Fulke Walwyn KIM MUIR Challenge Cup Amateur Rider Handicap Chase

[Craigy14]

Ayr was also mentioned for City Chief. That race really suits a Novice

Could also go for the novices handicap chase Dusart won last year as wel.

Low mark bound to be tempting.

[Odin]

City Chief +7 to 142 puts him in a great spot for this.
No idea who Hendo might get to ride him and I assumed he would also have been aiming Mister Coffey here after his unlucky second last year, but City Chief would have a huge chance if coming here...

Mr Coffey declared at uttoxeter tomorrow with Derek O'Connor on board. Suspect you've seen, but just in case...

[Lobos]

Mr Coffey declared at uttoxeter tomorrow with Derek O'Connor on board. Suspect you've seen, but just in case...

....and Mister Coffey also blue across boards for NHC.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Mr Coffey and City Chief, KimMuir and NHChase.
Owners of CC already have two possibles for NHC.Personally think the NHC would be perfect for CC.
Could do with some help on where these two will end up.
Any strong opinion most welcome.

[Lobos]

Mr Coffey and City Chief, KimMuir and NHChase.
Owners of CC already have two possibles for NHC.Personally think the NHC would be perfect for CC.
Could do with some help on where these two will end up.
Any strong opinion most welcome.

CC talked up as possible Scottish National horse

[Lobos]

James Bowen after Towton Chase win on City Chief...


But the jockey fears he may not be quite ready for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, for which he is quoted as short as 7-1 by QuinnBet.
"He was good," Bowen said. "I had to make plenty of use of him because he wants further really but he jumped better today.

"I don't know about Cheltenham as he's still got a bit of growing up to do. He'd stay the trip but he may be more of an Ayr horse. I think he had plenty left at the end."

[Carnage at Taunton]

James Bowen after Towton Chase win on City Chief...


But the jockey fears he may not be quite ready for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, for which he is quoted as short as 7-1 by QuinnBet.
"He was good," Bowen said. "I had to make plenty of use of him because he wants further really but he jumped better today.

"I don't know about Cheltenham as he's still got a bit of growing up to do. He'd stay the trip but he may be more of an Ayr horse. I think he had plenty left at the end."

Cheers Lobos, appreciate that

[Quevega]

James Bowen after Towton Chase win on City Chief...


But the jockey fears he may not be quite ready for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, for which he is quoted as short as 7-1 by QuinnBet.
"He was good," Bowen said. "I had to make plenty of use of him because he wants further really but he jumped better today.

"I don't know about Cheltenham as he's still got a bit of growing up to do. He'd stay the trip but he may be more of an Ayr horse. I think he had plenty left at the end."

Pro jockey talking down the chances of a horse in the NH chase in favour of a high profile handicap shock !

[Quevega]

Mr Coffey and City Chief, KimMuir and NHChase.
Owners of CC already have two possibles for NHC.Personally think the NHC would be perfect for CC.
Could do with some help on where these two will end up.
Any strong opinion most welcome.

I'd say with his mark, Mr Coffey looks a possible ride for O'Connor in the Kim Muir. The issue would be that JP is likely to have one for that race, so maybe the NH chase is more likely as JP hasn't really got one for that race this year, at least nothing obvious anyway at present.
Not sure about City Chief but if they listen to the jockey he might not run at Cheltenham, and hasn't been to the course before, so maybe National's will be his game.

[Istabraq]

The whole staying novice chase division is fascinating to me.

The Donnelly's have three possible runners for the NH Chase; GDM, City Chief and Ramillies.
GDM will definitely go to the race with Paddy riding.
Ramillies only has two chase starts so you'd imagine it's too tight for him to get a third in, he looks booked for the NH Chase or won't be on the boat.
City Chief is currently on 142 and has all options open assuming they want him at Cheltenham but the Ayr talk has to make you think it's on their mind, the ownership and their other options for Cheltenham could be the determining factor here, and of course Hendo has both Mister Coffey and City Chief under his wing, could he send two horses to the same amateur race ? What's his pull on jockeys now the dentist has retired ?
Derek O'Connor being booked for Mister Coffee on Saturday is interesting, unless JP gets his chequebook out he will have no runner in the NH Chase so this could be a smart familiarisation exercise with March in mind, currently rated 140 he has everything open to him.
I'm pinning my hopes on Saturday's partnership being prep for the Kim Muir but I'd be shocked if JP doesn't have at least one dart to throw at that race and you would think Derek O'Connor would be booked, but although I'm fresh from a major misjudgement on Third Time Lucki last weekend I doubt Hendo would want to shut the Kim Muir door so I think Mister Coffee could have a less demanding day out than many think and ensure that mark remains sub 146 - they were devastated he didn't win the race last year, they were convinced he would, Saturday will tell us where Mister Coffee goes in March, I'm hoping Kim Muir.
10/1 NRNB looks a great play.

My guess (and that's all it really is)

GDM - NH Chase
Ramillies - NH Chase or stays home
Mister Coffee - Kim Muir
City Chief - Scottish National

[Odin]

Ramillies - NH Chase or stays home

I had a thought the other day that Ramillies could go RSA as his third run to qualify for a mark in the Irish Grand National. Strengthens the case for GDM going to NH Chase, where he's more of a cert than Ramillies, and stops the Donnelly's having a double entry in the same race.

[Istabraq]

I had a thought the other day that Ramillies could go RSA as his third run to qualify for a mark in the Irish Grand National. Strengthens the case for GDM going to NH Chase, where he's more of a cert than Ramillies, and stops the Donnelly's having a double entry in the same race.

Yeah that's a possible, I doubt he'd be competitive in an Ultima and of course Mullins record in festival handicap chases doesn't inspire any confidence, but as you say the exercise could be prep for Ramillies to Fairyhouse....

[Carnage at Taunton]

I'd say with his mark, Mr Coffey looks a possible ride for O'Connor in the Kim Muir. The issue would be that JP is likely to have one for that race, so maybe the NH chase is more likely as JP hasn't really got one for that race this year, at least nothing obvious anyway at present.
Not sure about City Chief but if they listen to the jockey he might not run at Cheltenham, and hasn't been to the course before, so maybe National's will be his game.

Thanks Q, interesting stuff

[Rooster Booster]

I’d be a little surprised if MC runs tomorrow. He’s a big horse and likes a bit of cut, he is obviously being aimed at the festival and I’m not sure they’d risk him getting jarred up ....if he does run it wouldn’t be a shock to see him tenderly ridden or even pu.

[The Giant Bolster]

Henderson hasn’t had a horse win or place in the National Hunt Chase over the last ten years. He has had only four runners during that period and none since 2019. As a result, I would be surprised if City Chief or Mister Coffey end up in the NHC and even more surprised if they win. Not to say it won't happen, it just looks unlikely. More likely handicaps or missing Cheltenham I think.