2017 Foxhunters Chase

[Liammet]

Not the most popular race of the festival
However,one of the easiest to predict the winner over the years,pretty fav friendly
Here we have a fav that has won at the 3 big festivals for the last 2 years,Cheltenham,Aintree and Punchestown and trained by a genius at these races
Yet is readily available at 5/1,will probably have the services of the best amateur jockey around in jj codd
No obvious threat coming through the ranks
Apart from getting a bit older what am I missing ?
Not seen him mentioned in any multiple bets by anyone

[KingSprinterSacre]

I have him in some luckys. Hoping he can do it 1 last year but cant be overly confident. Age has to catch up some time on him. Hes 12 now i think

[ryanh97]

Id fancy him aswell but as KSS said age has to catch up with him sooner or later. Worth a speculative punt at 5s though

[Liammet]

Get the thing about the age
However,one careful owner and low miles on the clock
Would much prefer to back him at 5s than moon racer,getabird or bellshill

[jono]

I'm not a big fan of the race itself but i'm a massive On The Fringe fan and echo everything you say Liam there. And yes these races I fell are always good to focus on (likewise the cross country) in that because they are looked down on the market can be slower to react and will allow horses to go off higher than say in other more popular or high profile races.

I'd certainly favour OTF against the same pool of horses. Could be a few new recruits this year to take on with the likes of Foxrock. My only concern with OTF wouldn't be his age as such but just the fact he may just be a little harder to get right/spot on for Cheltenham. Bolger struggled last year for Cheltenham and he didn't show his old spark beforehand. He did of course get right back on track at Aintree most impressively before again putting in a better display at Punchestown.

It Came to Pass is the obvious 'eyecatcher' from last years race. Travelling really strongly before falling though I have no idea if they are going to be targeting the race this year - been an odd preparation for it so far and beaten out of site in 3 runs this season..though you'd expect that with a Jim Culloty horse!!

Plus of course OTF is in the forum Win Yankee!!

[ryanh97]

Despite what I said about age catching up with him, you'd have to say 5s could look very very big come the 17th March. He is just an exceptional horse, doesn't quite get the recognition he deserves due to many people not liking the race but his achievements the last 2 years are nothing short of phenomenal. One of those horses you pretty much just have to back every time until he shows time has caught up with him. Saying all this I still haven't backed him (or the forum yankee ). Time I got on him and the yankee

[Faugheen_Machine]

Foxrock, First Lieutenant, Salsify and On His Own are entered in a hunter chase tomorrow at Thurles.

Some old warriors listed there.

[Leman14]

Get the thing about the age
However,one careful owner and low miles on the clock
Would much prefer to back him at 5s than moon racer,getabird or bellshill

When you put it like that Liam, I would much rather be taking the 5's for OTF than MR, Getabird and Bellshill.
Definite target and a superb festival record.

Age is the only unknown quantity BUT at 5/1 - that's a price that I'd take.

And like Ryan says, keep backing him UNTIL age catches up!

[HardyEustace]

If OTF makes it to the festival anywhere near the form he's previously shown, 5's is a massive price. I can't really see anything coming through that would be able challenge him, even if not fully on form.

I had a few small bets on It Came to Pass at the start of the season, as I backed him last year and he traveled well before falling last year, but I believe he's doesn't qualify now due to the races he's been campaigned in so far this year.

I also had a nibble at Foxrock just before he ran in his first hunter chase - Bet365 had him priced at 10s and I thought that was decent value as he'd shorten if he won well - but I've since discovered Foxrock isn't actually eligible for this. I know I should have checked on eligibility myself before making the bet, but you'd think the bookies would check if a horse actually qualifies to run in a race before pricing it up as 2nd fav!

[mayo]

Istabraq ( de poster) is a big fan of OTF.

Nice race at Thurles alright FM...

1 Foxrock Barry Connell T.M. Walsh Ms K. Walsh(B, T) 12,00
2 Salsify Mrs J B Sweeney Rodger Sweeney Mr A.J. Fox (7) 12,00
3 On His Own Prince & Paupers Syndicate W.P. Mullins 11,11
4 First Lieutenant Gigginstown House Stud M.F.Morris Mr J.C. Barry (5)(C) 11,07
5 Ruairis Cloud G. Kingston Robert Tyner Mr D. O'Connor 11,07

[Faugheen_Machine]

Grand Gesture is a talented horse but he has his own ideas about racing these days.

[Liammet]

If OTF makes it to the festival anywhere near the form he's previously shown, 5's is a massive price. I can't really see anything coming through that would be able challenge him, even if not fully on form.

I had a few small bets on It Came to Pass at the start of the season, as I backed him last year and he traveled well before falling last year, but I believe he's doesn't qualify now due to the races he's been campaigned in so far this year.

I also had a nibble at Foxrock just before he ran in his first hunter chase - Bet365 had him priced at 10s and I thought that was decent value as he'd shorten if he won well - but I've since discovered Foxrock isn't actually eligible for this. I know I should have checked on eligibility myself before making the bet, but you'd think the bookies would check if a horse actually qualifies to run in a race before pricing it up as 2nd fav!

Hardy I could be wrong but I think Foxrock could still qualify for this
I just don't think he has been placed in a couple of hunter chases yet
If he was before the festival I think he could run

[HardyEustace]

He's not eligible having placed in a graded chase last year: http://www.hri-ras.ie/News/?news=P-6...b-c8e361d139a1

[Liammet]

I didn't realise that was the case
Thanks hardy

[Istabraq]

This race has some of the strongest trends of all festival races.
Vew few established chasers reverting to hunting do well, you need to come from the sphere to figure....