2024 Novice Chasers

[Craigy14]

….i thought Iroko was OFTS, seeing a couple of entries.

I heard he was back in training (through a friend who has a source close to the yard). Don’t think Cheltenham is in the plan, possibly aintree imo from what I’ve been told. I mean if he’s progressing all the time and gets a run by start of Feb they may change that thought.

[Big Bucks]

Just reading above, Iroko, wait what?? Haha

[Muswell]

edit
This was on Twitter the other day

https://x.com/xlivjlsx/status/1746128029988827278?s=46&t=6cBuNXVl_Hk5QPgLPgxL6Q

[ComplyOrDie]

My biggest takeaway was a single entry in the BANC for Montys Pass. No doubt around his target and available at 20/1.

20/1 for a certain target is absolutely fine, but I just can't get on board with him, for a few reasons.

Firstly, his one and only Cheltenham run. Now, of course, horses can come back from such a poor performance at a previous festival, but there are many saying 'he's in the right colours for this race' yet the previous two in the same colours (Monalee & Minella Indo) both had a decent level of Cheltenham hurdles form from the previous festival, not to mention were much higher rated over hurdles than this chap. Even the novice hurdle form that he does have hasn't worked out well.

Secondly, his general form. If beating Three Card Brag is BANC form then the division has gone to pot. He's a handicapper, and to be honest, I'm not even convinced he's a 3 miler, so Monty's Star was entitled to do that to him, LTO, in my opinion.

I appreciate Henry is probably one of the trainers, if any, to bring about plenty of improvement for a fence, but it's a hell of a lot of improvement required still, to be competitive in the BANC. If they go a fair clip I can see Monty's Star out the back of the TV. He's held by Stay Away Fay on two occasions also, including in a P2P, obviously he's matured and developed a fair bit since then, but so has Stay Away Fay.

I think if you're making a book, you absolutely have to have him onside, as you note, it's his only entry, but if you're not, he's one to avoid for me.

I was massively against The Real Whacker last season, so I'm waiting for take two of this when Monty's Star pisses up now

[Faugheen_Machine]

20/1 for a certain target is absolutely fine, but I just can't get on board with him, for a few reasons.

Firstly, his one and only Cheltenham run. Now, of course, horses can come back from such a poor performance at a previous festival, but there are many saying 'he's in the right colours for this race' yet the previous two in the same colours (Monalee & Minella Indo) both had a decent level of Cheltenham hurdles form from the previous festival, not to mention were much higher rated over hurdles than this chap. Even the novice hurdle form that he does have hasn't worked out well.

Secondly, his general form. If beating Three Card Brag is BANC form then the division has gone to pot. He's a handicapper, and to be honest, I'm not even convinced he's a 3 miler, so Monty's Star was entitled to do that to him, LTO, in my opinion.

I appreciate Henry is probably one of the trainers, if any, to bring about plenty of improvement for a fence, but it's a hell of a lot of improvement required still, to be competitive in the BANC. If they go a fair clip I can see Monty's Star out the back of the TV. He's held by Stay Away Fay on two occasions also, including in a P2P, obviously he's matured and developed a fair bit since then, but so has Stay Away Fay.

I think if you're making a book, you absolutely have to have him onside, as you note, it's his only entry, but if you're not, he's one to avoid for me.

I was massively against The Real Whacker last season, so I'm waiting for take two of this when Monty's Star pisses up now

I think it's harsh to knock a horse for disappointing in an Albert Bartlett. Loads have been beaten out of sight in the past and bounced back nicely (Allaho, Thistlecrack, Paisley Park etc). He ran well in one of the best novice chases so far on seasonal debut and then took a good jump forward last time out when winning comfortably. Jumping fences was always going to bring out the best of him so I'd largely ignore his hurdle form.

I don't make books but this lad is over priced at 20s.

[FinalFurlong91]

Looking at the NHC entries I'd be surprised if there was even 8 runners

Only 26 in there

Most will end up in the BANC, Irish national, ultima and Kim muir I'd say

Whatever Patrick picks (Hopefully nick rockett) is going to be a short priced fav

You'd say 2 of Willie's will run likely 2 of nick, cocooner and embassy gardens. Meetingofthewaters could easily be his Irish national horse. He's already shown he can cope with a big field handicap.

