July ‘26 Yankee courtesy of @Runragged

[Lobos]

Happy to row in on Bossman Jack, ran well in Turners when 6th, form franked already.
He then won the class 1 at Aintree over 2 and half, looking like the experience of Cheltenham boosted him.
Looks to have size and scope for chasing and would think 3m would be his bag.

He is 1 of 3 I've backed in the Brown's, the other 2 being He's On Fire and No Drama This End.

Was one of Dan's 3 to follow for this coming season from his team. Didn't give a target . Maybe that's obvious though.

 

[Eggs]

…..in terms of a theme, many posters highlighting horses from the Turners. Might be a race to chuck a few in a multiple for next year;

1st) King Rasko
2nd) Act of Innocence
3rd) Zeus Power
4th) Soldier Reeves
5th) I’ll Sort That
6th) Bossman Jack

Maybe 3 from that list with Arkle, BANC and Stayers in mind.

 

[Halffat1]

I can’t see that Kopek Des Bordes has been included in any of the previous yankees but I think he is worthy of serious consideration. I take your point that it might well be a stronger division next year but despite an interrupted season last year he showed glimpses that he will convert his ability to fences. He is probably one where we need to be on board before his first run of next season.

 

[Runragged]

I think the Turners theme is well worth exploring, even if it just gives us a different angle for the Yankee.

The question is therefore, who goes where? Zeus Power and Solider Reeves are likely to be Stayers Hurdle candidates, whilst I believe the other 4 are all set to go chasing. Bossman Jack you imagine would step up in trip considering his staying on well at 2 1/2m, though being a half brother to Gidleigh Park then I can see the Manifesto being an ultimate target considering he was runner up in the race and Bossman Jack won at the National meeting this year.

I'll Sort That is a big price for both races, though amateur jockeys rarely win Cheltenham grade 1's so is off putting if continuing to ride. Act Of Innocence is a quandary as if he was owned by anyone else other than the same people that have Old Park Star then he would be a definite to target the Arkle. I don't think he stayed at Cheltenham, he actually ran the slowest final furlong of the first 12 home there. If I owned the pair then OPS would be staying over hurdles until AOI had at least jumped fences in public. Just seems odd to have both horses going chasing at the same time. But that is by-the-by and just my opinion. We then have King Rasko Grey. With no obvious Arkle candidate as yet for Mullins then do we just look at the obvious with KRG? Though, he is joint 3rd fav for the Champion Hurdle, joint shortest price of the Mullins trained for the Arkle (With Hes On Fire & Narciso Has) and Fav for the BANC. What is the obvious as the betting sure doesn't help in that respect?

Interested in other peoples thoughts on the 'Turners 6'.

 

[Danman]

I think the Turners theme is well worth exploring, even if it just gives us a different angle for the Yankee.

The question is therefore, who goes where? Zeus Power and Solider Reeves are likely to be Stayers Hurdle candidates, whilst I believe the other 4 are all set to go chasing. Bossman Jack you imagine would step up in trip considering his staying on well at 2 1/2m, though being a half brother to Gidleigh Park then I can see the Manifesto being an ultimate target considering he was runner up in the race and Bossman Jack won at the National meeting this year.

I'll Sort That is a big price for both races, though amateur jockeys rarely win Cheltenham grade 1's so is off putting if continuing to ride. Act Of Innocence is a quandary as if he was owned by anyone else other than the same people that have Old Park Star then he would be a definite to target the Arkle. I don't think he stayed at Cheltenham, he actually ran the slowest final furlong of the first 12 home there. If I owned the pair then OPS would be staying over hurdles until AOI had at least jumped fences in public. Just seems odd to have both horses going chasing at the same time. But that is by-the-by and just my opinion. We then have King Rasko Grey. With no obvious Arkle candidate as yet for Mullins then do we just look at the obvious with KRG? Though, he is joint 3rd fav for the Champion Hurdle, joint shortest price of the Mullins trained for the Arkle (With Hes On Fire & Narciso Has) and Fav for the BANC. What is the obvious as the betting sure doesn't help in that respect?

Interested in other peoples thoughts on the 'Turners 6'.

It's a head scrambler, totally agree that AOI would be going Arkle if not for OPS, KRG could be going any of three races, Mullins bingo in full effect there. I have left them all alone, at the moment, pity there's no 'win any race' markets about.

