2025 Novice Chasers

[Carnage at Taunton]

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.

I think BDA and DC are two that will stay strongly.
Definitely glad I have both onside.
Jukebox stayed well enough over 3m.
Croke I think may struggle to get home.
The fav is yet to show us how strong he stays 3m.

Its a very interesting renewal this year and could make a case for a fair few.

[Can't Catch Me]

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.

Add them to the list ahead of TJM too then

[Can't Catch Me]

I think BDA and DC are two that will stay strongly.
Definitely glad I have both onside.
Jukebox stayed well enough over 3m.
Croke I think may struggle to get home.
The fav is yet to show us how strong he stays 3m.

Its a very interesting renewal this year and could make a case for a fair few.

Its a great race. Could be one of the best of the week! That's the only thing holding me back investing even more on Ballyburn.

[Craigy14]

It’s a great race. Could be one of the best of the week! That's the only thing holding me back investing even more on Ballyburn.

I’m assuming you think he’ll tuck them away at the DRF CCM? I’m looking forward to it but it’ll be a watching brief only.

[Can't Catch Me]

I’m assuming you think he’ll tuck them away at the DRF CCM? I’m looking forward to it but it’ll be a watching brief only.

I certainly do mate! I think he's a bit of a freak myself. Can't believe they thought he was a 2 miler tbh.

[Craigy14]

I certainly do mate! I think he's a bit of a freak myself. Can't believe they thought he was a 2 miler tbh.

I think they took the DRF form literally, where it has turned out, the supreme was pretty poor.

I don’t blame them for trying, not a usual route to the BANC but can’t see it doing any harm should he win the 2m5f Grade 1.

[ComplyOrDie]

I certainly do mate! I think he's a bit of a freak myself. Can't believe they thought he was a 2 miler tbh.

Do you think they'll hold Impaire Et Passe (IEP) back for Aintree/Fairyhouse?

They tried IEP as a 2 miler last season too, but that didn't work out.

For all that Ballyburn looked like a weapon going up that hill in the Gallaghers, let's not forget IEP done it in similar fashion, probably going away from a better animal in 2nd, in the process, too.

IEP has also looked like one who can be taken back this season (several times the jock done this at Limerick, LTO), as to reserve energy, whereas Ballyburn still looks to have a tendency to over race, fine over shorter, but not 3m at Cheltenham. I'd also argue that IEP's jumping has been better too.

I'm really interested to see how the DRF plays out, I hope they take each other on.

[Can't Catch Me]

Do you think they'll hold Impaire Et Passe (IEP) back for Aintree/Fairyhouse?

They tried IEP as a 2 miler last season too, but that didn't work out.

For all that Ballyburn looked like a weapon going up that hill in the Gallaghers, let's not forget IEP done it in similar fashion, probably going away from a better animal in 2nd, in the process, too.

IEP has also looked like one who can be taken back this season (several times the jock done this at Limerick, LTO), as to reserve energy, whereas Ballyburn still looks to have a tendency to over race, fine over shorter, but not 3m at Cheltenham. I'd also argue that IEP's jumping has been better too.

I'm really interested to see how the DRF plays out, I hope they take each other on.

IEP is definitely the fly in the ointment. Think he would have been a shoo in for the old 2m4f race. But personally I think he will be fine over 3m so can't see why connections would skip the Festival altogether. Why would you with a previous winner? Only reason would be if Willie tells them they cant beat Ballyburn, but I don't see that happening.

I think he will line up in this and he's the only one in the race that worries me. Have already had a saver but think 12/1 still a great price.

[Killiney]

I see Hyland is now qualified for The Ultima and priced at 20/1. He has surprised me this year as his hurdle form did not really prepare you for the improvement shown over fences. All a roundabout way of supporting the view that Jukebox should not be knocked for beating Hyland.

[Benjy23]

IEP is definitely the fly in the ointment. Think he would have been a shoo in for the old 2m4f race. But personally I think he will be fine over 3m so can't see why connections would skip the Festival altogether. Why would you with a previous winner? Only reason would be if Willie tells them they cant beat Ballyburn, but I don't see that happening.

I think he will line up in this and he's the only one in the race that worries me. Have already had a saver but think 12/1 still a great price.

Surely Ballyburn was the one for the old two and a half miler?

[Benjy23]

I see Hyland is now qualified for The Ultima and priced at 20/1. He has surprised me this year as his hurdle form did not really prepare you for the improvement shown over fences. All a roundabout way of supporting the view that Jukebox should not be knocked for beating Hyland.

He's too high for the other handicaps isn't he... Other than the Turners which I couldn't have him for. Might stick the Ultima double on with Jukebox

[Can't Catch Me]

Surely Ballyburn was the one for the old two and a half miler?

Yeah could have been. But think they'd have worked out this season that he was the more likely of him and IEP to get 3m myself. Can't wait to see Ballyburn unleashed over a trip.

[Birds Nest]

I see Hyland is now qualified for The Ultima and priced at 20/1. He has surprised me this year as his hurdle form did not really prepare you for the improvement shown over fences. All a roundabout way of supporting the view that Jukebox should not be knocked for beating Hyland.

I'd be worried it came up too soft for him, nickys said they'll make hay whilst the grounds decent, thats my worry.

[DenmanSacre]

Anyone heard more about targets of at all at Chelt for Jingko Blue & Jango Baie?

Jingko is entered for the 3m grade 2 novices chase at Windsor on Sunday. Declarations tomorrow and Nico already showing as on board. Probably needs to be winning to go to the BANC. Would need another 2 runs for the open handicaps or 1 more after this for the 2m4 novices or NHC.

[Runragged]

Jingko is entered for the 3m grade 2 novices chase at Windsor on Sunday. Declarations tomorrow and Nico already showing as on board. Probably needs to be winning to go to the BANC. Would need another 2 runs for the open handicaps or 1 more after this for the 2m4 novices or NHC.

With a 150 RPR first up and a 149 handicap mark then surely handicaps are not in the equation? Was impressive on chase debut and form been franked with the runner up winning a handicap off 1lb lower since. Hopefully they are thinking BANC though personally I would want to see him get a couple or runs under his belt before Cheltenham.

If you are wondering about handicappers then Resplendent Grey has to be considered. A bit like Transmission, he looks ideally suited to the Kim Muir but may well stick to novice company and the NH Chase. Form reads very well linking Handstands, Hyland and Springwell Bay to suggest he is well handicapped off 143.