2023 Novice Chasers

[DenmanSacre]

Very interesting indeed. I was wondering when Tom would try to plunder some prizes over this side of the channel.

The interviewer mentioned the Desert Orchid but I assume it will be the Wayward Lad.

[ComplyOrDie]

Just got through some selected replays from the racing over the weekend and my thoughts are as follows:

Classic Getaway - Very good, but I can't help but feel the race fell away a bit. Minella Cocooner led most of the way on heavy going first time out and Journey With Me was chasing his tail for the most part, so no surprise Minella Cocooner couldn't see it out and Journey With Me's fall looked a tired one. Not having a Getaway for the festival, anyway I won't be giving up on the other two just yet.

Fil Dor/Saint Roi - Happy with the run from Fil Dor, don't think he'll win the Arkle, but he'd be going with a chance if some were to not make it or fall during the race etc... Obviously making the most of his allowance currently. Saint Roi actually jumped well, in the main, for a horse by Coastal Path. Someone already mentioned it on here, but it reminded me very much of Fakir D'oudairies/Melon where FD was in receipt of age allowance and beat Melon by 3 lengths. Melon ended up in the Turners, and Saint Roi is bred to get further, however he did seem pretty keen at times on Sunday, so that may need sorting out before he can get the intermediate trip.

McFabulous/Thyme Hill - Thought McFabulous was very good, whether he ends up at Cheltenham is another thing though. For now I'm going to assume not, and so no further comments about him are required. I cashed Thyme Hill out, but not because of his jumping, like I thought might be the case, more so because I'm just not sure how good he really is anymore. Is he really going to be winning a BANC aged 9? I don't think so, so he's not for me now.

[Winging The Last]

Looks like Sir Gerhard is going chasing then. He only has entry's in the novice chases over Christmas and not then 2m Matterson

[RoadToCheltenham]

No entries anywhere for Gentlemansgame?

[Brooksie]

I was very taken with Fil Dor yesterday. Looking back through his first few runs last season, the way he shaped over his hurdles screamed chaser, he has such a nice shape. Pretty happy they've decided to go chasing and not waste anymore time hurdling, imo definitely the correct call. He could well come up a tad short in the Arkle, but 12/1 imo isn't the worst price about him, when you consider he put Saint Roi away pretty snuggly; a horse that ran within 7 lengths of Honeysuckle and then factor in his age and the likelihood of further improvement over fences (although not guaranteed).

I find it interesting that he's the same price as Banbridge for this race and yet on a strict form line through hurdling you'd have to put Fil Dor ahead. What with Banbridge giving a 6 length beating to Tommy's Oscar that finished 27 lengths adrift of HS and then Fil Dor beating Saint Roi. I know translating hurdling and chasing form isn't an exact science and you also have to factor in the weight allowance for age, but still I feel one of them is priced incorrectly or maybe both.

Whatever happens this year though I think Fil Dor will come into his own when he goes up in trip, and with him being so young they've got plenty of time to experiment.

[charlie]

I find it interesting that he's the same price as Banbridge for this race and yet on a strict form line through hurdling you'd have to put Fil Dor ahead. What with Banbridge giving a 6 length beating to Tommy's Oscar that finished 27 lengths adrift of HS and then Fil Dor beating Saint Roi. I know translating hurdling and chasing form isn't an exact science and you also have to factor in the weight allowance for age, but still I feel one of them is priced incorrectly or maybe both

You might be right, but the form case feels messy. I suspect Saint Roi needed the run. No doubt he's been putting up decent efforts in defeat, but he's not won for over 2 years and I'd question taking form lines through Tommy's Oscar over hurdles with a view to another race a year later over fences. Of the two, Banbridge has the all important 2/2 on his Cheltenham CV which is a big tick Fil D doesn't have. I've always felt GE should step him up and yesterday didn't leave me thinking any different.

[Brooksie]

You might be right, but the form case feels messy. I suspect Saint Roi needed the run. No doubt he's been putting up decent efforts in defeat, but he's not won for over 2 years and I'd question taking form lines through Tommy's Oscar over hurdles with a view to another race a year later over fences. Of the two, Banbridge has the all important 2/2 on his Cheltenham CV which is a big tick Fil D doesn't have. I've always felt GE should step him up and yesterday didn't leave me thinking any different.

Yep it is messy and we'd probably need to see a few more runs from them all before we can really assess if the hurdling form has any merit. Banbridge jumping fences at Cheltenham is definitely a plus, but I'd argue Fil Dor wasn't disgraced around the track when beat by Vauban, my slight worry would be it came on the New Course and the old course is going to be a different test entirely. I'm interested to see where they go with Banbridge next, I could see them clashing over Christmas which will provide a few answers.

[JackieMoon33]

No entries anywhere for Gentlemansgame?

Didn’t the recent podcast with Rob say he wouldn’t be out until the new year?

[RoadToCheltenham]

Didn’t the recent podcast with Rob say he wouldn’t be out until the new year?

Will have to go back and listen again. I remember he chose him as his Robcour horse to follow for the season. Spoke highly of him & Irish Point I thought.

[Rooster Booster]

Didn’t the recent podcast with Rob say he wouldn’t be out until the new year?

Yes it did

[Liammet]

[QUOTE=JackieMoon33;n387523]

Didn’t the recent podcast with Rob say he wouldn’t be out until the new year?[/QUOTE

Certainly less than ideal preparation with what will probably be one run before Banc

I think Monkfish did it but pretty sure he is much better than Gentlemansgame

[Exar Essay]

Certainly less than ideal preparation with what will probably be one run before Banc

I think Monkfish did it but pretty sure he is much better than Gentlemansgame

Don't think he did. Recall him beating Latest Exhibition at Leopardstown over Christmas and already having his maiden chase in the bag by that point. Then he beat Latest Exhibition again in the Flogas.

[Liammet]

Don't think he did. Recall him beating Latest Exhibition at Leopardstown over Christmas and already having his maiden chase in the bag by that point. Then he beat Latest Exhibition again in the Flogas.

Getting him mixed up Exar

Not sure if any horse has done it so

Going to be a big ask for Gentlemansgame

Pity as i would of given him a real chance with a clear run

[Green Goddess]

Looks like Sir Gerhard is going chasing then. He only has entry's in the novice chases over Christmas and not then 2m Matterson

You wonder if they were just waiting for Constitution Hill to run before deciding which route to take

[darlojim]

Neither El fabiolo or Dysart Dynamo declared, disappointing.

Tmsg dec'd