2025 Novice Chasers

[ComplyOrDie]

Correctamundo

The other issue I have with Jukebox Man, and it's only a slight niggle as I like him a lot.
He didn't really run away from Hyland after the last.
I've watched a couple of times and each time I want him to put distance and he doesn't.
Hyland looks big improver this season though and so that might not be a bad thing.
Or is that his level ?

I watched a replay of the finish yesterday and thought the same.

In my head I had him beating him a fair bit further.

As you note, Hyland is a big improver this season, so it may be nothing.

[Quevega]

I watched a replay of the finish yesterday and thought the same.

In my head I had him beating him a fair bit further.

As you note, Hyland is a big improver this season, so it may be nothing.

Obviously the other issue is the general level of horses hes beat this year, compared to the depth over in Ireland.

[Can't Catch Me]

Many thanks, when's the award presentation? I'll bring the full family.

The reality is, it's still a championship race at Cheltenham and you have to jump well, which IMO he doesn't do well enough.

The Jukebox Man jumps like a Gazelle in comparison to Ballyburn, if he was trained by Willie Mullins he'd be a 6/4 shot at this stage.

Plus Gordons Croke Park, despite being a far lesser animal over hurdles has taken much better to fences than Ballyburn.

Ballyburn the lay of the week for me atm.

I'll be there on the Wednesday this year, happy to bet a pint on it if you're there.

Haha get them all there. Will be a proud moment for the whole Sensible clan

All joking apart, this is the joy of the game for me. As we stand, he's my nap of the week. and he's your lay of the week!

His Festival win last year was up there with the best I've ever seen. He just powered up that hill and from thinking it was a poor race at the time, there is at least some depth to the form now. I think he looks a nice safe jumper. And to do what he's been doing over trips short of his best mark him out as a future GC horse to me. Good luck!

[Can't Catch Me]

I'd also add I will be place laying The Jukebox Man myself. Can't have him anywhere near the best of the Irish and pretty sure he won't exactly be powering up the hill.

[JamieSensible]

The problem with jumping like a gazelle over staying distances is that it takes a lot out of the horse. I'd much rather an economical jumper over 3m.

He was second in the Bartlett so we know he stays, the way I see it, he'll take lengths out of them at the fences I don't think they'll catch him.

You know how disrespectful the Irish jockeys can be when it comes to English runners (see Jade De Grugy and Brighterdaysahead) in last years Mares Novice or Gerri Colombe in the BANC the previous year. If they let him go, he's gone.

I would say Hyland is an improving horse (whos had 5 starts over fences) and that the Jukebox man put him away well enough on his second start in a grade 1.

I've not really got a proper position on the Jukebox Man but I've now convinced myself to take one.

[Carnage at Taunton]

In that connections of IA only mentioned him possibly going up against IEP at the DRF. No mention of having to race against Ballyburn as well.

Ok, understand
Cheers

[Benjy23]

I'd also add I will be place laying The Jukebox Man myself. Can't have him anywhere near the best of the Irish and pretty sure he won't exactly be powering up the hill.

Not concerned that he was very much 'near the best of the Irish' over hurdles. And arguably looks the most natural over a fence...

[Craigy14]

I was critical of his jumping on debut, but that was with an eye on him being an Arkle horse. I wouldn't really have any concerns over a longer trip, where he's not running full tilt.

He's the one they all have to beat imo.

That’s exactly where we are though mate, judging him on 2m pace, which I understand is all we have to go on.

But the actual jumping in general was fine. Jukebox man may be more exuberant etc but for every flashy winner of the BANC I’d say there are twice as many less flashy winners. I know you didn’t mention that but just thought I’d mention it in general

[JackieMoon33]

He was second in the Bartlett so we know he stays, the way I see it, he'll take lengths out of them at the fences I don't think they'll catch him.

You know how disrespectful the Irish jockeys can be when it comes to English runners (see Jade De Grugy and Brighterdaysahead) in last years Mares Novice or Gerri Colombe in the BANC the previous year. If they let him go, he's gone.

I would say Hyland is an improving horse (whos had 5 starts over fences) and that the Jukebox man put him away well enough on his second start in a grade 1.

I've not really got a proper position on the Jukebox Man but I've now convinced myself to take one.

12 hurdles versus 20 fences is a big difference in terms of exertion.

I'm not crabbing the horse as such, but his exuberant jumping could be his undoing at the business end of the race.

[Can't Catch Me]

Not concerned that he was very much 'near the best of the Irish' over hurdles. And arguably looks the most natural over a fence...

Well I suppose the question is who do you define as the 'best of the Irish' in the context of this race?

I dont think Stellar Story is one. I might be wrong, but I'm of the view Dancing City under performed in the Bartlett and we saw him at his best at Aintree where he beat The Jukebox Man quite easily and Punchestown. I think he's a better horse. I also think IEP and Champ Kiely are better horses.

Ballyburn
Impaire et Passe
Champ Kiely
Dancing City

To my eyes these are the 'best of the Irish' for this race and The Jukebox Man is comparable with the fourth best!

[Carnage at Taunton]

Game of opinions.
Not sure I would use jumping well as a reason not to back a horse!! Jukebox could well gain some lengths during the race which imo he’s likely to over Ballyburn eg.
Whether he’s good enough at the end is another matter and having an opinion he’s not is fair enough.
I think his performance at Kempton was as good as I’ve seen this season for a 3m nov chaser.
I think he’s a major player and will be part of a good BANC this year.

[Benjy23]

Well I suppose the question is who do you define as the 'best of the Irish' in the context of this race?

I dont think Stellar Story is one. I might be wrong, but I'm of the view Dancing City under performed in the Bartlett and we saw him at his best at Aintree where he beat The Jukebox Man quite easily and Punchestown. I think he's a better horse. I also think IEP and Champ Kiely are better horses.

Ballyburn
Impaire et Passe
Champ Kiely
Dancing City

To my eyes these are the 'best of the Irish' for this race and The Jukebox Man is comparable with the fourth best!

Fair play. Your 4th best (so worst) I'd potentially have as my best of those for the BANC at this stage to be honest. Which very much changes the context of the discussion ...

[ComplyOrDie]

I'd also add I will be place laying The Jukebox Man myself. Can't have him anywhere near the best of the Irish and pretty sure he won't exactly be powering up the hill.

Cor dear, I made this mistake with The Real Whacker.....that ended well

[ComplyOrDie]

I dont think Stellar Story is one. I might be wrong, but I'm of the view Dancing City under performed in the Bartlett and we saw him at his best at Aintree where he beat The Jukebox Man quite easily and Punchestown. I think he's a better horse. I also think IEP and Champ Kiely are better horses.

Ballyburn
Impaire et Passe
Champ Kiely
Dancing City

To my eyes these are the 'best of the Irish' for this race and The Jukebox Man is comparable with the fourth best!

Serious disrespect for Croke Park/Better Days Ahead

I appreciate Dancing City beat Better Days Ahead over hurdles, but I think that form could be reversed over fences. Looking forward to them clashing, at some point.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Fair play. Your 4th best (so worst) I'd potentially have as my best of those for the BANC at this stage to be honest. Which very much changes the context of the discussion ...

Well Jukebox is currently 2nd fav so definitely comparable with The field,