• HELP US - Become a Patron - Fat Jockey is a horse racing community focused on all the big races in the UK and Ireland. We don't charge users but if you have found the site useful then any support towards the running costs is appreciated ... a small donation each month would be a huge contribution. Become a Patron!

2017 Albert Bartlett Novices

Jack. HdB has been adamant all along that they will run where Death Duty doesn't... so he looks likely to be going for the Neptune.

Agree with you, though, like the horse very much.
 
Jack. HdB has been adamant all along that they will run where Death Duty doesn't... so he looks likely to be going for the Neptune.

Agree with you, though, like the horse very much.


Yeah i've seen that, but he's also mentioned within that how much better he thinks the horse is over 3miles, so i wouldnt be surprised if he still ended up facing DD. As NRNB is now available i guess its possible to risk backing both! The worry for me about the Neptune is, it is often won by a horse that ideally runs in the Champion the year after, as it is run to suit a horse with pace. This horse gallops to the line rather than accelerates...
 
Mixed messages about Wholestone

DJ says Wholestone is another in cracking form and he felt very good the other morning while Messire Des Obeaux has come out of his Huntingdon race better than he did the Challow. All roads lead to Cheltenham with this pair.
 
Twisters are very sweet on Wholestone....
 
In fairness they have every right to be sweet on him, he's done nothing wrong, and beat some horses that have franked the form.
 
I really like Wholestone.

If the Irish novices aren't up to scratch, they'll struggle to get a place even with DD and AK etc

We 'know' the Irish staying hurdlers (open company) aren't as good as the British ones, and West Approach got close enough to UNWIMH to give a really, nice and solid look to the UK Novice staying hurdler form.

Maybe a little hasty, as behind WA and Wholestone theres a bit of a jump to Willoughby Court and Constantine Bay and I don't think either are worth a punt.... I was thinking about requesting a UK 1-2-3 in this race... but don't want to know now
 
I'm in the Wholestone camp too ! , looked good all along this season , and got him in plenty of my L.15's,. I think it's between him and Death Duty, IF he's the Real Deal as G E says.
 
I think there was word from previews about wholestone having a setback ..Casey and Carl of top of my head
 
That is disappointing. I would be really sweet on Wholestone placing. Similar to Yanworth.
 
Wholestone very unlikely to run
 
I mistakenly posted this on the preview thread instead of here a few days ago.

A bit worrying for us Wholestone supporters after what Carl Llewellyn said..CL – Wholestone lacks the class for this race. He has had a problem since his last run.

I hope he's telling porkies and maybe just fishing for a bigger price, but he's pretty close to NTD, so it's a concern for sure.

But since then NTD & DJ have both said that he's in great form.

Ista ? have you heard anything ?
 
Yeah unfortunately from the yard, but not serious and likely to be aimed at Aintree
 
I've just pressed my Death Duty position at 9/4, when Wholestone is confirmed NR DD price will shorten and he could be a massive Irish plunge on the day, we all know how bullish Elliott is and I can really see this one getting hammered into a very short price....
 
Cheers for the info Ista, very disappointing from a race spectacle but definitely strengthens Death Duty's position in the market
 
All change, literally in last 15 mins.

NTD this morning happy with Wholestone's progress and still targeting the potato race.
Think Munir only had one festival winner and very keen on getting him there...
 
Sounds a bit like Barters Hill last year - its far from ideal anyway you look at it.