2023 Novice Chasers

[darlojim]

Apparently jonbon was 7 or 8 lengths faster than edwardstone on the final circuit

And he did that in 2nd gear

Highlights how bad Edwardstones race was

[Lobos]

Apparently jonbon was 7 or 8 lengths faster than edwardstone on the final circuit

And he did that in 2nd gear

Edwardstone was in neutral most of the way wasn't he ?

[FinalFurlong91]

It is worth comparing those figures to the 2021 ones linked to above, but the overall story this year is that Edwardstone ran quite close to par before finishing strongly, while Jonbon ran nowhere near par before finishing even stronger still.

The benchmark from the Pond Fence (3 out, 2.75f or 605y from the line) to achieve an overall time of 4m 00.0s under Saturday’s conditions is about 43.0s: Edwardstone, coming from a bit off the pace, ran 41.3s, while Jonbon ran 38.8s.

That Jonbon split is stupendously fast - no recent Tingle Creek or Henry VIII winner has broken 40.0s - and suggests that he will be an even bigger danger to Edwardstone than Edwardstone was to Greaneteen when the time comes.

https://www.attheraces.com/blogs/sec...and-fairyhouse

[Quevega]

I'm surprised Rowlands is so effusive with this comparison as it looks clear that Jonbon is entitled to finish quicker given the slower pace over the first mile and a half in his race.
I'd rather a horse quicken off par myself.
Both good horses though, and it's hard to say one way or another.

[Lobos]

It is worth comparing those figures to the 2021 ones linked to above, but the overall story this year is that Edwardstone ran quite close to par before finishing strongly, while Jonbon ran nowhere near par before finishing even stronger still.

The benchmark from the Pond Fence (3 out, 2.75f or 605y from the line) to achieve an overall time of 4m 00.0s under Saturday’s conditions is about 43.0s: Edwardstone, coming from a bit off the pace, ran 41.3s, while Jonbon ran 38.8s.

That Jonbon split is stupendously fast - no recent Tingle Creek or Henry VIII winner has broken 40.0s - and suggests that he will be an even bigger danger to Edwardstone than Edwardstone was to Greaneteen when the time comes.

https://www.attheraces.com/blogs/sec...and-fairyhouse

Far too much for an old man like me to take in. Just get the Arkle and the Champion Chase out the way first before discussing match ups next season.

[FinalFurlong91]

The only reason I backed jonbon was because I thought he'd win 3 Mickey mouse novice chases in the UK and go off 2/1 or something

Didn't actually fancy him to win very much, thought he was overhyped and over bet due to the douvan connection.

But seeing the way he attacks his fences he's converted me.

Wille will need a top class one to beat him.

[Lobos]

Agree FF. He was breathtaking wasn't he.

[SeanRock]

Agree FF. He was breathtaking wasn't he.

I actually thought Mighty Potter was more impressive over the weekend given the depth of opposition, shocked to see a few on here dubious of his jumping immediately after. He was electric. Maybe the two pecks on landing that he corrected clouded judgment. I can’t recall off the top of my head such improvement in fencing from a beginners to a deep grade 1 in recent years.


At the same time I was concerned he was doing to much & would be picked off by GDM but he came alive in JK’s hands when shook up, took the eyes out of your head as GE would say on a day when horses were falling over the finishing post!

Edit: Just to note Gordon dismissed TSL’s chances in the same race to us just beforehand, cornered him in the owners/trainers area.

[Lobos]

Edit: Just to note Gordon dismissed TSL’s chances in the same race to us just beforehand, cornered him in the owners/trainers area.
The betting certainly didn't mirror that. Perhaps he was just after a bigger price!

[DenmanSacre]

I'm surprised Rowlands is so effusive with this comparison as it looks clear that Jonbon is entitled to finish quicker given the slower pace over the first mile and a half in his race.
I'd rather a horse quicken off par myself.
Both good horses though, and it's hard to say one way or another.

Yeah I was surprised at that. Graeme North on SportingLife said similar. As you say, it's harder to go quicker off a good pace than be quicker after jogging round.

He also said he can't judge Facile Vega on his win yet gives him a 142 on his rating system.

[Nevertoolate]

Edit: Just to note Gordon dismissed TSL’s chances in the same race to us just beforehand, cornered him in the owners/trainers area.
The betting certainly didn't mirror that. Perhaps he was just after a bigger price!

Correct me if I’m wrong but was mighty potter not backed into 3/1 just before the race kicked off?

[Lobos]

Correct me if I’m wrong but was mighty potter not backed into 3/1 just before the race kicked off?

Yep, 5's into 3's. TSL 5/2 fav though in a strong betting heat.

[Nevertoolate]

I’ve watched the race back a couple of times now and I get more impressed by mighty potter every time I watch, the improvement really was staggering especially in his jumping, pinged almost every fence. The way he quickened after the last was very impressive. Not sure what to make of banbridge now, was he just outclassed by better horses? I imagine GDM will step up to 3 mile next. If beaten there I’d expect him to end up in the NHC, if he wins than probably stick over 3 miles.

[RoadToCheltenham]

RE: Gentlemansgame. Chaps who had Rob Acheson on have tweeted saying a Beginners Chase on December 28th a potential starting point for him.

https://twitter.com/weregoingchasin/status/1600222811414331392?t=BxSh63jLdgJsWo0VH71jvg&s=19

[YoungHustler]

I actually thought Mighty Potter was more impressive over the weekend given the depth of opposition, shocked to see a few on here dubious of his jumping immediately after. He was electric. Maybe the two pecks on landing that he corrected clouded judgment. I can’t recall off the top of my head such improvement in fencing from a beginners to a deep grade 1 in recent years.


At the same time I was concerned he was doing to much & would be picked off by GDM but he came alive in JK’s hands when shook up, took the eyes out of your head as GE would say on a day when horses were falling over the finishing post!

Edit: Just to note Gordon dismissed TSL’s chances in the same race to us just beforehand, cornered him in the owners/trainers area.

I'm now happy to leave Mighty Potter as my main dart at the Turners. He won easily on Sunday without Jack having to get serious and I think he had loads left. There's still so much improvement in him too and he still wants a quicker pace which I think Sir Gerhard will set up perfectly for him.