2025 Novice Chasers

[UpInTrip]

Going to throw a question out there and wanted to get some opinions.... do people think Nicky will run Sir Gino in that beginners chase next Monday and go down the Arkle route or will he be champion hurdle bound. He's one I still need to get onside just not sure which race.

[Lobos]

Going to throw a question out there and wanted to get some opinions.... do people think Nicky will run Sir Gino in that beginners chase next Monday and go down the Arkle route or will he be champion hurdle bound. He's one I still need to get onside just not sure which race.

He's already said he's going chasing but that could potentially change if things don't go well for CH in his final pieces of work before the FF or indeed in the FF itself.

[Comedy of errors]

Sorry probably a naive question but If state man wins the moriganna easily enough why would the donnelly’s switch SG regardless of how CH runs, as they could potentially have two favourites for grade 1 at Cheltenham instead of 2 in the same race unless SG can’t jump but Nicky said he has done really well,

[opatcho]

I hope they don’t mess Sir Gino up by switching and changing, all because of Con Hill

If he’s able to jump a fence, go chasing

if not, go hurdling

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 5 year old horse look as big and complete as Sir Gino, looks a weapon and I’m excited to see how he turns out

but he shouldn’t play second best to con hill, let him run his own campaign

[UpInTrip]

I hope they don’t mess Sir Gino up by switching and changing, all because of Con Hill

If he’s able to jump a fence, go chasing

if not, go hurdling

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 5 year old horse look as big and complete as Sir Gino, looks a weapon and I’m excited to see how he turns out

but he shouldn’t play second best to con hill, let him run his own campaign

Completely agree with all of this. I just don’t believe he’s definitely chasing until he gets declared for Monday.

[Ballybeen]

Gidleigh park a non runner today

[Odin]

I thought there could be a couple Odin. Gold Dancer and Ocastle Des Mottes were both bought to be chasers. Though being stable mates, you'd wonder what their instructions are. And I think An Epic Song will make a good chaser too. He'd have to underperform to lose the race, but I'm not sure he could make too many blunders.

Yeah agree all three would be good chasers but can't see how they are there to run to complete merits tomorrow for different reasons: instructions for Gold and Ocastle; Brassill being Brassill with An Epic Song.

I was more hoping a horse of Tullyhill's ilk could run in the race and put pressure on Bally - problem is there aren't too many of them around who aren't Mullins trained either. Bally could still run below par/make blunders causing the others to get close/beat him but it's an easier race than against Firefox for example.

We'll see what happens anyway - hopefully for everyone on him for the chases, he can jump a fence just fine on the racecourse; hopefully for other less competitive races in the hurdle division he can't!

[Carnage at Taunton]

I hope they don’t mess Sir Gino up by switching and changing, all because of Con Hill

If he’s able to jump a fence, go chasing

if not, go hurdling

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 5 year old horse look as big and complete as Sir Gino, looks a weapon and I’m excited to see how he turns out

but he shouldn’t play second best to con hill, let him run his own campaign

Trainer just loves the Champion Hurdle
He will know how good State Man is in relation to Con Hill, and will know how SG is in relation to Con Hill.
I would say if Con Hill can’t get back to being good enough then SG going to the CHurdle would be significant.
Like he said before with the Con Hill dilemma…..would rather win a CHurdle than an Arkle.
This weekend could go a long way to decide things imo

[opatcho]

My issue with Sir Gino’s path should not be dedicated by con hill

Just worried they’re going to mess up Sir Gino. Decide whether Gino is ready for fences and stick with it

[Lobos]

Worth remembering that SG isn't even 5 until a month after the festival. Hes a proper young un. Same re Majborough. Perhaps it is too soon to send them chasing.

[Carnage at Taunton]

My issue with Sir Gino’s path should not be dedicated by con hill

Just worried they’re going to mess up Sir Gino. Decide whether Gino is ready for fences and stick with it

Yep I get what you are saying, and understand your sentiments.
Im just trying to work out likely outcomes.
At least SG is still only 4 so plenty of time to go chasing if it doesn’t happen this season.
If it doesn’t happen it will probably mean he’s winning Championship races over Hurdles.
Sure his owners would not mind that.

[Craigy14]

I would say he just as much likes champion chase winners which of course Arkle winners lead to.

100% agree with opatcho, they are letting Constitution Hill dictate Sir Ginos season, which imo, isn’t right.

Lucky the owner leaves him more or less to his own devices as I wouldn’t be happy being sub to another horse in the yard.

[Lobos]

Them having the current Champion Hurdler also doesn't help. Maybe they don't believe that SG will be at a level to compete with State Man in March so chasing was the only option. Perhaps they should do a Lossiemouth with him this season and go softly, softly.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I would say he just as much likes champion chase winners which of course Arkle winners lead to.

100% agree with opatcho, they are letting Constitution Hill dictate Sir Ginos season, which imo, isn’t right.

Lucky the owner leaves him more or less to his own devices as I wouldn’t be happy being sub to another horse in the yard.

Yes he does like QM winners, absolutely.
Im just playing devils advocate.
Opatcho has a valid point, no argument from me.

[Odin]

My issue with Sir Gino’s path should not be dedicated by con hill

Just worried they’re going to mess up Sir Gino. Decide whether Gino is ready for fences and stick with it

Is it not a win-win in this situation give Sir Gino is only 4 going on 5? If he's is ready for fences, arguably he's ready for a go at the Champion Hurdle so right now it doesn't matter? They'd school him over fences anyway so it's no big deal to stay there or switch back to hurdles.

If he was 5 going on 6 I'd think differently, but they can definitely afford to have a go at the Champion Hurdle if they want to and should have an answer soon enough I guess. The ground hasn't been right for him so far anyway. It strikes me as just a unique set of circumstances that it makes complete sense to see if your 180s Champion Hurdle does or doesn't exist? If he doesn't, why not have a pop at the Champion Hurdle?

It's very different story if this drags on to Xmas though...