2024 Novice Chasers

[Benjy23]

Current price on Sharjah could be huge value in Turners maybe ? Was running on at the death not that far off them in the Irish Arkle and obviously just loves Cheltenham in the Spring.

I drafted a case for him being a really good each way bet in the Turners earlier in the week... Then I decided he'll go for the Grand Annual and deleted it.

40s NRNB pretty harmless though.

[Craigy14]

Just like the novice hurdlers JP and team will likely decide Fact To Files destination. A lot will depend on if Iroko makes it and what they do with Corbetts Cross.

JP isn’t stupid, the turners looks weak as hell, he’s not going to run FTF in the BANC just so WPM has a decent dart in the race. He’s just as much about winners as WPM is.

[Exar Essay]

I agree with Craigy14 that the destination of FTF will be decided by Frank and JP, not Willie. But, is FTF not their best chance at a winner? Surely FTF goes wherever he has the best chance of winning, then Iroko slots in around him?

The list of likely starters in the Turners I came up with a few pages back was:

Fact To File (or potentially Facile Vega if FTF steps up in trip)
Ginny's Destiny
Gaelic Warrior
Iroko (? - back from injury)
American Mike (? -maybe handicap)
Djelo
Marble Sands (handicap mark surely blown)

I took Marble Sands (66/1) and Djelo (33/1) EW and NRNB.

I do think Gordon will have a runner be it Mike or another. Maybe Zanahiyr, Sa Fureur or Firm Footings depending on how well handicapped they are. Then there is a very small chance of the other British horses running like Unexpected Party, Persian Time etc.

The other interesting one might be Mr Policeman. I don't think he's good enough personally, but if Gaelic were to miss the festival, I could see him running so that Rich has a runner.

[Istabraq]

I agree with Craigy14 that the destination of FTF will be decided by Frank and JP, not Willie.

Does anyone have any knowledge/proof this is the case ?
I can assure everyone here that an extremely prominent owner with Mullins has zero say over targets and is not even consulted/updated when plans change, this is clearly the Mullins way and it would be strange for him to operate in two entirely different ways.
I can buy the possibility Frank has more day to day interaction with Mullins on all racing matters but I just can't accept the yard operate one way for JP and another way for everyone else.
I'd be fascinated to hear anything solid...

[Craigy14]

I agree with Craigy14 that the destination of FTF will be decided by Frank and JP, not Willie. But, is FTF not their best chance at a winner? Surely FTF goes wherever he has the best chance of winning, then Iroko slots in around him?

The list of likely starters in the Turners I came up with a few pages back was:

Fact To File (or potentially Facile Vega if FTF steps up in trip)
Ginny's Destiny
Gaelic Warrior
Iroko (? - back from injury)
American Mike (? -maybe handicap)
Djelo
Marble Sands (handicap mark surely blown)

I took Marble Sands (66/1) and Djelo (33/1) EW and NRNB.

I do think Gordon will have a runner be it Mike or another. Maybe Zanahiyr, Sa Fureur or Firm Footings depending on how well handicapped they are. Then there is a very small chance of the other British horses running like Unexpected Party, Persian Time etc.

The other interesting one might be Mr Policeman. I don't think he's good enough personally, but if Gaelic were to miss the festival, I could see him running so that Rich has a runner.

Yes I agree that FTF looks his best dart but Iroko looked very very good in his novice chase so JP would surely want to split his darts? Corbetts has been a bit hit and miss so far imo, just can’t work him out.

[Jrow]

Does anyone have any knowledge/proof this is the case ?
I can assure everyone here that an extremely prominent owner with Mullins has zero say over targets and is not even consulted/updated when plans change, this is clearly the Mullins way and it would be strange for him to operate in two entirely different ways.
I can buy the possibility Frank has more day to day interaction with Mullins on all racing matters but I just can't accept the yard operate one way for JP and another way for everyone else.
I'd be fascinated to hear anything solid...

Was it not the case Soude and Munir wanted to keep IEP over hurdles this year against willies wishes?

sure that was mentioned as the reason he stayed hurdling

[Quevega]

If Fact to File don't run in Turners I could see Gordon considering Found a fifty for the turners, the french horse I wouldn;t rule out either, and then the small yard horse Nickle Back that mentioned aintree preference would also re-consider.

I also think one of willie's stayers might run here, Minella Cocconer or Nick Rockett.
If Giovinco wins his next race well, then he might also run here.

JP is likely to make a decision early enough as well, although not guaranteed.

Ground will play it's part.

[Exar Essay]

Does anyone have any knowledge/proof this is the case ?
I can assure everyone here that an extremely prominent owner with Mullins has zero say over targets and is not even consulted/updated when plans change, this is clearly the Mullins way and it would be strange for him to operate in two entirely different ways.
I can buy the possibility Frank has more day to day interaction with Mullins on all racing matters but I just can't accept the yard operate one way for JP and another way for everyone else.
I'd be fascinated to hear anything solid...

R4H suggested this was the case in Final Furlong's diary. I suppose the one fact which shows JP works differently than any other owner at Willie's is that Mark Walsh gets first dibs on his rides (with Paul getting 2nd pick). That would differ from all others, including Munir & Souede for whom Daryl only rides if Paul doesn't pick theirs.

[Lobos]

Iroko isn't entered for the BANC is he ??

[HoldenTheReins]

Iroko isn't entered for the BANC is he ??

Nope, Arkle and Turners only. The trainer said he's unlikely to be ready for Cheltenham also.

[Guinness Village]

However, corbets cross is entered in turners. He’d possibly be a contender if he went that way

[Run4Home]

Does anyone have any knowledge/proof this is the case ?
I can assure everyone here that an extremely prominent owner with Mullins has zero say over targets and is not even consulted/updated when plans change, this is clearly the Mullins way and it would be strange for him to operate in two entirely different ways.
I can buy the possibility Frank has more day to day interaction with Mullins on all racing matters but I just can't accept the yard operate one way for JP and another way for everyone else.
I'd be fascinated to hear anything solid...

Yeah but the Ricci operation is totally different though they leave it to Willie like most others. Obvious example he didn't even tell them GW had been schooled and changed plan to go fencing, the media knew first.

Frank/JP have a huge say how Willie splits his , they get consulted on all the big races and even race plan. Capodanno going across water recently for example, I know Frank planned that race not Willies team. Even look at the jockey situtation only team where PT doesn't get first choice.
I've heard Willie openly say numerous times that before he pitches JP horses in at Chelt he talks to Frank to see where they want to go with their other horses as JP may want to split his.

[TigerRolllllll]

Today’s exchanges wobble might be Il Etait Temps …..not much queuing up on lay side ?

Prob just soft market - but might want to keep eye on

[charlie]

GCW being out is good for FTF going BANC, love that.

[Lobos]

GCW being out is good for FTF going BANC, love that.

But why would Willie go for the harder race of the two with him?? Not what he usually does.