August ‘24 Yankee

[Spectre]

I mentioned on COD's diary that I'd only like Regents Stroll for the AB but I have my usual suspicion that Nicholls will run him in the Gallaghers instead (assuming he proves good enough of course).

That's exactly my position on him.

[Spectre]

If it’s a UK Yankee then what about Caldwell Potter? Not been seen out since G1 win in December when he put a good field to the sword admittedly on hvy ground. GE said we will not see the best of him till facing a fence. Now he’s with Nichols he will not waste much time before going fencing assuming there are no issues and I have not heard any. There is always the risk with Nichols that he might bypass Cheltenham but as the owners already see him as Gold Cup prospect there has to be every chance they will want to give him Chelt (Festival) experience. I personally dont see him as an Arkle type, the current betting would suggest a toss up between Turners and BANC. The former would be my guess but interested in other views.

He's definitely one to consider. Breeding-wise two and half is fine, but he'll get three miles at some point, Given he's never been beyond 2 miles, you'd have to say The Turners is the most likely destination.

[Bonjers]

Caldwell Potter isn't back in the yard yet and going by the size of him he's enjoyed his summer out at grass If he's out in November I'd be surprised. Suspect they'd look to go for a soft enough novice chase first time seeing as he's not been on track since December. Could see them building for the Scilly Isles potentially and then take a view on spring targets from there.

[Guinness Village]

I’m a lumberjack just priced up by paddy at 66/1 for Bartlett

[BigChaang]

I mentioned on COD's diary that I'd only like Regents Stroll for the AB but I have my usual suspicion that Nicholls will run him in the Gallaghers instead (assuming he proves good enough of course).

I would agree with you , and Spectre , and I've backed Regent's Stroll for Both of those Races . As a decent price - 33-1. .

[Eggs]

….until the handicaps come into play, I’m not sure we’d have 4 UK based winners in the races being suggested.

[Benjy23]

If we're going UK themed then I've not completely given up on Captain Teague.

Was always going to be a chaser really wasn't he. So this is his final chance! You've got to ignore a pretty average novice hurdling season but that helps with the price. There's some reasonable form in there if you really want to look for it, like beating the AB second. But he was ultimately disappointing after finishing a really good third in the Champion Bumper.

BANC is the obvious one but he ran such a shocker in the AB that I wonder if he'll come back in trip. He's 33/1 for both BANC and Turners. They seemed unsure whether to go AB and Ballymore, and ultimately I think they'd have got similar results in either but that's not to say he can't improve for a fence. Stage Star a recent Nicholls Turners winner, who also won the Challow and ran a shocker at Cheltenham afterwards. Difference being he was PU in the Ballymore rather than the AB. Ginny's Destiny another who ran well in Turners for Nicholls this year after being an average novice hurdler.

Definitely won't be to everyone's taste this but they're both races the UK trainers have reasonable very recent records in; 4 of last 6 Turners winners and 4 of last 6 BANC winners. There's a lot of pretty average novice hurdlers in there that made huge improvements as well. They'd be two races I'd be at least looking at for a UK trained yankee. 2/6 in the Arkle and 1/6 in the NHC in the same period.

Imagine Nicholls has Caldwell Potter and Captain Teague to split between the two races.

[Fouroverthrutwo]

Ginny's Destiny another who ran well in Turners for Nicholls this year after being an average novice hurdler.

Inthewaterside might fall into this category too. They were really keen on him after his bumper season but he didn't really excel over hurdles last season. He might be a different proposition over fences.

[Benjy23]

Inthewaterside might fall into this category too. They were really keen on him after his bumper season but he didn't really excel over hurdles last season. He might be a different proposition over fences.

Fair shout. He's a big old boy as well isn't he. Could be better suited to fences. He'd need an even bigger jump than those mentioned though, not even competing in (proper) graded novice hurdles. Imagine he'd be a big price. Maybe one for BEX

[Brooker17]

Paul Nicholls:

If I had to put my money where my mouth is, I’d say Regent’s Stroll is the smartest of our bumper horses to go novice hurdling next season. He was very good in his two bumper wins at Ascot and Newbury, and he’s a cracking horse to look forward to. I’ve already schooled him; he jumps well, and he could be our Gallaghers (Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle, Cheltenham Festival) horse for next year.

Not sure exactly when he made this comment but was something I saved probably April time.

[Exar Essay]

Inthewaterside might fall into this category too. They were really keen on him after his bumper season but he didn't really excel over hurdles last season. He might be a different proposition over fences.

Agreed. He was very backward last year but did start to learn on the job. I've not given up on Welcom To Cartries either, who looked a similar type.

I can imagine similar novice hurdle campaigns incoming for Captain Bellamy, Teeshan, Quebecois etc. too.

We all know Nicholls trains them for chasing and bumpers and hurdles are just part of their education, but I thought it was interesting to hear a little bit about what that means practically when UTA went to visit Nicholls a couple of years ago. Nicholls mentioned that he does very little speed work with them. I am sure there is more to it, but that did interest me and is probably why most of his look like they need a trip.

[JackieMoon33]

Paul Nicholls:

If I had to put my money where my mouth is, I’d say Regent’s Stroll is the smartest of our bumper horses to go novice hurdling next season. He was very good in his two bumper wins at Ascot and Newbury, and he’s a cracking horse to look forward to. I’ve already schooled him; he jumps well, and he could be our Gallaghers (Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle, Cheltenham Festival) horse for next year.

Not sure exactly when he made this comment but was something I saved probably April time.

Quote is correct but it was Harry Cobden, not the fat man.

https://www.racingtv.com/news/harry-cobden-horses-to-follow-over-jumps-next-season

[Lobos]

Paul Nicholls:

If I had to put my money where my mouth is, I’d say Regent’s Stroll is the smartest of our bumper horses to go novice hurdling next season. He was very good in his two bumper wins at Ascot and Newbury, and he’s a cracking horse to look forward to. I’ve already schooled him; he jumps well, and he could be our Gallaghers (Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle, Cheltenham Festival) horse for next year.

Not sure exactly when he made this comment but was something I saved probably April time.

Excellent work. That will save a few from splitting stakes.

[JackieMoon33]

Excellent work. That will save a few from splitting stakes.

If you take it as a given then it should save everyone from backing him at all. He’s no Gallagher horse in my eyes.

[Lobos]

If you take it as a given then it should save everyone from backing him at all. He’s no Gallagher horse in my eyes.

Yep, with you on that one. Given up long ago backing anything to beat the Willie Bandwagon in that race.