2025 Novice Chasers

[PlateHunter]

The Festivals new '2m 4f Grade 2 Limited Novice Handicap Chase' isn't ratings restricted like the NH Chase is it? I have no understanding what a 'Limited' Handicap chase is.

Still thinking about Springwell Bay from yesterday and as impressive as he was, surely winning so easily wasn't the plan as he will be going off a big weight if he goes to a handicap in March.

[Quevega]

Hopefully jj talks them into running in the banc !

Yeah, I've no idea how good a talker/salesman JJ is but Daryl was fucking shite.

[ComplyOrDie]

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.

Kinda hoping he does to be honest, for all that he's a better winner for me in the BANC.

I'd give Ballyburn another crack at 2m on a stiffer track, Kempton was never going to suit, looking at his previous runs. Probably one of the, if not the flattest track in the UK!

He's big on the exchanges for the Arkle currently!

[riccirich]

Willies opposition to running at Cheltenham seems totally out of frustration with the turners being scrapped, rather than having any real logic to it, so it's never going to be off the table imo no matter what he says.

The horse has never been tried at 3m, finishes his races strongly over 2 and a half, and looks an uncomplicated ride, so there's no actual reason to be afraid of 3m, other than being stubborn. But if the horse beats his other staying chasers and shows himself to be theyre best chance of winning the race, then i think frustration could very quickly be put to one side.

[Quevega]

Kinda hoping he does to be honest, for all that he's a better winner for me in the BANC.

I'd give Ballyburn another crack at 2m on a stiffer track, Kempton was never going to suit, looking at his previous runs. Probably one of the, if not the flattest track in the UK!

He's big on the exchanges for the Arkle currently!

I know, I've had a nibble

[darlojim]

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.

Looks like we've both been nibbling away then haha...

I took pennies at 38s and 44s today

[Exar Essay]

Yeah, I've no idea how good a talker/salesman JJ is but Daryl was fucking shite.

He’ll talk them into it and Paul will ride

[Quevega]

Willies opposition to running at Cheltenham seems totally out of frustration with the turners being scrapped, rather than having any real logic to it, so it's never going to be off the table imo no matter what he says.

The horse has never been tried at 3m, finishes his races strongly over 2 and a half, and looks an uncomplicated ride, so there's no actual reason to be afraid of 3m, other than being stubborn. But if the horse beats his other staying chasers and shows himself to be theyre best chance of winning the race, then i think frustration could very quickly be put to one side.

100%.
The horse has looked the most tractable of all novice chasers this season, he switches off and on at the will of the jockey, he has shown he can sit and pop them and then quicken and really jump.
Of all the horses I've seen he's the one that could go to either race and be competitive, but possibly playing for places more than outright. Probably why they want to go 2 and a half with him.

[ComplyOrDie]

I know, I've had a nibble

Sharks everywhere

[Carnage at Taunton]

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.

Rather strange stance to take if that’s true.
Ballyburn had two chases now and neither screamed two miler.
Trainer lost the plot if he thinks he’s anywhere near an Arkle imo.

[Saxon Warrior]

The Festivals new '2m 4f Grade 2 Limited Novice Handicap Chase' isn't ratings restricted like the NH Chase is it? I have no understanding what a 'Limited' Handicap chase is.

Still thinking about Springwell Bay from yesterday and as impressive as he was, surely winning so easily wasn't the plan as he will be going off a big weight if he goes to a handicap in March.

Limited to a 20lb weight range.

Equals not Limited at all, in reality.

So if a 160 horse runs then the bottom weight will be 140 or higher, depending on how many decs there are.

In reality there could be a weight range of 10lb to 15lbs.

Open top on the top weight, so anything quality could run, if connections wanted, it's a Grade 2 race, with decent prize money, so they are seeking quality Graded horses to run in it.

I'd think there'd be plenty of Graded Novices in the initial entries.

Whether they stay in and declare, or go to Grade 1s at Fairyhouse and Aintree is the unknown.

Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have both said there's no race for Impaire Et Passe or Jango Baie (respectively) at the Festival, but that could be a bit of an initial sulk at the midtrip Grade 1 being changed to a Grade 2 Hcap.

They could run in the Grade 2 Hcap or the BANC.

Doubt anything is cast in stone yet.

They'll both have another run anyway, in the meantime, and Festival entries start next week.

So we will see soon enough if Impaire and Jango are entered in the BANC (I'd guess they will be, and the initial sulk will be over)
early entries 21st January for BANC

Turners Nov.HcapCH is with Hcaps, Early Entries Feb 18th, Weights Feb 25th (should be same for X-C Hcap and NHC Hcap this year too).

But we will be none the wiser as to if Impaire or Jango run at Cheltenham or not, for a while yet.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Limited to a 20lb weight range.

Equals not Limited at all, in reality.

So if a 160 horse runs then the bottom weight will be 140 or higher, depending on how many decs there are.

In reality there could be a weight range of 10lb to 15lbs.

Open top on the top weight, so anything quality could run, if connections wanted, it's a Grade 2 race, with decent prize money, so they are seeking quality Graded horses to run in it.

