2026 Novice Chasers

[Lobos]

9lbs difference on hurdles form.

That said, Pauling is also in good form.

Pic Roc.....

"He is a horse I have always liked a lot, and he could go for the Coral Gold Cup even though he is still a novice. We will try to find him a novice chase to win in the none too distant future and then look to go maybe to Newbury. We will look towards a proper season, and he could always end up back in novices later in the season."

Ben Pauling

 

[Yosser]

I’ve joined you, happy to take the 25/1 and scream Baaaaahhhh

He is worth backing Ista. No Baaaaahhhh about it we are all here to try and make some dollar, I want every body to be on the right horses. I'm surprised at his price for the race. I think that's quite a hot looking starting point with Pic Roc and Wade Out. Not world beaters by any stretch but a good little yard stick first out

 

[Istabraq]

He is worth backing Ista. No Baaaaahhhh about it we are all here to try and make some dollar, I want every body to be on the right horses. I'm surprised at his price for the race. I think that's quite a hot looking starting point with Pic Roc and Wade Out. Not world beaters by any stretch but a good little yard stick first out

@archie has been singing this ones praises all Summer, we’ll have to see where he ranks in the Mullins pecking order but let’s hope he makes the BANC cut….

 

[archie]

@archie has been singing this ones praises all Summer, we’ll have to see where he ranks in the Mullins pecking order but let’s hope he makes the BANC cut….

I think that my comment was that he was worth a small ew chance at the price but I'll happily take the credit if it comes off.

 

[Lobos]

@archie has been singing this ones praises all Summer, we’ll have to see where he ranks in the Mullins pecking order but let’s hope he makes the BANC cut….

Mullins pecking order ??

 

[Istabraq]

Mullins pecking order ??

Yeah apologies, thought he was Mullins….

 

[Lobos]

Yeah apologies, thought he was Mullins….

Does that make a difference??

 

[Istabraq]

Does that make a difference??

Well there’s no pecking order threat anymore…

 

[Lobos]

Well there’s no pecking order threat anymore…

True....he's their Number 1 !

It'll give us some sort of additional form line re The New Lion and Jasmin as well albeit over fences.

 

[Eggs]

….Wendigo drifting in the market and turned over on chasing debut.

Generally pushed 33-1 BANC.

 

[Lobos]

….Wendigo drifting in the market and turned over on chasing debut.

Generally pushed 33-1 BANC.

Perfectly adequate start over inadequate trip and tight course

 

[Prestbury]

Perfectly adequate start over inadequate trip and tight course

I thought so too - and really should have won the race but jockey reluctant to send him on between the last two and got outsprinted after the last.

 

[Lobos]

Stewards enquiry so might yet get the race.....

 

[Durham Edition]

I thought so too - and really should have won the race but jockey reluctant to send him on between the last two and got outsprinted after the last.

Certainly if he pushes on SB probably gives up on the eventual winner.

 

[Runragged]

Jumped and travelled ok for debut. Just got beat by a quicker horse at the finish I felt.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

Didn't see the race but I can't help but feel, despite the drift, that he was expected to win today.

That said, Olly Murphy is another trainer in top top form and is now 4 winners from his last 5 chase runners and has won with the last 6 runners he's had, so Wendigo could.have just run into a horse primed for that today.

 

[Durham Edition]

Didn't see the race but I can't help but feel, despite the drift, that he was expected to win today.

That said, Olly Murphy is another trainer in top top form and is now 4 winners from his last 5 chase runners and has won with the last 6 runners he's had, so Wendigo could.have just run into a horse primed for that today.

Update to share owners Gavin said he should have went on from the 2nd last and that he should have won but got beat in a sprint.

 

[Exar Essay]

Does anyone have any genuine contenders/fancies for the Arkle at this stage? Just having a look over the oddschecker list and bar Kopek des Bordes, there doesn't seem many certain runners?

Lulamba - nothing confirmed yet/4 year old stats
Anazadam/W.Munny/TNL/Con.Hill - all routed down the Champion Hurdle route
Salvator Mundi -can't remember what the stable tour suggested but would be second strong Mullins anyhow

Most the horses in the next 10-15 on the list all have either had injuries - question marks over the trip - or are IMO not anywhere near the top level.

I know the Arkle tends to end up being a very small select field anyway but it has just highlighted how difficult antepost is at this stage of the season when most horses haven't ran yet to even indicate their well being.

I got down to Karniquet (available at 50/1 with some firms) and started talking myself into that he looked good each way value and that his form, albeit always behind Kopeck, actually didn't look too bad - before giving myself a slap and closing the tab. Having already backed KdB - I'll sit and wait for some actual evidence.

I don't like EW bets at this stage of the season as a rule, but I can't see Romeo Coolio out of the three and he'd have every chance of winning. Has run well twice at the festival and looks every but that he'll improve for a fence. You're hoping that Kopek has more respect of his fences, but with Romeo, his shape is already one of a chaser. I'm happy to put a line through any post festival run, and he hardly embarrassed himself at Aintree. Just seemed to run out of steam at the end of what was a long season for him.

20/1 looks great value to me. Gordon has said he'll start at 2 miles this season which is good enough for me.

 

[darlojim]

I don't like EW bets at this stage of the season as a rule, but I can't see Romeo Coolio out of the three and he'd have every chance of winning. Has run well twice at the festival and looks every but that he'll improve for a fence. You're hoping that Kopek has more respect of his fences, but with Romeo, his shape is already one of a chaser. I'm happy to put a line through any post festival run, and he hardly embarrassed himself at Aintree. Just seemed to run out of steam at the end of what was a long season for him.

20/1 looks great value to me. Gordon has said he'll start at 2 miles this season which is good enough for me.

Do agree think he'll be a good chaser, but niggly feeling that might be 2m4+

 

[Wayward Lad]

Wendigo today is a classic case of what I believe is bookmakers over reaction and where I think we forum members still have a opportunity of value, if the fundamentals of the horse etc remain the same, or better

Has Wendigo’s chance to win the BANC really reduced after today?…….does he warrant the drift from 25/1 to 33/1?…..I don’t think so and here’s why;

- first run of the season - fitness
- first run in public over fences - experience
- over 1/2 mile less than the BANC (the same thing happened with GDC’s price last year after being beaten over an inadequate trip)
- over 1/2 mile less than where he ran a cracking race in last years potato race and flagged himself as a BANC horse this year
- todays track verses Cheltenham.
- not given a hard race - better races, kudos and prize money later in the season including BANC

Wendigo appeared to jump ok today?.., seemed to cruise most the way and maybe would have won if sent on earlier?…, so what’s he done wrong (apart from win) to his chances of winning the BANC?

If you fancied him before for the BANC, then I’d say stick and maybe have a bit of the 33/1 while it lasts!