Even at this early stage I'd be amazed if they went straight to the QMCC with him. Nicky is extremely cautious by nature so throwing him into open company when he doesn't have to would be more than a little uncharacteristic IMO. The 'risk' or 'leap' would be going chasing.
I'd echo this.
I'm convinced if the horse was owned by almost anyone else in the game he'd be lined up at getting as many CH wins as possible.
It goes against my position on him for this season but fair play if they do go over fences, which seems more and more likely.
I would say though that now is the time that they can be bullish. We know he will school over fences, so all options as of now are open.
When it's a little further down the line, when the decisions really have to be made, connections (and Nicky in particular understandably in fairness to him) may not be quite so open to all avenues.
But if he does go the seemingly likelier route of chasing. I see little chance of him running outside of the Arkle.
All along the talk from the owner has been about emulating Dawn Run, and winning a Gold Cup.
Not reaching and surpassing Night Nurse's record hurdles rating.
Not Champion Chases.
Make no mistake, no one would not want those things.
And if they could get the along the way, of course they would.
But if the Gold Cup is 'end goal' then a novice chasing campaign culminating with the Arkle as a 7 year old.
With a natural stepping stone up to 3 miles (Aintree > KG etc) from there onto the Gold Cup as an 8 year old.
Michael Buckley sells and persuades Nicky to go chasing...
That's the route Nicky then sells and persuades him for his best chance of achieving that plan.
A season easing him into chasing, within novice company.
And then tackling the Gold Cup at the absolute peak age for his best chance.
A win for all involved (if all goes to plan)