 

[BigChaang]

Any chance Act of Innocence goes to the
Jack Richard's, if the extra distance is a worry. ??.
From what's been discussed earlier , I would take out I'll sort it , - amateur...e.t.c..
Soldier Reeves , ... pertemp's plot ??., someone mentioned earlier ..
I think the solid options are ..
King Rasko Grey ., Zeus Power .., and Bossman Jack.., just need to find the correct races !!.
I personally, would be happy with Act of Innocence for the b.a.n.c. ..
So , if it's a nothing ventured , nothing gained approach ...
King Rasko Grey - arkle chs.
A.o.i , or Bossman Jack. - b.a.n.c..
Zeus Power - stayers hdl.
-------------------
I know some disagree , (about betting in the race now ), but Skerry Hill - turners n.hdl
available around 33-1.
One I would consider too.
Would truly make it a " turners special yankee".

 

[BuckingThe Trend]

If we're looking for a "Wild Card" what do people think about Jade De Grugy in the Mares Chase. Has there been any mention of her going Chasing ?

 

[Killiney]

I’m getting pretty sweet on Koktail Divin for Ryanair (16/1). Connections were keen to go down G1 route at Cheltenham (BANC) instead of Turners Hcp (I think it was pretty close to being fav for that one). As it turned out stamina was an issue. Next time out at Aintree it won the G1 2m4f Nov Ch impressively. That looks like the ideal trip. De Bromhead knows what is needed for this race, indeed has the reigning champ in the stable. But I like the look of this one.

 

[Eggs]

I’m getting pretty sweet on Koktail Divin for Ryanair (16/1). Connections were keen to go down G1 route at Cheltenham (BANC) instead of Turners Hcp (I think it was pretty close to being fav for that one). As it turned out stamina was an issue. Next time out at Aintree it won the G1 2m4f Nov Ch impressively. That looks like the ideal trip. De Bromhead knows what is needed for this race, indeed has the reigning champ in the stable. But I like the look of this one.

…I have him in my book so would be happy with that.

 

[Prestbury]

I think the Turners theme is well worth exploring, even if it just gives us a different angle for the Yankee.

The question is therefore, who goes where? Zeus Power and Solider Reeves are likely to be Stayers Hurdle candidates, whilst I believe the other 4 are all set to go chasing. Bossman Jack you imagine would step up in trip considering his staying on well at 2 1/2m, though being a half brother to Gidleigh Park then I can see the Manifesto being an ultimate target considering he was runner up in the race and Bossman Jack won at the National meeting this year.

I'll Sort That is a big price for both races, though amateur jockeys rarely win Cheltenham grade 1's so is off putting if continuing to ride. Act Of Innocence is a quandary as if he was owned by anyone else other than the same people that have Old Park Star then he would be a definite to target the Arkle. I don't think he stayed at Cheltenham, he actually ran the slowest final furlong of the first 12 home there. If I owned the pair then OPS would be staying over hurdles until AOI had at least jumped fences in public. Just seems odd to have both horses going chasing at the same time. But that is by-the-by and just my opinion. We then have King Rasko Grey. With no obvious Arkle candidate as yet for Mullins then do we just look at the obvious with KRG? Though, he is joint 3rd fav for the Champion Hurdle, joint shortest price of the Mullins trained for the Arkle (With Hes On Fire & Narciso Has) and Fav for the BANC. What is the obvious as the betting sure doesn't help in that respect?

Interested in other peoples thoughts on the 'Turners 6'.

I also really struggle to see Act Of Innocence as a BANC horse. As you say he had the slowest final furlong of the first 12 in the Turners and certainly visually didn't look like he wanted any further. In addition, he had had a ground saving ride around the inside and Hendo is on record of saying that he initially thought AOI was the speedier of the two (AOI and OPS). From a breeding perspective he hardly screams 3m chaser. His sire, My Dream Boat was best on the flat at 10f and his best progeny over jumps (such as they are) have all been better at shorter distances and not really been campaigned over longer trips. (see 1st table below). AOI's dam never run on a racecourse but her half siblings (2nd table) were again better over shorter. The dam's full brother Katachenko did record his joint best RPR over 3m1f but this was his only attempt at a distance more than 21.5f and he didn't seem to get home. Even AOI's damsire, Kutub, does not impart stamina. His best progeny are also best at shorter distances (see third table).

If AOI and OPS both go chasing then it is possible that AOI is campaigned over further but he hardly looks tailor made for the BANC to me. Personally I would keep one back over hurdles (probably the one who didn't school so well). If they do both go chasing I think AOI might end up in the hcap (though he wouldn't want to be any higher than his hurdles mark).

