2025 Novice Chasers

[Lobos]

Just rub the inside of a banana skin on it for a few days and spin round 3 times. It'll drop off. Worked for me. My mother in law remedy. Bless her soul.

[Lobos]

Regarding Slade Steel, stable representative Robbie Power said: “I thought he ran very well. I was delighted with his jumping, he jumped super.
“All his form last season is on very soft ground, we’ll just have to wait. There were no excuses today and maybe on softer ground he’s a better horse.”

[Lobos]

Money for Ballyburn for the Faugheen Chase . Decision made ?

[Carnage at Taunton]

Will do if Willie says Ballyburn can't beat Maj. Paul doesn't like riding losers. Not all about jockey bookings. Horse ability will have some say

Horse ability indeed.
I seem to recall you saying Maj would not go anywhere near the Arkle!!
Just goes to show we should not be too dogmatic early doors, esp with young horses.
A trap we can all fall into.

[Lobos]

Horse ability indeed.
I seem to recall you saying Maj would not go anywhere near the Arkle!!
Just goes to show we should not be too dogmatic early doors, esp with young horses.
A trap we can all fall into.

Always go with what I think with regards AP betting. We are all wrong about horses mountains of times. Simply can't back them all for every race. Yes, you can wait until they've run but then the price is gone. If you want the best AP prices you have to go in early, stick to your guns and not be swayed. I'll get a few right. Swings and roundabouts.

P.S....he might still not end up in the Arkle....that's AP racing

[Carnage at Taunton]

Always go with what I think with regards AP betting. We are all wrong about horses mountains of times. Simply can't back them all for every race. Yes, you can wait until they've run but then the price is gone. If you want the best AP prices you have to go in early, stick to your guns and not be swayed. I'll get a few right. Swings and roundabouts.

P.S....he might still not end up in the Arkle....that's AP racing

Of course we all get some right and some wrong with AP betting. And trying to get nice prices and sticking your neck out early can reap rewards, and is part of the enjoyment.
Just think it best to keep an open mind with certain horses, especially the novices.

[Lobos]

Of course we all get some right and some wrong with AP betting. And trying to get nice prices and sticking your neck out early can reap rewards, and is part of the enjoyment.
Just think it best to keep an open mind with certain horses, especially the novices.

Yeah, some right and LOADS wrong more like. But, for every 10 Majborough's there's a Lossiemouth that comes along at 36/1. You have to kiss a lot of frogs in this game

[Brooker17]

Do the majority now feel that Marjborogh goes the Arkle and Ballyburn goes BANC?
Or will Willie send both to the arkle?
My current inclination is now Marjborough for the Arkle and Ballyburn BANC just purely on what I have seen jumping wise that Ballyburn could do with the extra journey to counter his less than perfect jumping.

[Craigy14]

Do the majority now feel that Marjborogh goes the Arkle and Ballyburn goes BANC?
Or will Willie send both to the arkle?
My current inclination is now Marjborough for the Arkle and Ballyburn BANC just purely on what I have seen jumping wise that Ballyburn could do with the extra journey to counter his less than perfect jumping.

Nothing has changed re Ballyburn imo.

Different owners and jockey bookings are fine. Ballyburn would only go elsewhere if he’s beat over 2m imo.

Whether they meet each other at the DRF, who knows. The fact there’s only 2 Grade 1 chases I wonder if WPM will avoid each other until March as if ones beat the other and unlikely to reverse form they could be in a bit of no man’s land. He has 3/4 top staying chasers it looks like so not much need to add another imo.

[ComplyOrDie]

Nothing has changed re Ballyburn imo.

Different owners and jockey bookings are fine. Ballyburn would only go elsewhere if he’s beat over 2m imo.

Whether they meet each other at the DRF, who knows. The fact there’s only 2 Grade 1 chases I wonder if WPM will avoid each other until March as if ones beat the other and unlikely to reverse form they could be in a bit of no man’s land. He has 3/4 top staying chasers it looks like so not much need to add another imo.

This is how I see it too.

[Quevega]

Yeah
Signs are that this years Irish arkle might not be as full of willies as usual

[Runragged]

Do the majority now feel that Marjborogh goes the Arkle and Ballyburn goes BANC?
Or will Willie send both to the arkle?
My current inclination is now Marjborough for the Arkle and Ballyburn BANC just purely on what I have seen jumping wise that Ballyburn could do with the extra journey to counter his less than perfect jumping.

Currently they are both being aimed at the Arkle in my mind. Ballyburn may be better suited to a longer trip but he also has a class edge over the majority that would turn up in the Arkle and historically class has often told in the race. With different owners then all being well I wouldn't be surprised to see both turn up. Doesn't effect jockeys too much as Paul on Ballyburn, Walsh on Majborough and Rachael on Inthepocket.

[ComplyOrDie]

The only one I'm waiting on seeing now is It's For Me, who I imagine will be Daryl Jacobs ride in the race.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Do the majority now feel that Marjborogh goes the Arkle and Ballyburn goes BANC?
Or will Willie send both to the arkle?
My current inclination is now Marjborough for the Arkle and Ballyburn BANC just purely on what I have seen jumping wise that Ballyburn could do with the extra journey to counter his less than perfect jumping.

I would say Maj has cemented his place in the Arkle.
I think Ballyburn is still to convince either way.
His next run imo may well sort out his destination.

[Istabraq]

Do the majority now feel that Marjborogh goes the Arkle and Ballyburn goes BANC?
Or will Willie send both to the arkle?
My current inclination is now Marjborough for the Arkle and Ballyburn BANC just purely on what I have seen jumping wise that Ballyburn could do with the extra journey to counter his less than perfect jumping.

I don't believe they ever thought Majborough would be a serious Arkle dart because they had that race on the radar for Ballyburn and any 5yo season is likely to be an educating one, but like all things Mullins nothing is decided in Summer/Autumn, what the horses do on a racecourse will determine their target.
Some may not have been massively impressed with Dancing City's chase debut but it looked respectable enough to me for a horse probably no more than 80% fit, and Dancing City is not his only staying horse.
Right now I'd say Ballyburn Arkle is still likely and if that plays out Majborough either stays at home or could be one for the new handicap race assuming he doesn't go and put up a 160 performance between now and March.

I will raise a controversial flag given so many in here were gushing at Majboroughs chase debut, he was getting weight from Tullyhill and that one disappointed massively at Cheltenham and Punchestown last season, also right on his tail was Asian Master, another failed festival performer who may never be better than a handicapper, it was a solid performance but I wouldn't be getting carried away and certainly not joining the queue to get the 4/1 on offer...