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2017 Arkle Trophy Chase

Henderson has today confirmed Altior will be declared for this. Interesting he only uses the words declared rather than runs.

I'm happy either way with who rides him to be honest Faugheen. I'm a fan of both jockeys and wouldn't see a negative in either riding him on the day. Anything in particular that puts you off Nico riding him?
 
Just that he hasn't rode him over fences yet.
 
Interesting indeed. I hope I'm wrong and he does run.

Id definitely want to see Nico win on him (and Might Bite) actually just so it isn't an unknown! Whoever rides on Sat will ride IMO.

I'm probably a bit harsh on NDB ... he rode Sprinter Sacre every day ... not like he can't handle a super star! Didn't do bad on him after BG left Hendo either
 
Yeah I see Nico riding and winning on Altior over fences as another “tick in a box” for an unknown coming into the festival to add to the peace of mind but we know he’s schooled the horse over fences plenty at home and rode him on all 5 of his hurdle runs last year so will know the horse very well.

Along with riding Sprinter every day he’s won the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup at the last 2 festivals so he has winning form over the 2 biggest chases at the festival already. One on a novice in the biggest race at the festival and another on one of the greatest, most high profile and loved horses ever. So both rides had their pressures and challenges.

I guess if you were being picky you could say he hasn't had an odds on 'banker' ride at the festival yet so that adds a different kind of pressure but his 3 Festival wins came on 2nd Fav's in each race so were still well fancied
 
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Agree with FM. Noel is better than Nico but no insult in that.

Talking through my pocket but thought 2016 Arkle was not Nicos finest hour.
 
mayo said:
Agree with FM. Noel is better than Nico but no insult in that.

Talking through my pocket but thought 2016 Arkle was not Nicos finest hour.
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Each way I hope? :o
 
Personally i'd question the horse more so over the jockey - always seems to find a way not to win, particularly at Cheltenham. How he still hasn't won at the course... :confused:
 
jono said:
Personally i'd question the horse more so over the jockey - always seems to find a way not to win, particularly at Cheltenham. How he still hasn't won at the course... :confused:
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Hate jockey bashing Jono so agree with main point. A more seasoned jockey might have accepted his fate (2nd) last year ...shouldn't be an issue with Altior anyway.
 
I loathe jockey bashing and see it much like this ...

The Jockey is a factor in the race just as much as ground, horse and trainer form etc. None of them set out to mess up so if you don't rate a particular individual jockey don't back their mounts or lay if that is your game. We would have no game without them.

Feel free to talk about them though ...
 
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Calm down dear. Noel > Nico.
 
Don't like the greater than thing either. Off to bed :sleeping:
 
Sizing John would have got back past vaniteaux last year in the Arkle regardless. He was cooked and we know SZ stays further. Much better horse. Landed my ew w/o bets no problem :highly_amused:

I jest A little ... but I don't think Vaniteaux would have or ever would finish ahead of sizing John .... (my mate and I have this on-going tongue in cheek battle as he was in your positions too)
 
Kim Bailey just responded to a question on twitter on where will Charbel next run be.........Arkle
 
Well that's buggered up the 33s I had for the JLT! Better take some 16s ew NRNB with Paddys !
 
Tad surprised they are running in the Arkle but he has never ran over 16.5F so I imagine they have ran out of time to test the longer trip out.

BIG chance to be in the places
 
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