2025 Novice Chasers

[That Horse]

Dancing City form boost with Shannon Royale winning there. SR isn't a great jumper though - slow into every fence. HCH probably come on for the run but disappointing he can't beat SR.

Looked like he had every chance and couldn't. Nice economical jumping but didn't seemingly want to pass Shannon Royale.

[AnFiieLD.]

I wouldn't be taking that as a major boost for Dancing City, personally think that the form with High Class Hero and Shannon Royale isn't up to a huge amount. The latter could be a type for the 4 miler

[luisgarciaisgod]

Lovely!

Happy to see Firefox back down to 2m. Hoping for improvement now back down to his correct trip.

I see he's out to 20/1 with bookmakers, and the exchanges have gone to pot on him, although a few of the rumours were he may have been out for the season but concerns were not as bad as first feared, so can understand some of the drift, not to mention what has come out since as well.

Had a little bit E/W on the 20's.

I've made every excuse going for him getting beaten in the Drinmore, no hiding places for him on Sunday.

[Quevega]

I wouldn't be taking that as a major boost for Dancing City, personally think that the form with High Class Hero and Shannon Royale isn't up to a huge amount. The latter could be a type for the 4 miler

Shannon will likely struggle to be rated only 145 or below in the UK I reckon, given the proximity of her last 2 runs to novice hurdlers rated higher than that.

[Quevega]

https://www.attheraces.com/news/2024/December/31/good-land-expected-to-fare-better-with-further-to-travel

Good Land, important info if anyone has backed or intends to back for cheltenham.
Trainer pretty clear it's a NO

[Exar Essay]

I thought Champ Kiely was might impressive today. Jumped and travelled beautifully. Wasn’t asked a question and won as he liked. You’d wonder about the depth of the race, but there were some 130 rated hurdlers on behind.

He did definitely lug to his right so you’d wonder how he’d fair around Cheltenham but an interesting contender for the BANC nonetheless.

Edit: Willie’s comments:-

“We’ll have to look at the two-mile-five at the Dublin Racing Festival. He could easily step up in trip, Paul (Townend) remarked that he was so relaxed which means you could step up."

[Irish Rugby]

Just back in from Fairyhouse. A tidy and efficient round of galloping from Champ Kiely, jumped like a seasoned chaser. Wouldn't be surprised if he turns into a grand national type, in time.

The Mullins out of form story was a 2 day blip.

[Zachx02]

Anthony Bromley saying its likely the flogas for IEP next, and if they do go to cheltenham it's the browns or wait for aintree - from RP twitter

[ComplyOrDie]

Anthony Bromley saying its likely the flogas for IEP next, and if they do go to cheltenham it's the browns or wait for aintree - from RP twitter

At least it's under consideration, best we can hope for!

[Quevega]

At least it's under consideration, best we can hope for!

Yep, I cashed a while back but a wtaf bet on the flogas seems the smartest bet.

[ComplyOrDie]

Yep, I cashed a while back but a wtaf bet on the flogas seems the smartest bet.

I cashed a BANC bet over the Christmas period, but only because I managed to land a bigger roll up on him with a freebie! Cashed a few multiples though

No mention of Ballyburn in the quote, yet mentioned Champ Kiely as a potential for the race. Obviously Bromley wouldn't know all plans, but you'd think he'd have mentioned Ballyburn over Champ Kiely, unless Ballyburn is going down the 2m route still!

[Ice]

Anthony Bromley saying its likely the flogas for IEP next, and if they do go to cheltenham it's the browns or wait for aintree - from RP twitter

Hopefully jj talks them into running in the banc !

[darlojim]

Yep, I cashed a while back but a wtaf bet on the flogas seems the smartest bet.

yepp that'll be the way for me too

If they win, beating the likes of DC, BDA et al then they'll have to strongly consider it

Should get a half decent price about it also

[Quevega]

I cashed a BANC bet over the Christmas period, but only because I managed to land a bigger roll up on him with a freebie! Cashed a few multiples though

No mention of Ballyburn in the quote, yet mentioned Champ Kiely as a potential for the race. Obviously Bromley wouldn't know all plans, but you'd think he'd have mentioned Ballyburn over Champ Kiely, unless Ballyburn is going down the 2m route still!

Yep, I think Willie has gone full Facile Vega mode on Ballyburn and will stubbornly leave any move up in trip till it's too late, although he may also give him a relative freebie in Dublin if he leaves Majborough in on Sunday, and he cements his place.
If you think about it, he is probably light in that 2 mile department now so needs to marshmallow something into the race.
He'll be in the shite good and proper if Majborough gets beat on Sunday.
For the arkle anyways.

[Exar Essay]

I cashed a BANC bet over the Christmas period, but only because I managed to land a bigger roll up on him with a freebie! Cashed a few multiples though

No mention of Ballyburn in the quote, yet mentioned Champ Kiely as a potential for the race. Obviously Bromley wouldn't know all plans, but you'd think he'd have mentioned Ballyburn over Champ Kiely, unless Ballyburn is going down the 2m route still!

Last I heard was 2m1f for Ballyburn at the DRF in the immediate aftermath of the Wayward Lad. Willie does like to be sure a plan doesn’t work, so that would make sense.

I’ve been taking anything 25+ on BFX as I don’t think a WTAF will be better. And I simply can’t see him winning the Flogas and then not going to the festival.

One thing, Bromley said he wouldn’t have enough runs for the novice handicap chase at the festival. My understanding was that only 3 runs were required, and IEP would have 3 runs post Flogas. Does anyone know? If so, maybe that is an option?