I just can't buy that Draconien is Mullins Arkle horse, it just doesn't sit right with me, to be fair I thought the same about Footpad last year before Christmas. I could be way off here but I went back to the drawing board last night to have a think about who it could be if it is not Drac.
When asked last year who was his best novice chaser (not that they were a great bunch) but Ricci said "Chacun Pour Soi has had his niggles but probably has the best potential." When interviewed by ATR again he was asked about novice chasers, "We've got some to come out, but there's one that I like called Chacun Pour Soi. He was very impressive in France and he could be a novice chaser this year, he's one to keep an eye on." He didn't make it to the track last year, strangely enough he was entered in a handicap in Taunton but never declared, I had thought this might be to get a mark in England and lock in a mark for the festival. I asked Joe Chambers last night and he confirmed the horse is back in Willies. Anyways PP have offered me 66s and 365 33s. I've had one unit at 66s.
The horse finished behind King's Socks (5th in Plate last year off 140) and Optimus Prime (2nd to Footpad in G1 at Punchestown) as a 4 year old that race was in March 16, the horse is still only 6. The horse came from Emmanuel Clayeux who has previously provided Mullins with Great Field and Al Boum Photo, he's also provided festival winner Delta Work to Elliott. Am I mad?