Festival.

[BigChaang]

I'm taking a similar view to you both J.M , S.W .
Iv'e got L.i.t in a multi , but cashed all other Tizz bets.
Only one i might be interested for next year is Harry Senior.
Who won impressively on Trial's day in January.

[Lobos]

15 lengths to make up on Abacadabras.... so no?

But you and I think a handicap winner will make the jump? Huge strides can be made from novice to open fields. Everyone knows that.

[Istabraq]

But you and I think a handicap winner will make the jump? Huge strides can be made from novice to open fields. Everyone knows that.

Just not RSA to Gold Cup....

[Lobos]

Just not RSA to Gold Cup....

Say what ???

Gotcha now, just read GC to thread.

[Kevloaf]

But you and I think a handicap winner will make the jump? Huge strides can be made from novice to open fields. Everyone knows that.

You think finishing 5th in the Supreme was better form than winning the County Hurdle?


Huge strides can be made, sure.... but you can't just back or fancy ANY horse and say "they could improve".... it's just not viable as a betting strategy. Is there ANY logic behind why Allart may improve 15 lbs more than Abacadabras at very least? Even if Abacadabras improves 0 lbs, Allart has a mountain to climb.

[Lobos]

You think finishing 5th in the Supreme was better form than winning the County Hurdle?


Huge strides can be made, sure.... but you can't just back or fancy ANY horse and say "they could improve".... it's just not viable as a betting strategy. Is there ANY logic behind why Allart may improve 15 lbs more than Abacadabras at very least? Even if Abacadabras improves 0 lbs, Allart has a mountain to climb.

I'm thinking on ratings Allart wouldn't be that far behind Saint Roi. Both you and I fancy the pants of him to improve enough to trouble the best over 2 miles. Can't see why Allart can't do the same ? It's possible yeah ? Why would Hendo keep him over hurdles ? Surely he's not going Stayers? Hendo is without question the best trainer of two mile horses. No way he'd keep him to hurdles if he didn't think he could make his mark in that sphere.