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2026 Novice Chasers

Kopek and Brighterdaysahead in line for the beginners chase at Navan next weekend according to connections. That would be some spectacle if they both take their chance.
 
Kopek and Brighterdaysahead in line for the beginners chase at Navan next weekend according to connections. That would be some spectacle if they both take their chance.
Would be lovely wouldn't it. Wonder who will crack first...
 
Kargese nibbled at again for Arkle.
Sorry , if I have missed something , been offline since friday.
If Kargese goes to the Arkle , that makes three potential runners .
K.D.B. , S.MUNDI and Kargese .
Yes , willie said a fence might help her calm down but am I right in thinking , willie only runs one in the arkle ??., and he's already name checked the race for K.D.B.
Is there any other race possible for Kargese
Or S.Mundi come to that , B.a.n.c. , Jack Richard's , or mares chase - kargese - spring to mind . ?.
 
Sorry , if I have missed something , been offline since friday.
If Kargese goes to the Arkle , that makes three potential runners .
K.D.B. , S.MUNDI and Kargese .
Yes , willie said a fence might help her calm down but am I right in thinking , willie only runs one in the arkle ??., and he's already name checked the race for K.D.B.
Is there any other race possible for Kargese
Or S.Mundi come to that , B.a.n.c. , Jack Richard's , or mares chase - kargese - spring to mind . ?.
Haha, welcome to November....

ps - it'll all make sense by mid March
 
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Ran 4 in 2023 and 3 the year before. 17 runners in last 10 years for Willie in the Arkle. Those 3 might jump like Ballyburn though.
 
Sorry , if I have missed something , been offline since friday.
If Kargese goes to the Arkle , that makes three potential runners .
K.D.B. , S.MUNDI and Kargese .
Yes , willie said a fence might help her calm down but am I right in thinking , willie only runs one in the arkle ??., and he's already name checked the race for K.D.B.
Is there any other race possible for Kargese
Or S.Mundi come to that , B.a.n.c. , Jack Richard's , or mares chase - kargese - spring to mind . ?.

I think in recent seasons Willie has had to run more than one in the race, due to the sheer number of horses he has available.

2024 - 3 runners
2023 - 4 runners
2022 - 3 runners
 
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…HDB;

Dark horse
Forty Coats
6g Diamond Boy - Regal Obligation
C Jones
11-2224
RPR 144h OR 142h

He’s just back in and I think we will go chasing this season. He's still a couple of weeks off a run, but we'll aim for a beginners’ chase and see from there. I was delighted with his run in the Turners when fourth to The New Lion. We knew he was a good horse. He got a bit outpaced and then stayed on really well. He looked a stayer that day.

Star quality
The Big Westerner
6m Westerner - Augusta Bay
M K Mariga
112P-
RPR 141h OR 140h

I’m very happy with her. She seems in great form. She’s going over fences and could start off in a mares’ beginners’ chase at Cork this month. She looks like a real chaser and hopefully I’m proved right. She has so much class that I think she'll be good over any trip, but I think softer conditions are important for her. Looking ahead, the mares' novice chase at Limerick over Christmas could be an option after Cork.

The Big Westerner took the runner-up spot in last season's Albert Bartlett and fences now beckon for the six-year-old mare
 
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Got on board with July Flower for the Arkle.

I think this is her trip. Henry seems to now think so as well, although she obviously has form over further too.

I don't think she'll be at the level of the main protagonists, however, it takes one or two injuries and suddenly we have a wide open race, and it wouldn't be for the first time. It's also a race Henry has form in, which is a plus, for me.

I'm sure there are some shrewdies on here who have some bigger prices, but I still felt the 33's on offer was big enough for an E/W play.
 
……Hills offer Derryhassen Paddy 25-1 WTAF ahead of his run at Ayr tomorrow, a best 16-1 BANC.
Am tempted as don't have him onside but Sixmilebridge over this trip should put up a stern test. Obviously been ready to run for a while having been pulled on account of the ground in the last couple of weeks and I like his win over Potters Charm. Was too keen in the Turners so can forget that run whilst he comes from a point to point background so could improve for chasing. Also thinking the Russell/Scudamore team may be needing the run. Had a count through their last 14 days runners and they have had 30 horses start at a single figure price and only 3 winners including 8 beaten favourites. One of their winners was seemingly the 2nd string, beating a shorter priced runner. Factor in this is probably at a trip likely to be short of his best it wouldn't therefore be a shock if he was to get beat without doing much harm to his BANC chances.
 
Got on board with July Flower for the Arkle.

I think this is her trip. Henry seems to now think so as well, although she obviously has form over further too.

I don't think she'll be at the level of the main protagonists, however, it takes one or two injuries and suddenly we have a wide open race, and it wouldn't be for the first time. It's also a race Henry has form in, which is a plus, for me.

I'm sure there are some shrewdies on here who have some bigger prices, but I still felt the 33's on offer was big enough for an E/W play.
In the stable tour today he states he thinks she is now a 2m - 2m 4f mare as opposed to 2m 4f - 3m leaving it still open. Several winners of the Mares Chase had form at 2m. Speed seems more an asset than stamina in that race. Reading that report he isn't afraid to pitch her in against the boys with the Arkle trial entry this weekend and mentions the Drinmore as well. Could be worth a little tickle on the win, but not e/w for me with possibilities still open.
 
Am tempted as don't have him onside but Sixmilebridge over this trip should put up a stern test. Obviously been ready to run for a while having been pulled on account of the ground in the last couple of weeks and I like his win over Potters Charm. Was too keen in the Turners so can forget that run whilst he comes from a point to point background so could improve for chasing. Also thinking the Russell/Scudamore team may be needing the run. Had a count through their last 14 days runners and they have had 30 horses start at a single figure price and only 3 winners including 8 beaten favourites. One of their winners was seemingly the 2nd string, beating a shorter priced runner. Factor in this is probably at a trip likely to be short of his best it wouldn't therefore be a shock if he was to get beat without doing much harm to his BANC chances.
Should add the 2 1/2m handicap chases could prove right up Sixmilebridge street at the Festival especially with a hurdle mark of 142. If he can keep it around there and takes to chasing then I would be shocked if they don't have one eye on them.
 
Has something been announced about Kitzbuhel's plans for the season ? A sea of blue across Oddschecker in the BANC with every bookie except B365. Or has someone tipped him ?
 
Really looking forward to seeing Kopek this weekend and hope he jumps as well as has been quoted! Below from today's RP.

Charles McCarthy owns Kopek Des Bordes with his four sons under the name of Monabeg Investments Limited and was delighted to see their star coping with fences in a schooling video at Closutton.

He said: "He was jumping like a stag, gaining lengths at every fence. Willie is over the moon with him and he's entered at Navan on Saturday.

Also can't wait to see Final Demand. Would love to see both win impressively...but which one will be facing Brighterdaysahead who will likely strip fitter as Gordon normally has his ahead of Willie's at this time of year?
 
I'd imagine on the very testing ground that BDA will take on Kopek if she is to run this weekend.
 
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Whilst KDB hardened as fav for the Arkle yesterday with lots of blue on Oddscheker, there was also lots of blue on him for the BANC…..best price now 33/1 with the main bookmakers

No form over further than 2m, so not sure why the movement?……maybe people just hedging a small part of their Arkle position in case plans change?
 
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