2024 Novice Chasers

[Runragged]

If this is the sticking point then it's no argument.
If this is how you class a stayer then that's fine.

It's probably different to most though including the people who named the 3 mile hurdle Championship race the Stayers hurdle.
I think it's fair to say that 3 miles would be considered stayers territory for most racing fans, and your view is less common.
Like any opinion, you're fully entitled to it, even if it's wrong in most peoples eyes.

By the way, I do see your point (having read all your subsequent comments) to an extent.

Ahh, a staying race over hurdles is a different kettle of fish to a staying race over fences

[Indo]

I loved that from Stay Away Fay today. Gallops, jumps, stays all day, and you know he isn’t afraid of a battle. I’ve rewatched that jump at the last a fair few times!

I’d be slightly worried there’ll be a point in the RSA where his tactical speed may catch him out a touch but you know he will battle back.

(Maybe very premature but if he is a GC 2025 candidate it maybe an advantage compared to the standard Nichols horse of recent times where with him looking like he is more suited to the likes of Cheltenham, then the GC will be his main target instead of the KG - but like I say very premature thinking!)

[Runragged]

Haha, fair enough

Well I remember being absolutely adament that Don Poli was the better stayer, and Don Cossack had more class, so over the extra distance Don Poli couldn't be beaten

So I absolutely do see the point you're making ..... as class is important


The thing people have taken issue with is that just beingt a stayers wouldn't win the RSA/BANC ..... because, quite frankly, it will

Also, message me in the avatar thread or message me with a link to a picture you'd like as your profile picture

Will have a think about a profile picture.

Think it is the different definitions of what a stayer is that has caused all the fuss. In my opinion a horse that looks like it would be best at trips further than the Gold Cup trip don't tend to win the RSA/BANC. Horses tend to need a bit of tactical speed in the race and has generally shown that ability at some point in their career.

Anyway, got a great weekend of racing ahead, plenty more discussions to be had and as you can tell, I'm very happy to share my opinion! Even if I don't put it across in the best way at times...

[FinalFurlong91]

Will have a think about a profile picture.

Think it is the different definitions of what a stayer is that has caused all the fuss. In my opinion a horse that looks like it would be best at trips further than the Gold Cup trip don't tend to win the RSA/BANC. Horses tend to need a bit of tactical speed in the race and has generally shown that ability at some point in their career.

Anyway, got a great weekend of racing ahead, plenty more discussions to be had and as you can tell, I'm very happy to share my opinion! Even if I don't put it across in the best way at times...

With a name like runragged a picture of denman, un de sceaux or allaho surely

[Exotic Dancer]

Just seen that Mister Policeman's entries in the Morgiana and Hatton's Grace have been discussed in the entries thread. One possibility is that they think he would benefit from more race experience, with avoiding Facile Vega being a secondary factor.

[Hurricane On The Fly]

Have to say i think SAF was impressive today..i thought all the top 3 jumped exeptional for novices...go back and look at the race for those who think all he is just a stayer/plodder. After the second last he looks beaten (1 lenght down) then Cobden gives him a crack of the whip and to me thats speed that wins him the race.and on good to soft ground. He's a player come March for sure.

[AaronLad]

Worth noting, the AB form is turning out to be half decent, plenty of winner so far over fences

Also the sefton novices hurdle, Iroko, stay away fay, marble sands and mofasa (on 2nd attempt) have all won chases. mofasa's first attempt was a 2nd to broadway boy who went on to frank that form when finishing 2nd to flooring porter at cheltenham.
interestingly the first 3 have all won at different distances, marble sands 2m and half a furlong, iroko at 2m4f and stay away fay at 3m
search for glory has also won a maiden hurdle, albeit at 1/9.
Grey dawning finished a 2 3/4l 3rd to stay away fay.

[Rooster Booster]

I’m really struggling with these abbreviations. I dreamt that Sir Alex Ferguson won the BANC.

[Benjy23]

I’m really struggling with these abbreviations. I dreamt that Sir Alex Ferguson won the BANC.

What's he in court for?

[Carnage at Taunton]

Have to say i think SAF was impressive today..i thought all the top 3 jumped exeptional for novices...go back and look at the race for those who think all he is just a stayer/plodder. After the second last he looks beaten (1 lenght down) then Cobden gives him a crack of the whip and to me thats speed that wins him the race.and on good to soft ground. He's a player come March for sure.

Just watched again, changed my view a tad,and I think you are right.
Hes jumped as well as any novice chaser needs to, he responded well when asked and showed a turn of foot to go with his obvious staying power.
Perfect horse for the BANC imo.

[JackieMoon33]

I’m really struggling with these abbreviations. I dreamt that Sir Alex Ferguson won the BANC.

The two BDA’s are what gets me at the moment.

[Carnage at Taunton]

He got smashed by the main protagonists for the Arkle during his novice hurdle season, and I can't see him reversing that form, even with excuses for them performances and improvement for a fence.

If anything, he looked to do his best work late on today, so I'd be going out rather than coming back in trip with him.

I suspect the Drinmore is next up for him.

Totally agree, and think he’s also improved for the step up in distance.
Nice price for the Turners imo.

[Quevega]

Ahh, a staying race over hurdles is a different kettle of fish to a staying race over fences

[Rooster Booster]

The two BDA’s are what gets me at the moment.

Yes Ruby was making me chuckle yesterday…it’s the simple things in life

[Exar Essay]

I really liked that from Giovinco. Jumped beautifully. Clearly should be winning that but omitting 8 fences wouldn’t have done him any good. Looked to have a reasonable turn of foot too.