2023 Novice Chasers

[SeanRock]

If three stripe life doesn't run it basically looks a penalty kick for GDM

Minella crooner is second fav, if TSL goes elsewhere its a glorified grade 3

Yeah it’s a very disappointing looking Grade 1 (I’d argue even if TSL took his chance)

Back to El Fabiolo today I was impressed with his cruising speed & he looks to have really strengthened up from last season. He was very quick over his fences when he met them correctly & obviously very scruffy over a few too.

He’s still quite inexperienced in comparison to others in the Arkle market & I can see him coming on leaps & bounds for the experience. He has bags of potential!

[Craigy14]

There is a 2m7f beginners chase at Punchestown on 31st December which could do for Minella Cocooner? Don't know where Classic Getaway might go next.

There’s also a beginners at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day, 2m 5f Jungle Boogie won it last year.

[Gibbs829]

If three stripe life doesn't run it basically looks a penalty kick for GDM

Minella crooner is second fav, if TSL goes elsewhere its a glorified grade 3

Agreed. I’ve noticed Sky Bet are offering 40/1 for TSL to do the same double. You’d think the winner would go fav for the BA. Depends if you think it’s value to cover both I guess.

[FinalFurlong91]

Agreed. I’ve noticed Sky Bet are offering 40/1 for TSL to do the same double. You’d think the winner would go fav for the BA. Depends if you think it’s value to cover both I guess.

It'll still depend on how good minella cocooner, james du berlais and classic getaway are as to whether GDM goes NHC or BANC

If Willie thinks he has a better one I'd be surprised if GDM doesn't go to the longer race

Willie wants as many winners as possible at the festival

If GDM looks his best then no doubt he runs in the BANC just don't think beating minella crooner will prove that

If one of those other 3 bolts up in the flogas at the DRF ala monkfish that will be the BANC horse

Just have to let it play out now

[Hurricane fly]

I think people need to stop holding on to JDB. He has run twice in 2 years and it's been 18 months since his last.

He was full of potential but how often do horses miss this length of time and fill that potential?

[Zachx02]

I think people need to stop holding on to JDB. He has run twice in 2 years and it's been 18 months since his last.

He was full of potential but how often do horses miss this length of time and fill that potential?

He's effectively only missed one season as they bought him from France mid season and just threw him into the champion hurdle, wouldn't write him off at all imo

[FinalFurlong91]

I think people need to stop holding on to JDB. He has run twice in 2 years and it's been 18 months since his last.

He was full of potential but how often do horses miss this length of time and fill that potential?

Will have to see how he goes over Xmas

Happy to not give up on him

And the stable tours were certainly encouraging, willie seems to think plenty of him

Comes with obvious risks but a 156 rated hurdler at 25s, seen much worse bets

[Lobos]

He's effectively only missed one season as they bought him from France mid season and just threw him into the champion hurdle, wouldn't write him off at all imo

He's only got a 4/15 win rate as well which makes him easy to overlook for me.

[FinalFurlong91]

He's only got a 4/15 win rate as well which makes him easy to overlook for me.

Don't you like a horse that's 0 from 6 over fences though?

[Lobos]

Don't you like a horse that's 0 from 6 over fences though?

Who dat..... ?

[charlie]

It'll still depend on how good minella cocooner, james du berlais and classic getaway are as to whether GDM goes NHC or BANC

If Willie thinks he has a better one I'd be surprised if GDM doesn't go to the longer race

Willie wants as many winners as possible at the festival

If GDM looks his best then no doubt he runs in the BANC just don't think beating minella crooner will prove that

If one of those other 3 bolts up in the flogas at the DRF ala monkfish that will be the BANC horse

Just have to let it play out now

Agree and you're right, if TSL goes elsewhere then it really is a glorified Grade 3.

For me that makes the omission of Minella Cocooner and Classic Getaway all the more puzzling.

There's every chance GDM wins well in the 'Grade 1' and they simply think the NHC is even more of a penalty kick.

I do think we have to be mindful that GDM is always the bridesmaid never the bride, so this is a good opportunity for WPM to get a 1 next to his name.

[charlie]

Thought it was a good debut from El Fabiolo, lovely to see the Irish 2m novices challengers coming out. We want proper clashes don't we and one or both of Willies vs Jonbon would be some clash.

[On The Fringe]

Agree and you're right, if TSL goes elsewhere then it really is a glorified Grade 3.

For me that makes the omission of Minella Cocooner and Classic Getaway all the more puzzling.

There's every chance GDM wins well in the 'Grade 1' and they simply think the NHC is even more of a penalty kick.

I do think we have to be mindful that GDM is always the bridesmaid never the bride, so this is a good opportunity for WPM to get a 1 next to his name.

Am I right in thinking the National Hunt Chase is a Grade 2 and therefore if GDM wins the Nevilles, he'll have to carry a (5lb?) penalty at Cheltenham?

[charlie]

Am I right in thinking the National Hunt Chase is a Grade 2 and therefore if GDM wins the Nevilles, he'll have to carry a (5lb?) penalty at Cheltenham?

Thats a bloody good question OTF and not one I know the answer to.

[Craigy14]

I get there are risks attached to James Du Berlais but I’d say the price is factored into that in comparison with all WPM’s other novices. Can get 20-25/1 for the turners or BANC at this stage.

Knocking his win rate seems very harsh imo considering he’s only run on these shores twice. Chucked in the champion hurdle as a 5 year old when he’d been in the yard a couple of months and then a very good second over 3m to Klassical Dream. His form in France after his first 4 poor runs from 3/4 years old reads 212121212. That includes 2 listed wins, 2 grade 3 wins and 2 grade 1 seconds. Hardly a terrible record imo, add in the fact he’s with WPM, the positive news in the stable tour, if he’s ready to run I’d say when he’s declared I’ll be topping up.