2025 Novice Chasers

[Kevloaf]

Harold's wife from Neighbours?

Remember when he disappeared off those cliffs

OMG

[jrjr]

IA....

We'll let Ile Atlantique go here and then we can decide if he goes to Fairyhouse or Aintree over two and a half miles. He has a lovely action but possibly softer ground suits him better over two miles. He's another I might need to keep a bit fresher at home.

Sounds like they'll bypass Festival?

I’ve read this quote on Twitter but not heard the audio to check it’s accurate. My first impression was that it must have been a mis-quote, or had part missed out. However, if it is correct then it certainly hints at no festival. Surprised more hasn’t been made of it.

Strange they’d go for the Irish Arkle but not the Cheltenham one.

If they are gonna target the 2.5 with IA then this could mean IEP is in their plans for Cheltenham as he would be the most obvious horse to skip the festival for that route. Of all the quotes I’ve read today the Ballyburn ones were perhaps the least positive.

[OffTheBridle]

Naaaaah
Sir Gino only has to jump around, he's going to end up better than Jonbon, and up there with his proper 2 mile chasers IMO

Agree with this.
Great prize money and route in UK for 2 mile chasers. Imagine in 2030 still talking about him for the champion chase.

Bit off topic but one suggestion I'd have to create a horse superstar and massive buzz, is that if a horse wins the champion chase, the following year the horse qualifies to receive a bonus if it wins the Gold Cup.
Sir Gino is an example of a horse that could do this, win the champion chase and then on to the gold cup.
Could also be done with a horse that wins the Champion hurdle, and then Gold Cup, wouldn't have to be 2 years in a row. Brighterdaysahead??

Entry fee should be waived for a champion hurdle or champion chase winner in a gold cup if the trainer enters them.

I know money isn't an issue for the big owners but might help sway them

Example:
Brighterdaysahead wins the champion hurdle in 2025, 2026 she is novice chaser, 2027 goes gold cup
Sir Gino wins the Arkle 2025, 2026 wins the champion chase, 2027 goes gold cup
Then potentially you'd have the gold cup winner from 2026 running in 2027, making 2027 a race of the champions and hype would be incredible

[Kevloaf]

Has never crossed my mind OffTheBridle but I would love that

I'd love it if they did MNH to CH as well in the same vein (much less impressive)



One of the best was the KG / GC bonus?

There isn't really a "triple crown"

I suppose you'd need to think about how many Dawn Run 'chances' there have been...and what would have swayed them to try

[OffTheBridle]

Ya very true.

We just want to see the best vs the best.

Mares hurdle winner should carry a penalty if it runs in the mares hurdle the following year.
Eg. Lossiemouth carries 5lb more this year in the mares hurdle than the rest of the field. Still gets her 7lbs if goes Champion hurdle.

So if they bring in:

MNH winner, bonus if wins following season CH
County Hurdle winner, bonus if wins following season CH
Mares hurdle winner gets 5lb penalty if runs in Mares Hurdle again

You could have 4 winners from previous festival running in the CH and potentially Supreme, Triumph and/or ballymore winners


Basically, most races at Cheltenham should be seen as stepping stones to the 3 big races for the following year, Champion Hurdle, Champion chase and Gold cup and they should be looking at getting the best horses in these races.
You don't have to give bonuses to all, as there are natural stepping stones. ie. supreme winner to CH for a hurdler

I'm not sure about County to CH bonus as it is a natural stepping stone for a horse that gets hiked to 158+ but would love to see Absurde in the race this year to add to it and if bonus potentially helps to get horses like Absurde in the CH then offer it.

Realistically how many bonuses will they have to pay out? Worst case scenario you have to pay out 3 bonuses in one year as bonuses only for the 3 main races and you need to have hit criteria already and you need to win the race then.

Benefits as well is that, you get different horses winning races at the Festival the following year in the other races. That's the dream with owners is to have a cheltenham winner, so swaying previous years winners to bigger dreams, helps the other owners to dream to get a winner as main dangers have gone up the ranks. Eg. In the mares hurdle, The MNH and Mares hurdle winner could be gone to CH.

[Killiney]

I’ve read this quote on Twitter but not heard the audio to check it’s accurate. My first impression was that it must have been a mis-quote, or had part missed out. However, if it is correct then it certainly hints at no festival. Surprised more hasn’t been made of it.

Strange they’d go for the Irish Arkle but not the Cheltenham one.

If they are gonna target the 2.5 with IA then this could mean IEP is in their plans for Cheltenham as he would be the most obvious horse to skip the festival for that route. Of all the quotes I’ve read today the Ballyburn ones were perhaps the least positive.

I have taken it literally and have cashed out Hope I read it right. !

[BuckingThe Trend]

"Ballyburn will probably take his chance. We found out the last day he couldn't jump with Sir Gino, who could be a superstar. It was disappointing to go over there and get beaten but at least we found out we're not going down the two-mile route. Looking at his pedigree and the stamp of a horse he is, he's got stayer written all over him. Hopefully his attitude will let him stay as he has to settle."

Willie writing off Ballyburn for the Arkle at Cheltenham. bet365 still got CashOut on a couple of multiples I had him in. Cashed Out for 5% loss. Personal choice but reckon anyone with the same should seriously consider.

[JamieSensible]

Chigorin is a horse on my radar for the national hunt Chase, what's the cut off point for a horse to qualify for entry?

I think they're currently over a trip too short, but he would still have to place over 3 miles before the festival to qualify wouldn't he?

[chunker86]

I have taken it literally and have cashed out Hope I read it right. !

The audio is on the Irish Racing Youtube Page - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzkCr4jiwck - around 11:45

I think it's a misquote.

He says we'll go to the Arkle and then on to Fairhouse or Aintree over 2 and a half - he doesn't specify Irish Arkle like was quoted.

[riccirich]

I have taken it literally and have cashed out Hope I read it right. !

Without hearing the audio and seeing facial expressions, and knowing what kind of question he was asked, it's dangerous to be taking that too literally.

For example he could have been asked "do you still see him as being best over further or are you thinking more of a two miler now". In which case his answer could just more or less mean he'll see how he gets on at the drf and if he doesnt go close then maybe skip the festival and back up in trip.

[Exar Essay]

The audio is on the Irish Racing Youtube Page - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzkCr4jiwck - around 11:45

I think it's a misquote.

He says we'll go to the Arkle and then on to Fairhouse or Aintree over 2 and a half - he doesn't specify Irish Arkle like was quoted.

Yes, this is my understanding too. If anything it confirms his participation at Cheltenham.

[ComplyOrDie]

I see Quai De Bourbon just won the 'Willie also rans' beginners chase at Gowran.

Not sure what to do with that lot. Quaid De Bourbon maybe booked his place on the boat, but for which race, is anyones guess!

[Kevloaf]

I see Quai De Bourbon just won the 'Willie also rans' beginners chase at Gowran.

Not sure what to do with that lot. Quaid De Bourbon maybe booked his place on the boat, but for which race, is anyones guess!

Not really anywhere but the BANC he could go is there?

[Killiney]

Yes, this is my understanding too. If anything it confirms his participation at Cheltenham.

You are probably right. I have now listened to the broadcast and on many occasions Willie brought the press back from their tendency to want to talk about Cheltenham instead of the DRF. Then when he is asked about Ile Atlanticque staying at 2m he himself mentions The Arkle. Then going on to Fairyhouse etc. I took it that he was talking about the Irish Arkle but having listened to it I think he was almost certainly talking about Cheltenham.

[ComplyOrDie]

Not really anywhere but the BANC he could go is there?

Unless one more run amd gets a decent enough mark for the Novice Handicap Race.