Can't see Gordon running both favori de champdou and three card brag. Suspect it'll be one of those and ziggy.

Personally I'd have big question marks over embassy gardens and 3 card yak ability wise. I'd need to see improvement to be considering either of those.

[ComplyOrDie]

I think it's harsh to knock a horse for disappointing in an Albert Bartlett. Loads have been beaten out of sight in the past and bounced back nicely (Allaho, Thistlecrack, Paisley Park etc). He ran well in one of the best novice chases so far on seasonal debut and then took a good jump forward last time out when winning comfortably. Jumping fences was always going to bring out the best of him so I'd largely ignore his hurdle form.

I don't make books but this lad is over priced at 20s.

Allaho wasn't beaten out of sight, and Thistlecrack never ran in the Albert Bartlett mate? Paisley Park did though and you're right, he did return better than ever when winning a Stayers Hurdle the following season.

You're a fair judge, but to me it wasn't one of the best novice chases so far. Connections don't even know what to do with Corbetts Cross by the sounds of it, Three Card Brag I've already mentioned and Nick Rockett won well enough next time out but they seem to be thinking he's a Grade 2 animal, not the top level we were probably hoping for at the beginning of the season.

He certainly is one that looked like fences would bring out the best of him, and like I say, I may have got him wrong, either way I wish you the best of luck with him, but he's not for me

[Run4Home]

Looking at the NHC entries I'd be surprised if there was even 8 runners

Only 26 in there

Most will end up in the BANC, Irish national, ultima and Kim muir I'd say

Whatever Patrick picks (Hopefully nick rockett) is going to be a short priced fav

You'd say 2 of Willie's will run likely 2 of nick, cocooner and embassy gardens. Meetingofthewaters could easily be his Irish national horse. He's already shown he can cope with a big field handicap.

Can't see Gordon running both favori de champdou and three card brag. Suspect it'll be one of those and ziggy.

Personally I'd have big question marks over embassy gardens and 3 card yak ability wise. I'd need to see improvement to be considering either of those.

Corbetts Cross the one isn't he that could blow the race apart

Looks like he may run, would go off fav. and likely Derek

[Quevega]

Looking at the NHC entries I'd be surprised if there was even 8 runners

Only 26 in there

Most will end up in the BANC, Irish national, ultima and Kim muir I'd say

Whatever Patrick picks (Hopefully nick rockett) is going to be a short priced fav

You'd say 2 of Willie's will run likely 2 of nick, cocooner and embassy gardens. Meetingofthewaters could easily be his Irish national horse. He's already shown he can cope with a big field handicap.

Can't see Gordon running both favori de champdou and three card brag. Suspect it'll be one of those and ziggy.

Personally I'd have big question marks over embassy gardens and 3 card yak ability wise. I'd need to see improvement to be considering either of those.

Meetingofthewaters UK National as far as I've seen and heard. Prep at Cheltenham - Ultima or NH chase.
Obviously things can change.

[Quevega]

Meetingofthewaters available at 33-1 Betvictor right now.
Bit of an error that one.
Already on myself but surely some takers for that.

[ComplyOrDie]

Meetingofthewaters available at 33-1 Betvictor right now.
Bit of an error that one.
Already on myself but surely some takers for that.

Would they get a 5lb penalty if they went for the Ultima and won it, prior to the National?

He's not much of a price, but they must have that in the back of their minds.

[Quevega]

Would they get a 5lb penalty if they went for the Ultima and won it, prior to the National?

He's not much of a price, but they must have that in the back of their minds.

Not following you ?

[Quevega]

No penalties once weights announced for National unless it's changed

[ComplyOrDie]

Not following you ?

I'm just thinking they might go for the Ultima over the NH Chase with him?

Corach obviously done the double last season and Noble Yeats got well beat in the Ultima before winning the GN too.

[Quevega]

I'm just thinking they might go for the Ultima over the NH Chase with him?

quite possibly. Will depend on what Patrick makes of other options really.