2023 Novice Chasers

[FinalFurlong91]

Anyone know the situation re Daryl Jacob and El Fabiolo moving forward? Does he retain the ride with Paul likely on DD? Or is Paul likely to end up on El Fab?

I'd imagine Paul will ride as he gets first pick on the mullins munir horses, but it'd be harsh on daryl if they did take him off

[Quevega]

Anyone know the situation re Daryl Jacob and El Fabiolo moving forward? Does he retain the ride with Paul likely on DD? Or is Paul likely to end up on El Fab?

I'd think the owners might have a say.
But they may leave it to Willie.
I'd be surprised if they took Daryl off him now.

Paul may have the choice within Willies' most of the time, but when it boils down to it the owners actually have final say. It's just that some don't say much.

[AaronLad]

I'm on Gerri myself like most on here at the 33-1 that was around forever.
And he looks like one of those horses that just does enough, so not sure how much more he has, and he does look like he'll improve for further for sure.
I'd also have him favourite for the Banc.

However, the bare from of his wins is not good enough and playing devils advocate, if that was a UK trained horse that just beat Balco Coastal just under 2 lengths, any talk of winning the Banc would be scoffed at.

The bare form of 2 grade 1 wins? Both at distances short of where he'll excel.
Both are better than GDM's grade 1 aren't they?
His jumping was beautiful today, When he got in close he was always in control, imo jordan gainford made a mistake not the horse. shoving him in to jumps when he's going away just fine is silly, and a case of the jockey getting a bit excited.
I mean Thunder rock got closer to the real hacker getting a few lbs.
We all know gerri will be a beast over the banc trip, stop playing him down, you know you dont really mean it
He was an awesome bet @ 33's, He's still not a bad price at 4's.

[FinalFurlong91]

I see banbridge is now 2nd fav for the turners

I would still give appreciate it a better chance than him in that

He picked off two horses that el fabiolo had burnt off today

Don't see that being the same in march

Banbridge should be 7/1-9/1 imo

[ComplyOrDie]

Willie will want to run Dysart Dynamo in the Arkle won't he, as it will give El Fabiolo a target again (will also help Jonbon too).

If he doesn't run Dysart then where will the pace come from? As it's looking like a field of about 3 or 4 at this rate.

No mention that he won't run him but surely a possibility he might hold him back for one of the other spring festivals.

He wasn't as keen as he was when he was a novice hurdler, but he still wants to get on with things, and surely that will not be possible at Cheltenham if he wanted to be competitive now.

[Lobos]

Very good from Gerri. He's a serious horse to win on ground he was hating and over a very inadequate distance. His jumping is immaculate and his heart is huge. He should be clear BANC fav.


That Arkle was absolutely brutal !! El Fab was just that. Banbridge ran a super race and will be much better around Cheltenham. Knew I should have gone with my gut re AI. IMO he'll not be good enough in any race at the Festival.

What I will say though is that race, the way it was run on pretty quick ground, could we'll leave its mark with some. We'll see.

[Outlaw]

Very good from Gerri. He's a serious horse to win on ground he was hating and over a very inadequate distance. His jumping is immaculate and his heart is huge. He should be clear BANC fav.


That Arkle was absolutely brutal !! El Fab was just that. Banbridge ran a super race and will be much better around Cheltenham. Knew I should have gone with my gut re AI. IMO he'll not be good enough in any race at the Festival.

What I will say though is that race, the way it was run on pretty quick ground, could we'll leave its mark with some. We'll see.

Owner post race said he'd leave it up to Gordy but seemed luke warm about Cheltenham this year and was very much wanting him A1 for next years GC bid as a proper staying chaser in case anyone didn't catch it. Impressive today with plenty of variables for that not to suit.

[Dandrew99]

Willie will want to run Dysart Dynamo in the Arkle won't he, as it will give El Fabiolo a target again (will also help Jonbon too).

If he doesn't run Dysart then where will the pace come from? As it's looking like a field of about 3 or 4 at this rate.

No mention that he won't run him but surely a possibility he might hold him back for one of the other spring festivals.

He wasn't as keen as he was when he was a novice hurdler, but he still wants to get on with things, and surely that will not be possible at Cheltenham if he wanted to be competitive now.

Agreed in general, not sure if it will help Jonbon though? Maybe it was tactics but I don't particularly think Dysart helped him in the Supreme... Has he sat in for any of his races so far this season? Can't recall him taking a lead...

Very impressed by El Fabiolo. Can definitely tidy up his jumping and improve more for that too. As can Dysart

[Lobos]

Owner post race said he'd leave it up to Gordy but seemed luke warm about Cheltenham this year and was very much wanting him A1 for next years GC bid as a proper staying chaser in case anyone didn't catch it. Impressive today with plenty of variables for that not to suit.

Thanks. Didn't see that. Shame if he misses Fez but sort of understand it. BANC does look very, very weak though so maybe they'll think again.

[darlojim]

Willie will want to run Dysart Dynamo in the Arkle won't he, as it will give El Fabiolo a target again (will also help Jonbon too).

If he doesn't run Dysart then where will the pace come from? As it's looking like a field of about 3 or 4 at this rate.

No mention that he won't run him but surely a possibility he might hold him back for one of the other spring festivals.

He wasn't as keen as he was when he was a novice hurdler, but he still wants to get on with things, and surely that will not be possible at Cheltenham if he wanted to be competitive now.

Willie has said Dysart will go across mate.

[Hardy Eustace]

Amazing from El Fab today. To win a race of that nature by 10 lengths takes some doing. He should be fav, it won't happen as Jonbon will win an egg and spoon kingmakers but there can be no doubt that El Fab's win today is the single strongest piece of Chase form going.

One thing that hasn't been discussed much at all was Banbridge staying on for second, that is a mighty fine turners trial in my opinion and he must go there with a massive chance.

Over to JDB and Mighty Potter tomorrow - cant have anything else in the race and prefer James at the prices.

What a days racing. Roll on tomorrow.

[Exar Essay]

Ruby is often keen to impress that the English Arkle is less a test of stamina than the Irish Arkle. At a furlong and a half shorter, you could see Dysart still being a player. I was surprised he stayed as well as he did after that mental opening mile.

I like Banbridge but he was never put in the race, so very hard to know how he’d go in the Turners against opposition unlikely to go as hard as Dysart.

[Silverbirch]

Re Gerri -

“Before today I was thinking trying to qualify him for the National Hunt Chase. It looks like we are going to be tight for that now, but he looks made for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase doesn’t he? So I would say that’s where we’ll go.”

[Lobos]

Re Gerri -

“Before today I was thinking trying to qualify him for the National Hunt Chase. It looks like we are going to be tight for that now, but he looks made for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase doesn’t he? So I would say that’s where we’ll go.”

Quite right too. Lovely. He deserves it.

[Silverbirch]

Quite right too. Lovely. He deserves it.

He's an outstanding jumper of a fence. It looks so natural to him. Even when he gets it wrong, he then gets it right. Very likeable horse for many reasons, hope he can make all at the fez.