Horse	Dam Sire	Best RPR	Best Dist.	Runs	16-18f	19-21f	22-24f	24.5f+
Aeros Luck	Broadway Flyer	130​	16f	29​	24​	5​	0​	0​
Itsalladream	Mr Greeley	127​	19f	17​	11​	4​	2​	0​
Dream Shadow	Supreme Leader	120​	21f	10​	5​	4​	0​	1​
Has Me Dreaming	Waky Nao	111​	16f	2​	2​	0​	0​	0​
Jentobello	Flemensfirth	109​	20f	6​	3​	3​	0​	0​
Carsons Dreamboat	Flemensfirth	108​	16f	2​	1​	1​	0​	0​
Pollyannas Dream	Saint Des Saints	103​	15f	5​	4​	1​	0​	0​
Ennell Shadow	Supreme Leader	102​	22f	5​	1​	1​	2​	1​
Sir Gauzy	Scorpion	101​	21f	2​	0​	2​	0​	0​

Horse	Dam Sire	Best RPR	Best Dist.	Runs	16-18f	19-21f	22-24f	24.5f+
Katachenko	Kutub	139​	16f / 25f	29​	13​	15​	0​	1​
Mill House Girl	Basanta	132​	16f	30​	23​	6​	0​	1​
Buchail Dubh	Basanta	125​	19f	7​	5​	2​	0​	0​
Miss Acorn	Basanta	98​	16f	3​	3​	0​	0​	0​
Karalee Girl	Leading Counsel	88​	16f	22​	7​	8​	4​	4​
Santalee	Basanta	88​	16f	3​	1​	2​	0​	0​

Horse	Dam Sire	Best RPR	Best Dist.	Runs	16-18f	19-21f	22-24f	24.5f+
Notus De La Tour	Akarad	150​	20f	23​	12​	11​	0​	0​
Most Peculiar	Epervier Bleu	140​	18f	8​	6​	2​	0​	0​
Katachencko	Arokar	139​	16f / 25f	29​	13​	15​	0​	1​
The Last But One	Jurado	136​	20f	20​	4​	13​	2​	1​
Laser Light	Monashee Mountain	134​	21f / 24f	6​	1​	4​	1​	0​
Miss Dinamic	Phardante	131​	16f / 20f	20​	15​	5​	0​	0​
Catwalk King	Un Desperdado	130​	16f	8​	3​	4​	1​	0​
Whitsundays	Old Vic	126​	17f	20​	7​	12​	0​	1​
Bringerofthedawn	Scenic	124​	21f	9​	3​	4​	2​	0​
Bright Prospect	Satco	123​	20f	25​	6​	13​	4​	2​
Terre Du Vent	Kaldoun	122​	16f	6​	5​	1​	0​	0​

 

[Lobos]

Heartwood had a very strong season and absolutely bolted up in the Ryanair. Just looked at the odds and he's 14/1 to follow up. That just seems too big a price to me.

 

[BigChaang]

Heartwood had a very strong season and absolutely bolted up in the Ryanair. Just looked at the odds and he's 14/1 to follow up. That just seems too big a price to me.

Heartwood was a big winner for me this year , but I do seem to remember Henry de Bromhead talking about stepping up in trip , maybe going for Gold Cup.
I think he's going to be one of a few horses , that could end up in the Ryanair or the G.C.
Kitzbuhel , The Jukebox Man being another 2 that spring to mind ..

 

[Danman]

Heartwood was a big winner for me this year , but I do seem to remember Henry de Bromhead talking about stepping up in trip , maybe going for Gold Cup.
I think he's going to be one of a few horses , that could end up in the Ryanair or the G.C.
Kitzbuhel , The Jukebox Man being another 2 that spring to mind ..

Yeah, i think the ryanair looks a bit of a minefield, at the moment. Lulamba another one who could go there, il Etait Temps was another who I've seen people mention could go out in trip, don't think he will personally though.

 

[Benjy23]

Yeah, i think the ryanair looks a bit of a minefield, at the moment. Lulamba another one who could go there, il Etait Temps was another who I've seen people mention could go out in trip, don't think he will personally though.

Think you'd need Kopek to face him and beat him pre festival for IET to go out in trip. Alternatively Kopek may consider it. But that doesn't suit me currently...

I'd be most interested in Jukebox if anyone wanted to go NRNB though

 

[Runragged]

In general I would have no problem gambling on a Ryanair horse, as a single. However, sticking it in a yankee and we are wrong and it is over half the bet down. We are potentially gambling anyway on who goes where from the Turners, so with that being the case then I would be thinking of something more solid with regard their destination. Obviously that is easier said than done and even the most solid of selections can easily go tits up with a bad run or injury.

