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RSA Chase 2018

Robante said:
It's probably my pocket talking (as i'm on Wholestone for the RSA). He's actually held by Monalee on hurdles form as well, one we can confidently assume will be aimed at the RSA. Ballyoptic's target still up in the air though... we'll know a lot more next time out when presumably he'll be upped in grade over 3m. He certainly has the look of a proper staying chaser to me, so the 4 miler (for which he's now favourite) might come into play if he gets outpaced by something over the business end next time out
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You took words out my mouth , 4 miler for me also. Impressed me to be fair though i dont believe he up to RSA class
 
I think Monalee could easily end up in the 4 miler too.
 
I'd be astounded if monalee went for the 4 miler. Expect he will start over 2m4, and he may or may not end up going up to 3. My hunch would be jlt.
 
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Im happy to stick my neck out here and say Ballyoptic is screaming out RSA, he showed plenty of speed that suggested he will be handful for any novice over 3 miles, he rates a serious danger. Just checked his RPR (I had him 150+, could of gone higher but decided to take the lower of the figures when could of gone 155+) he got an RPR of 161!! Which is huge for a first time over fences, I cant see him going further than the RSA distance.
 
161 is high, what does an RSA winner usually get?
 
These are last 5 years winners and placed horses

2017 might bite 170, Whisper 164, Bellshill 154
2016 Blaklion 162, Shaneshill 162, More of that 155
2015 Don poli 166, Southfield theatre 159, Wounded warrior 157
2014 O'Faolains Boy 163, Smad Place 163, Morning Assembly 156
2013 Lord Windermere 157, Lyreen Legend 152, Hadrians Approach 151
 
I'm not quite as taken as many on here with Ballyoptic tbh, he was entitled to win how he did, up against what I believe to be a 4 miler in Elegant Escape, that was always going to be outpaced, and Barney Dwan who, bar one run, coincidentally at the festival, done absolutely nothing over hurdles last season.

It was a nice performance against a average 3m field but until his next performance, hopefully against better prospects I won't get too excited just yet.
 
ComplyOrDie said:
I'm not quite as taken as many on here with Ballyoptic tbh, he was entitled to win how he did, up against what I believe to be a 4 miler in Elegant Escape, that was always going to be outpaced, and Barney Dwan who, bar one run, coincidentally at the festival, done absolutely nothing over hurdles last season.

It was a nice performance against a average 3m field but until his next performance, hopefully against better prospects I won't get too excited just yet.
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I'd be in the same camp with presenting Percy, I don't think he ran well below form at punchestown at all, just the best race he ran in last season.
 
Scooby91 said:
I'd be in the same camp with presenting Percy, I don't think he ran well below form at punchestown at all, just the best race he ran in last season.
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I'm inclined to agree. Have yet to really play my hand with this race, because of the competitive market nothing is a stand out bet yet. Death Duty has been my only investment so far, but it's minimal in comparison to what I'm likely to end up with on this race come the festival.
 
Robante said:
Interview back in September NTD said both Wholestone and Ballyoptic would be tried chasing. Not sure Wholestone has done enough over hurdles in his two outings so far this season to suggest he'll be a contender at the top level if staying hurdling, so still holding out hope for that switch. If that does happen then i would imagine Wholestone would be aimed at RSA and Ballyoptic the 4 miler.

Topofthegame out tomorrow over 2m 6 at Newbury, by far my biggest return for this race so hoping for an impressive debut
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Wholestone has Newbury's Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle as his next target.

A prolific winner in his novice season, he emerged as the best in the three-mile division in Britain, but was beaten into third by Penhill and Monalee in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

He began this season with a solid run in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow over a trip short of his best and was beaten into second by Colin's Sister in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby last Saturday, giving the mare 7lb.

The handicapper has reacted by raising Wholestone 9lb and he is set to remain at Grade Two level at Newbury on December 1.

"I was delighted with Wholestone's run at Wetherby on Saturday. He is a lovely horse," said trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

"He will go off and compete in all those nice staying hurdles races that there are. Newbury will be next for him I imagine."
 
Scooby91 said:
Wholestone has Newbury's Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle as his next target.

A prolific winner in his novice season, he emerged as the best in the three-mile division in Britain, but was beaten into third by Penhill and Monalee in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

He began this season with a solid run in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow over a trip short of his best and was beaten into second by Colin's Sister in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby last Saturday, giving the mare 7lb.

The handicapper has reacted by raising Wholestone 9lb and he is set to remain at Grade Two level at Newbury on December 1.

"I was delighted with Wholestone's run at Wetherby on Saturday. He is a lovely horse," said trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

"He will go off and compete in all those nice staying hurdles races that there are. Newbury will be next for him I imagine."
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Zero interest in him for the Stayers at Cheltenham if that’s where he ends up, loves it round there and will give a good account I’m sure but will surely struggle to place. Topofthegame is a huge horse, couple of massive leaps before coming a cropper. Hoping he’s got an engine to match his frame (point form over 3m solid) and will be in business
 
Bacardys didn't look comfortable over fences, so this race would be most likely IMO. However, it is indeed early days so can't write him off entirely just not a very encouraging start.
 
ComplyOrDie said:
Bacardys didn't look comfortable over fences, so this race would be most likely IMO. However, it is indeed early days so can't write him off entirely just not a very encouraging start.
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Few quirks, but hopefully improve on better ground, I would like to see him go for this race as he looked to be getting going near the end
 
paz247 said:
Few quirks, but hopefully improve on better ground, I would like to see him go for this race as he looked to be getting going near the end
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Agree with that Paz , really gained some ground in the last part of the race , another 5 furlongs ,he'd be out in front .
 
Debece has suffered a set back and may be kept to hurdles this season, according to the racing post.
 
Informative 3 runner race tomorrow... Black Corton with 5 wins is a nice yardstick and its clsoe between West Approach getting 3lbs and Ballyoptic...

They both made nice debuts, I prefered Ballyoptic last season though.... when they both didn't complete behind UNWIMH Ballyoptic was 8/12 and WA (as a noivice) 40/1 but now they're both novices and both 7, I'd chance Ballyoptic at 6/4 that is available.
*and although West Approach finished 3rd ahead of Ballyoptic in 4th in the Cleeve hurdle..... I think that was more 'enterprising a ride' from Ruby whereas Ballyoptic tried to win the race and paid the price.
 
My Novice Chase selections have been very hit and miss so far (Finians, MWTT and Topofthegame) but I'm hoping Monalee can lay down a marker for this at Punchestown tomorrow. It's a potentially tricky opening for him so if he does win then all the better.
 
JackieMoon33 said:
My Novice Chase selections have been very hit and miss so far (Finians, MWTT and Topofthegame) but I'm hoping Monalee can lay down a marker for this at Punchestown tomorrow. It's a potentially tricky opening for him so if he does win then all the better.
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Have to say I've backed all the ones you've mentioned and Monalee but like you said it's not the easiest of first runs over fences but should be informative.
 
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