I'd think there'd be plenty of Graded Novices in the initial entries.

Whether they stay in and declare, or go to Grade 1s at Fairyhouse and Aintree is the unknown.

Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have both said there's no race for Impaire Et Passe or Jango Baie (respectively) at the Festival, but that could be a bit of an initial sulk at the midtrip Grade 1 being changed to a Grade 2 Hcap.

They could run in the Grade 2 Hcap or the BANC.

Doubt anything is cast in stone yet.

They'll both have another run anyway, in the meantime, and Festival entries start next week.

So we will see soon enough if Impaire and Jango are entered in the BANC (I'd guess they will be, and the initial sulk will be over)
early entries 21st January for BANC

Turners Nov.HcapCH is with Hcaps, Early Entries Feb 18th, Weights Feb 25th (should be same for X-C Hcap and NHC Hcap this year too).

But we will be none the wiser as to if Impaire or Jango run at Cheltenham or not, for a while yet.

This is very useful for me.
Been looking for this info so very much appreciated Saxon.
Cheers.

[Saxon Warrior]

This is very useful for me.
Been looking for this info so very much appreciated Saxon.
Cheers.

Posted this a week before Christmas.

Sent a copy today.

Should be live on the BHA Publications website this afternoon or tomorrow

jump pattern 2024-2025 (1).pdf

TO CLOSE BY NOON ON FEBRUARY 18th
CHELTENHAM
Thursday, March 13th

THE TURNERS NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1)
(Grade 2) (Registered as The GOLDEN MILLER) (GBB RACE)
TOTAL PRIZE FUND £125,000

Distributed in accordance with the Stakes and Prize Money Code
£64,300 to the winning horse
The second to receive £29,562,
the third £14,787,
the fourth £7,387,
the fifth £3,700,
the sixth £1,837,
the seventh £925
and the eighth £462

for novice five yrs old and upwards

TWO MILES ABOUT FOUR FURLONGS (2m 3f 168yds)

Enter by noon, February 18th and pay £185 stake
Confirm by noon, March 7th and pay £440
Declare by 10.00 a.m. March 11th
Weights published on February 26th
Lowest weight.........10st 6lb;
Highest weight.......11st 12lb
Penalties, after February 23rd, 2025, a winner of a steeple chase 5lb
(No penalty to increase Horse’s weight above 11st 12lb)

[Carnage at Taunton]

Posted this a week before Christmas.

Sent a copy today.

Should be live on the BHA Publications website this afternoon or tomorrow

jump pattern 2024-2025 (1).pdf

TO CLOSE BY NOON ON FEBRUARY 18th
CHELTENHAM
Thursday, March 13th

THE TURNERS NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1)
(Grade 2) (Registered as The GOLDEN MILLER) (GBB RACE)
TOTAL PRIZE FUND £125,000

Distributed in accordance with the Stakes and Prize Money Code
£64,300 to the winning horse
The second to receive £29,562,
the third £14,787,
the fourth £7,387,
the fifth £3,700,
the sixth £1,837,
the seventh £925
and the eighth £462

for novice five yrs old and upwards

TWO MILES ABOUT FOUR FURLONGS (2m 3f 168yds)

Enter by noon, February 18th and pay £185 stake
Confirm by noon, March 7th and pay £440
Declare by 10.00 a.m. March 11th
Weights published on February 26th
Lowest weight.........10st 6lb;
Highest weight.......11st 12lb
Penalties, after February 23rd, 2025, a winner of a steeple chase 5lb
(No penalty to increase Horse’s weight above 11st 12lb)

Excellent
Thank you Saxon

[PlateHunter]

Limited to a 20lb weight range.

Equals not Limited at all, in reality.

So if a 160 horse runs then the bottom weight will be 140 or higher, depending on how many decs there are.

In reality there could be a weight range of 10lb to 15lbs.

Open top on the top weight, so anything quality could run, if connections wanted, it's a Grade 2 race, with decent prize money, so they are seeking quality Graded horses to run in it.

I'd think there'd be plenty of Graded Novices in the initial entries.

Whether they stay in and declare, or go to Grade 1s at Fairyhouse and Aintree is the unknown.

Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have both said there's no race for Impaire Et Passe or Jango Baie (respectively) at the Festival, but that could be a bit of an initial sulk at the midtrip Grade 1 being changed to a Grade 2 Hcap.

They could run in the Grade 2 Hcap or the BANC.

Doubt anything is cast in stone yet.

They'll both have another run anyway, in the meantime, and Festival entries start next week.

So we will see soon enough if Impaire and Jango are entered in the BANC (I'd guess they will be, and the initial sulk will be over)
early entries 21st January for BANC

Turners Nov.HcapCH is with Hcaps, Early Entries Feb 18th, Weights Feb 25th (should be same for X-C Hcap and NHC Hcap this year too).

But we will be none the wiser as to if Impaire or Jango run at Cheltenham or not, for a while yet.

Incredible. Really appreciate you sharing this.