2023 Novice Chasers

[charlie]

not really my point, my point is everyone thinks they've found a festival winner, winning supposed trial races at this meeting. Be it the Arkle, Triumph hurdle, Ballymore.

Has one person? TTL post race comparisons seem odd.

[darlojim]

not really my point, my point is everyone thinks they've found a festival winner, winning supposed trial races at this meeting. Be it the Arkle, Triumph hurdle, Ballymore.

Who's said this? Im confused... I think you might have just made that up.

God if we cant enjoy national hunt racing on a weekend, we're fucked

[darlojim]

I thought Tommys Oscar was going to put it up to him, was going the better of the 2 coming round the bend and then was hampered which seemed to lose momentum.

Not saying he would have won but would have been closer imo.

Maybe, but im not so sure, he was checked rounding the turn but still only 2 down before the 2nd last and Banbridge has fairly eased clear by the line.

[Brooksie]

Has one person? TTL post race comparisons seem odd.

Seem odd? they won the same race in similar styles with similar backgrounds, both having ran in festival handicaps the year prior? Both cut into silly prices. Same post race comments, jumps like an Arkle horse.

[Quevega]

Seem odd? they won the same race in similar styles with similar backgrounds, both having ran in festival handicaps the year prior? Both cut into silly prices. Same post race comments, jumps like an Arkle horse.

One's Irish trained and won a handicap at the last festival though.
Usually both decent pointer's.

I don't really see him as the arkle winner myself though so in that regard the comparison with TTL is fair.

Some of these trials do throw up Cheltenham festival winners also.
Probably as foolish to dismiss them as it is to go too mad on them.

[darlojim]

Seem odd? they won the same race in similar styles with similar backgrounds, both having ran in festival handicaps the year prior? Both cut into silly prices. Same post race comments, jumps like an Arkle horse.

16s isnt really a silly price though is it mate? Dya expect them to hold 20s,25s or something after an impressive jumping display beating some nice types. TTL beat hcappers, this lad didn't!

[Brooksie]

One's Irish trained and won a handicap at the last festival though.
Usually both decent pointer's.

I don't really see him as the arkle winner myself though so in that regard the comparison with TTL is fair.

Some of these trials do throw up Cheltenham festival winners also.
Probably as foolish to dismiss them as it is to go too mad on them.

fair points

16s isnt really a silly price though is it mate? Dya expect them to hold 20s,25s or something after an impressive jumping display beating some nice types. TTL beat hcappers, this lad didn't!

Tommy's Oscar was literally a handicapper being thrown into a champion hurdle because it won a piss poor grade 2. Pentland Hills been off the track 2 years last ran against himself...

[charlie]

Seem odd? they won the same race in similar styles with similar backgrounds, both having ran in festival handicaps the year prior? Both cut into silly prices. Same post race comments, jumps like an Arkle horse.

Do you really believe they won in similar styles or was the TTL comparison a tongue in cheek post race comment aimed at knocking the price cut? If you watch it back TTL had it almost entirely his own way after CTC faded 5 out last year. He was 2/5 in a 4 runner affair, went unchallenged at the business end of the race and beat a 139 rated chaser 4 lengths with the benefit of a chase run at Cheltenham under his belt. I don't want to take the 145 and 156 chase ratings too literally from today, but they were much better horses and it was a different race. Far more competitive, more pressure and we learnt a lot more. I thought it was 7 or 8 out of 10 and as I said, I don't think anyone on here gave the impression they thought we'd found the Arkle winner.

[The Giant Bolster]

I think Banbridge likely ran to a standard today which means he could win a thin Arkle. But I don't think he will win unless a large number of others bomb or get injured. Depending how you bet, he's one I want to cover but not go crazy on yet in my view.

[Bonjers]

Grand Jury was unfortunately lost. RIP.

[JamieSensible]

100% pocket talk, but I can't see Pentland Hills cutting it as a Cheltenham winner over fences.

I appreciate It was his first start over them against a good horse in Banbridge, but its a big fat line through any outside chance he may of had after today.

[Irish Rugby]

I think Banbridge likely ran to a standard today which means he could win a thin Arkle. But I don't think he will win unless a large number of others bomb or get injured. Depending how you bet, he's one I want to cover but not go crazy on yet in my view.

Agree, and a lot of sentiment towards Tommy's Oscar, a horse that some TV presenters, have bigged up as a serious Grade 1 contender, whereas he is really just a very good horse mopping up mostly on northern based tracks. Banbridge has only set the standard, a contender, yes, but let's see some of the AP big guns before jumping to conclusions.

[FinalFurlong91]

100% pocket talk, but I can't see Pentland Hills cutting it as a Cheltenham winner over fences.

I appreciate It was his first start over them against a good horse in Banbridge, but its a big fat line through any outside chance he may of had after today.

Pentland hills not really bred to jump a fence so wasn't surprised he struggled

[YoungHustler]

Grand Jury was unfortunately lost. RIP.

That's sad news. It would have been a close finish with TSL.

Gordon advised the Drinmore will be next for TSL. Will be interesting as he also said that would be Might Potter's next race.

[Brooksie]

Do you really believe they won in similar styles or was the TTL comparison a tongue in cheek post race comment aimed at knocking the price cut? If you watch it back TTL had it almost entirely his own way after CTC faded 5 out last year. He was 2/5 in a 4 runner affair, went unchallenged at the business end of the race and beat a 139 rated chaser 4 lengths with the benefit of a chase run at Cheltenham under his belt. I don't want to take the 145 and 156 chase ratings too literally from today, but they were much better horses and it was a different race. Far more competitive, more pressure and we learnt a lot more. I thought it was 7 or 8 out of 10 and as I said, I don't think anyone on here gave the impression they thought we'd found the Arkle winner.

75% tongue in cheek, I find it very reminiscent of the TTL price cut. Only time will tell but imo the form of this race won't work out to much. The rating of the 2nd imo is inflated and I couldn't see him winning off his mark of 156 over hurdles or fences. Are we of the opinion Banbridge is already rated in the 160s if TO ran to that mark? Yes they were better horses in todays field but I wouldn't say by much. My comment wasn't really aimed specifically at people on here it was aimed more at the way racing media react. I'm sure racing post will have an article titled 'Did we see the Arkle winner?' soon enough.