2023 Novice Chasers

[JackieMoon33]

Depends who turns up. Behind JDB, behind Appreciate It, behind Gelino Bello, behind Three Stripe Life, and even the ones just in behind him that's allowing them zero improvement for fences, when Gaillard himself is 6lbs better over fences than his hurdles rating.

He has a heap more improvement required, which I just don't see happening for a second season novice.

His best performance was also when upped markedly in trip too.

[Lobos]

Is it to his advantage? Again, how many second season novices have won a marquee novice chase?

No idea JM. Not many if any. Very unique situation. A lot of poor ones have won the BANC over the years though. Mullins mentioned the Hennessy as a potential starting point for GDM. That says a fair bit to me about how high he is in the pecking order.

[FinalFurlong91]

No idea JM. Not many if any. Very unique situation. A lot of poor ones have won the BANC over the years though. Mullins mentioned the Hennessy as a potential starting point for GDM. That says a fair bit to me about how high he is in the pecking order.

Yeah it says Willie thinks he's a handicapper

[Benjy23]

It's not a bet I'm interested in having but he was like 4 lengths off winning this year's renewal wasn't he. So I'm not sure about all this heaps of improvement and the others being rubbish chat for him to go close this year.

Also not sure him having more experience could ever be seen as a negative to be honest.

But at the same time I'd be disappointed if there wasn't one or two better. And he didn't go NHC

[Lobos]

Been thinking about JM's questions re second season chasers. I can't think of another second season chaser rated as high as him who didn't win a race. Anyone help ?

[Lobos]

Yeah it says Willie thinks he's a handicapper

[Lobos]

It's not a bet I'm interested in having but he was like 4 lengths off winning this year's renewal wasn't he. So I'm not sure about all this heaps of improvement and the others being rubbish chat for him to go close this year.

Also not sure him having more experience could ever be seen as a negative to be honest.

But at the same time I'd be disappointed if there wasn't one or two better. And he didn't go NHC

Yes Benjy. Obviously Lhomme Presse, Ahoy Senor and Capadanno are mad going for the Gold Cup this year seeing as they are all Handicappers..........

[Dandrew99]

Been thinking about JM's questions re second season chasers. I can't think of another second season chaser rated as high as him who didn't win a race. Anyone help ?

I doubt there's ever been a 156 rated horse not good enough to win a beginners/novice chase

I'd personally liken him to Run Wild Fred, obviously not rated the same but RWF was always hiding a fair bit...

Must be something that fell/disappointed on chase debut then ran into a Monkfish/Galopin type...

[JackieMoon33]

Been thinking about JM's questions re second season chasers. I can't think of another second season chaser rated as high as him who didn't win a race. Anyone help ?

That’s an impossible question to answer conclusively without spending a pointless amount of time researching it. But he’ll probably be amongst the highest if that’s the point you want conceding.

[FinalFurlong91]

Yes Benjy. Obviously Lhomme Presse, Ahoy Senor and Capadanno are mad going for the Gold Cup this year seeing as they are all Handicappers..........

You'd think they are all grade 1 winning novice chasers or something

[Benjy23]

Galvin was a good few lbs lower rated after being beaten 4/4 during his novice season and turned out alright...

[DenmanSacre]

Is it to his advantage? Again, how many second season novices have won a marquee novice chase?

The only two I can think of are Might Bite and Topofthegame and their first season over fences were only 1 race long. As you say, very unusual.

[FinalFurlong91]

Galvin was a good few lbs lower rated after being beaten 4/4 during his novice season and turned out alright...

Correct

But galvin weren't trying other than at cheltenham

[JackieMoon33]

The only two I can think of are Might Bite and Topofthegame and their first season over fences were only 1 race long. As you say, very unusual.

Very good. I wouldn’t have even considered them as they reverted back to hurdles so quickly that their first season was, for all intents and purposes, redundant.

[Kautostar]

Anyone concerned that Willie hasn’t entered gaillard du mesnil in the coral/Hennessy gold cup after stating he could be targeted there just a few days ago? Hopefully there isn’t an injury and it’s just Willie being Willie