2025 Novice Chasers

[Rooster Booster]

Croke Park not certain to go to the BANC, Gordon has told Nick Luck.

Thinks he's a two and half mile horse not 3m.

And I completely agree with him. His 3 miler was a non runner.

[Benjy23]

He's won a Grade 1 chase over 3 miles this season... Be mental to not send him to the BANC like

[ComplyOrDie]

And I completely agree with him. His 3 miler was a non runner.

Yeah, I'm hoping the same!

[Lobos]

Croke Park not certain to go to the BANC, Gordon has told Nick Luck.

Thinks he's a two and half mile horse not 3m.

Makes life a little bit easier for Ballyburn!

[Mighty]

Absolutely crazy. He’s a thorough stayer and only finished 5L off Ballyburn and won a G1 over 3m this season. He should absolutely go to the festival.

[The hill]

Jesus let's hope he goes 3 miles looks perfect, elliott starting to sound like Nicholls.

[Kevloaf]

Absolutely crazy. He’s a thorough stayer and only finished 5L off Ballyburn and won a G1 over 3m this season. He should absolutely go to the festival.

Makes all in the Jack Richards?

[Exar Essay]

Jango Baie and Handstands awarded RPRs of 158 for the Scilly Isles. Puts them 2nd amongst the stayers, just 2lb shy of Ballyburn.

[Kevloaf]

Jango Baie and Handstands awarded RPRs of 158 for the Scilly Isles. Puts them 2nd amongst the stayers, just 2lb shy of Ballyburn.

That is absolutely bonkers

Where does Handstands rank for Sciliy Isles winners over the last 10-15 years

[That Horse]

That is absolutely bonkers

Where does Handstands rank for Sciliy Isles winners over the last 10-15 years

Just picking out a few from the RP data from previous ten runnings: he got same rating as Gerri Colombe from two years ago; he's five shy of L'Homme Presse.

Actually, him, Gerri and Bristol de Mai in 2016 were the lowest RPRs at 158, everything else got a higher rating.

[Rooster Booster]

Absolutely crazy. He’s a thorough stayer and only finished 5L off Ballyburn and won a G1 over 3m this season. He should absolutely go to the festival.

I really do not see him as a thorough stayer. He just about clung on against BDA and is bred for mid trips (he is three parts related to Farren Glory) . Gordon has said repeatedly he only just gets 3 miles. This years BANC will be a thorough and lung busting test imo. Another furlong yesterday and he’d have been beaten even further and an extra 2 furlongs he’d have been beaten a distance. Also the trainer will be getting feedback from the jockeys and I’d bet my mortgage on that feedback being consistent with what Gordon has been saying all along.Gordon is not stupid and he knows staying chasers as well as any and better than most. He has had dozens and dozens of this type through his yard over the seasons and he absolutely knows the time of day with them. Maybe I am wrong, maybe Gordon is wrong, maybe the jockeys are wrong or maybe they are telling him he is a thorough stayer and Gordon is ignoring them and putting us away. Me being wrong happens all the time, the rest I’m not so sure. Anyone on him for the BANC I get the disappointment but it was only going to end one way imo.

[AaronLad]

That is absolutely bonkers

Where does Handstands rank for Sciliy Isles winners over the last 10-15 years

What's bonkers about this?
Mark of gold is a 142 rated hurdler, who won a graded novice chase on his chase debut. I think it's quite fair to suggest at this early stage he's as good a chaser as hurdler.
All 4 horses on Saturday were ridden out fully to the line.

So for the front 2 to have beaten him by 17 lengths and be given an rpr of 158, is bonkers?

This was for me the best race of the WHOLE weekend.
If jango baie turns up in the banc, he's a proper contender.

Previous 10 years scilly Isles winners rprs and Cheltenham result.

Nickleback 159. didn't go Cheltenham
gerri colombe 158. 2nd banc
l'homme presse 163. Won banc
Sporting john. 160. Fell banc
Itchy feet. 160. Fell 2m4f grade1 novice chase
defi du seuil 163 won 2m4f g1
terrefort 160. 2nd 2m4f g1
top notch 160 2nd 2m4f g1
Bristol de mai. 158. 2nd 2m4f g1
Gitane du berlais 153 didn't go

4 2nd place finishes and 2 winners from the previous 10 years, and 2 didn't go and 2 Fell.
So not a bad record when completing.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I really do not see him as a thorough stayer. He just about clung on against BDA and is bred for mid trips (he is three parts related to Farren Glory) . Gordon has said repeatedly he only just gets 3 miles. This years BANC will be a thorough and lung busting test imo. Another furlong yesterday and he’d have been beaten even further and an extra 2 furlongs he’d have been beaten a distance. Also the trainer will be getting feedback from the jockeys and I’d bet my mortgage on that feedback being consistent with what Gordon has been saying all along.Gordon is not stupid and he knows staying chasers as well as any and better than most. He has had dozens and dozens of this type through his yard over the seasons and he absolutely knows the time of day with them. Maybe I am wrong, maybe Gordon is wrong, maybe the jockeys are wrong or maybe they are telling him he is a thorough stayer and Gordon is ignoring them and putting us away. Me being wrong happens all the time, the rest I’m not so sure. Anyone on him for the BANC I get the disappointment but it was only going to end one way imo.

No, imo you are not wrong.
I too have him backed for the BANC, but I too just don’t see him staying strong enough for this race.
Like you say, GE knows a BANC horse when he sees it.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Jango Baie and Handstands awarded RPRs of 158 for the Scilly Isles. Puts them 2nd amongst the stayers, just 2lb shy of Ballyburn.

Not that surprising
Was a good performance from both.
Not sure Jango needs the BANC trip though.
Ive backed him but think he’s a likely non runner

[Carnage at Taunton]

Absolutely crazy. He’s a thorough stayer and only finished 5L off Ballyburn and won a G1 over 3m this season. He should absolutely go to the festival.

He ran like he was equal at least to Ballyburn……., possibly the respective jumping helped in that regard.
Lost the race with the finishing of both horses.
Of course Ballyburn might simply be better, but he did not look better during the race imo, only at the end.
If CP was a genuine 3 miler and ran like that imo he would at least gone very close or won the race.