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2017 Arkle Trophy Chase

Ricci saying that they have tinkered with a few things on ATR, the drift in the Supreme market just before the 5 day declarations, he travelled like the best horse in the race and then found very little when asked for his effort. I wondered at the time and then the lay off with no definitive answer on what the injury was, even Willie is usually much more open. Only my opinion but I have a suspicion that he might of had a wind issue. And they seem very keen to take on Altior again even though he was well beaten, where do they expect the improvement to come from?
 
I wouldn't be backing him today at 1/3 that's for sure.. I'm MINs biggest fan and all over him for the arkle but there might be a couple of half decent horses on here today.. The JP thing was well touted for a festival handicap, but there might be other days ahead for him.. Ruby will need to kick out in front as a lot of these today have absolutely no chance of winning but might get in his way.. Needs to bolt up to shorted in the market in my opinion.. Knowing the bookies he will win a short head and be 3/1 ��
 
Does Mullins usually keep wind ops quiet? With such a high profile horse you'd expect it to be mentioned in one of the various stable tours.

I don't see it myself, I think they expect the improvement because he is a tall leggy horse who will improve for going chasing, nothing more, nothing less.

He will need to win today, he is up against 6 JP handicappers and a previous Mullins inmate that they will surely feel they have the beating of! Anything less than an unflustered win is going to be disappointing...
 
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Only an opinion kev, they have never specified the injury in fact after chelt i cant even remember them saying that the horse was even injured. Doesnt add up to me and would be explained with a breathing issue, although if it was they could just say and i dont think anyone would care.
 
Very impressive debut... on the exchanges there was no horse in single figures which isn't great but not Min's fault!

I thought he jumped neatly too... liked that. Clever jumping.

Ruby not getting lured in to comparing the horse to Douvan or Vautour there either :highly_amused: "they didn't get beat in the Supreme, he did"

I think they know Altior is the one to beat and I don't think they're too confident at this stage with Min at least...
 
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I was also impressed. The Arkle could be the race of the festival if they all make it there in one piece.

I've took 6/1 Min - can only see him shortening in months ahead.
 
PaddyPower have pushed Yorkhill out to 9/1 (best price) and cut Min to 4s for this... (They are still biggest price Yorkhill for CH and shortest for the JLT)

Good news for me, I only have Min in an EW double with Yorkhill (JLT)
 
I have Min in no fewer than 16 Yankee and Canadians e/w at 8/1, I can't complain, much more value than the current 15/8 on altior with betfair... min placing pays bigger than that!!
 
Haha 16?! Some life-changers I guess!

Altior was available at 6 when Min was 8, so I'm sure some people are on both at nice prices, each way :)
 
"He got beat in the Supreme, the other two (Vautour and Douvan) didn't. Mind you, when you look what beat him, I'd say Altior is a very good horse and I thought he was very good in Kempton." The quote from Ruby after Min win
 
paz247 said:
"He got beat in the Supreme, the other two (Vautour and Douvan) didn't. Mind you, when you look what beat him, I'd say Altior is a very good horse and I thought he was very good in Kempton." The quote from Ruby after Min win
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Yet another 'missed opportunity' to discuss an injury or wind op etc .... Ruby gone out of his way to say Altior is a good horse .... there can't be anything else?
 
Indeed kevloaf 16 bets, hopefully one of them might drop in and be a life changer, I've picked two main horses for the fez which are in majority of my bets, min for the arkle and black Hercules for the Ryan air..!! Just hope the target is right for that one! Got him combined with all sorts from on the fringe and Josies order, to thistle crack and Jenkins, just feel as Ruby and Willie are both talking the horse down a bit not to build up the hype but rich ricci seemed fairly happy with min on his interview with ATR a few weeks back
 
I'm fully behind you with Black Hercules for the Ryanair... he's slipped into a few of mine already!

I agree they seem to be actively playing the horse down but hard to take that as a positive ... easy for me to "want" to see that, as Altior is my biggest bet so far.
 
I had a couple on altior at 3's but no more, I just can't take the 15/8 about him this far out, I think you could get those odds or there abouts on the day, want to see more on the form book than a hack round kempton against a hurdler he was probably rated 30lb superior to
 
I think he'll be 6/4 with Min about 9/4 on the day .... even so, wouldn't take the price now compared to the day!

Start a Ryanair chase thread :encouragement:
 
Just realised that Min victory was the only winner on the card not trained by Gordon Elliott.....
 
Very good crowd at Navan today, and the main interest was the true NH punterswas the beginners chase featuring Min.
A large crowd assembled at the last fence in order to witness the novices jumping at first hand.

Min has the stamp of a typical Mullins' chaser: long, tall and lean.

Min put up a fine performance and will be a worthy challenger to Altior come March.

Having watched Douvan run in the same race last year, I believe Douvan was the better and Douvan just seems to exude a feeling of greatness.

The horse that I have taken from todays card was Death Duty. He traveled beautifully and jumped very well. He won without having to break sweat, there is talent within.
 
The horse that I have taken from todays card was Death Duty. He traveled beautifully and jumped very well. He won without having to break sweat, there is talent within.
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Really impressed with Death Duty too. Is it to early for me to be backing him for the RSA in 2018 yet?? :D
Pretty shocked his odds are still so big for the AB.

Back to the Arkle - i've only juts managed to watch the Min reply. Vanilla - you were their in person, on first watch there were several jumps where the horse twisted his body in quite an odd fashion - didn't look natural. Did you notice that (or anyone else?) Haven't heard anyone else pick up on it...so probably just me!!
 
Altior should get a real good test this weekend. Charbel is a confirmed runner and likely that Marracudja will also run. IF they both run i'm not sure you could have asked for a better test for Altior really.

Marracudja will go a good gallop from the front and ensure the race has a strong pace. For me Charbel is a high class chaser in the making. The form of his debut win at Uttoxeter in October is great - Top Notch has won 2 races impressivly since and Le Prezzien won at the Open meeting recently. I think he'll really push Altior in this and the fences at Sandown are a tough test for any novice (arguably one of the most trickiest courses to jump imo)

Come 14:00 Saturday we should know if Altior can justify his short price at the head of the Arkle betting.
 
Loved it. Even his mistake :highly_amused:

I would say he is certainly justified as a short priced fav. He is not any worse than any other novice chaser we've seen so far (better than most?) and has a much bigger engine than anything in the UK at the moment. He absolutely powered away from good yardsticks.

I can 'see' the point for backing Min against him (on price), but that price difference is a leap of faith in the 'injury gained in the supreme' theory and even if it was true, it doesn't mean he'd beat him. If they we're both the same price I would be amazed at anyone saying they'd rather be with Min than Altior after everything we have seen so far.
 
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