2025 Novice Chasers

[JackieMoon33]

Might be nothing but i have just watched the Paddy Power preview. With Ruby seemingly letting the cat out of the bag regarding Ballyburn and then Patrick mentioning something along the lines of some surprising horses may skip Cheltenham in favour of the 2m 4f at Fairyhouse, did anyone get the impression he was talking about Impaire Et Passe? Like i say, it might be nothing and am probably reading too much into it but thats what came across to me.

If Ballyburn sticks to the 2m route then it’s possible IEP goes for an intermediate trip somewhere else. I can’t have IEP for the BANC myself so unless he proves better than Ballyburn over 2m then he could be diverted.

[darlojim]

Might be nothing but i have just watched the Paddy Power preview. With Ruby seemingly letting the cat out of the bag regarding Ballyburn and then Patrick mentioning something along the lines of some surprising horses may skip Cheltenham in favour of the 2m 4f at Fairyhouse, did anyone get the impression he was talking about Impaire Et Passe? Like i say, it might be nothing and am probably reading too much into it but thats what came across to me.

For me it was a worry that when they talked about the stayers hurdle, that was when he got his first mention from the 2 of em ..

[Yosser]

For me it was a worry that when they talked about the stayers hurdle, that was when he got his first mention from the 2 of em ..

He also said he assumed It's For Me would stay hurdling but Ruby and Patrick kept schtum. I don't see him staying hurdling, what would he go for? It's For Me that is. It's feasible that IEP could go stayers but even then i wouldn't have thought so unless they totally scrap his chasing career and stay at the Stayers division for the rest of his career.

[Lobos]

Arkle or nothing for IEP imo. Couldn't fancy him for a BANC at all and they'll surely not be wasting another season over hurdles??

[Exar Essay]

He also said he assumed It's For Me would stay hurdling but Ruby and Patrick kept schtum. I don't see him staying hurdling, what would he go for? It's For Me that is. It's feasible that IEP could go stayers but even then i wouldn't have thought so unless they totally scrap his chasing career and stay at the Stayers division for the rest of his career.

Tom’s a really convivial presenter, but my word it’s frustrating when he doesn’t ask questions. Frank made a great point re Its For Me and Tom moves straight on. Ruby and Patrick even looked surprised they didn’t have to field the question.

[Lobos]

JDR cut to 20's from 33's today for Arkle by PP/Betfair

[Eggs]

….HdB re Slade Steel;

‘Slade Steel is going novice chasing and will start off in a maiden chase in the next few weeks. We’re obviously very excited about him, given how much he did over hurdles last season, and we’ve always had fences in mind for him. He is versatile enough that we were able to keep our options open with him regards trip last season, and we’ll play it by ear with him as we go. He’s very exciting.‘

[DeeBee]

….HdB re Slade Steel;

‘Slade Steel is going novice chasing and will start off in a maiden chase in the next few weeks. We’re obviously very excited about him, given how much he did over hurdles last season, and we’ve always had fences in mind for him. He is versatile enough that we were able to keep our options open with him regards trip last season, and we’ll play it by ear with him as we go. He’s very exciting.‘

That just screams go where ballyburn doesn’t haha

[Odin]

That just screams go where ballyburn doesn’t haha

100% - I've had to cover off the back of it.

Lobos nipples must be feeling very cherry-like atm...

[Carnage at Taunton]

….HdB re Slade Steel;

‘Slade Steel is going novice chasing and will start off in a maiden chase in the next few weeks. We’re obviously very excited about him, given how much he did over hurdles last season, and we’ve always had fences in mind for him. He is versatile enough that we were able to keep our options open with him regards trip last season, and we’ll play it by ear with him as we go. He’s very exciting.‘

Looks to me like we will have both the top novice hurdle winners in the Arkle if all goes to plan.
That is exciting!!
Dont see either going 3m next March.

[Lobos]

100% - I've had to cover off the back of it.

Lobos nipples must be feeling very cherry-like atm...

Yes, he'll avoid Ballyburn again. Once that one is confirmed Arkle and Majborough confirmed staying Hurdling he'll be fav for the BANC.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yes, he'll avoid Ballyburn again. Once that one is confirmed Arkle and Majborough confirmed staying Hurdling he'll be fav for the BANC.

Well anything is possible, including taking on a horse that beat you over hurdles , in a chase the following season.

[BookieBasher]

Yes, he'll avoid Ballyburn again. Once that one is confirmed Arkle and Majborough confirmed staying Hurdling he'll be fav for the BANC.

I wouldn’t be 100% convinced that they’ll avoid Ballyburn in the Arkle. It was an easy decision to make novice hurdling to go either Supreme or Gallaghers depending on where Ballyburn went. And I think that decision would have been equally as easy this season had the Turners been an option. If HDB sees Slade Steel as an Arkle horse then pushing him up to 3m is quite a step just to avoid one horse. He could be a BANC horse and early entries or a Rob Cour YouTube video will most likely tell us very early. I’d have him down as of today as being an Arkle horse with every chance of winning

[Lobos]

Well anything is possible, including taking on a horse that beat you over hurdles , in a chase the following season.

Possible but you'd say unlikely as they avoided him at all cost last season. All depends on how Ballyburn looks I'd say. As HDB says, Slade Steel is very adaptable re trip so he can go anywhere.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I wouldn’t be 100% convinced that they’ll avoid Ballyburn in the Arkle. It was an easy decision to make novice hurdling to go either Supreme or Gallaghers depending on where Ballyburn went. And I think that decision would have been equally as easy this season had the Turners been an option. If HDB sees Slade Steel as an Arkle horse then pushing him up to 3m is quite a step just to avoid one horse. He could be a BANC horse and early entries or a Rob Cour YouTube video will most likely tell us very early. I’d have him down as of today as being an Arkle horse with every chance of winning

Absolutely
Nice to read a reasoned thought out post.