Looking at what other options we have. Feel Gut isn't in any multiples and appeals as a type of cheat code considering he is a 2nd season novice who has a win to his name, for a top trainer and owner and the Supreme is already mentioned with the Supreme the long term target. Yes, 12/1 may appear short considering how little we know about who the opposition will be, but equally his win is working out alright and will surely be mapped out to preserve a good campaign heading towards the Festival. I also don't think the standard of Bumper horses this year has been that good and so 2nd season novices, French recruits and good flat recruits may end up being the places to look for the top talents in the novice division. Given a cautious campaign he could be going in on the back of a further two or three wins. He's the type that, approaching Cheltenham, you are thinking "Why on earth don't we have him in any multiples as it was so obvious?"

If we want to talk about the Ryanair then I am a big fan of Grey Dawning, who has the right profile of a horse who can jump and travel. Looks like the Gold Cup is off the table now after seemingly failing to stay last season before he then went and beat the current Ryanair champion at Aintree over 2 1/2m. I suspect he will be given a light winter campaign with the intention of targeting the Spring Festivals whilst his last 11 runs over fences has seen him record an RPR of at least 160, barring the King George when he belted the 1st and was never travelling after. Not short of class either having run to a 170-171 RPR on 3 occasions, 170 being the mark given to Heart Wood in winning the Ryanair. Price wise, we are looking at around the 8/1 - 10/1 mark depending on where you bet. He does give the angle in to the race without having so many questions to answer. Always wary of 2nd season novices in the Ryanair from an ante post perspective as firstly you don't know how well they will train on (normally looking at a stone + improvement) but also, no one targets the race, they want a Gold Cup or Champion Chase winner. Take last years race, there was just one horse of the 7 that was in their 2nd year chasing, Impaire Et Passe and that is largely down to Mullins having an embarrassment of riches. More often than not a trainer would rather give their horse a go in one of the Championship races first before winding up at a later season in the Ryanair.

In the Mares Hurdle are we missing the obvious with Place De La Nation? Beat the Mares Hurdle 1-2 at Punchestown despite being a novice (a second season one at that). Yes, was only 4 runners and a end of season race, but she is pretty consistent, improving and has already hit a mark that is often needed to win this race, barring a superstar such as Lossiemouth. I like Wodhooh but there is still the potential she goes up in trip whilst Jade De Grugy could return chasing. The Mares Hurdle department is pretty weak if you take out Lossiemouth (Champion Hurdle) and Brighterdaysahead (Expected to be going Chasing).

Just a few more to throw into the mix for consideration that we don't have covered yet.

 

[knockando]

Top post. I must admit, having captained last month’s Yankee, I read your Feel Gut section and wondered why I didn’t apply the same logic.

I just struck out all novices so didn’t even think about it, but as you say - if (clearly a big if) but it’s a solid campaign and he rocks up 6/4 fav on the day and then goes and wins it we’ll be absolutely kicking ourselves, especially given the bumper crop being relatively weak in comparison with prior seasons

 

[Eggs]

….if he’s around, worth asking @darlojim thoughts on Feel Gut (finished behind Macho Man in France) and maybe a more general view of the novice markets. I have a feeling he likes another of Henderson’s recruits but has only given a few cryptic clues

That race in France was over 2m 1f and Feel Gut stayed on from back of the leading group doing all his best work at the end. I understand he’s 12-1 Sup but 33-1 Turners with cash-out is tempting to get in the book as a single.

 

[darlojim]

….if he’s around, worth asking @darlojim thoughts on Feel Gut (finished behind Macho Man in France) and maybe a more general view of the novice markets. I have a feeling he likes another of Henderson’s recruits but has only given a few cryptic clues

That race in France was over 2m 1f and Feel Gut stayed on from back of the leading group doing all his best work at the end. I understand he’s 12-1 Sup but 33-1 Turners with cash-out is tempting to get in the book as a single.

It's unusual that we have a good number of horses that will likely be aiming for graded honours in novice hurdles this upcoming season:

Feel Gut 12/1
Planters Punch 25/1
Moulins Rouge 25/1
Runciman 25/1
Down Jones Road 33/1
Roccontier 33/1

On Feel Gut, I was of the opinion that the Kildare form wouldn't work out last season, but up to now with Forty Fifty and Macho Man showing up reasonably well end of last season maybe it will be OK. But he's priced like he's shown up hugely in grade 1s already at what is now 12/1 and if you're not on now, I couldn't possibly entertain them sort of odds without seeing him against better opposition. Yes he has a lovely profile, right trainer/owner etc. but we've also seen plenty bomb out in the past several years.

Planters Punch and Roccontier both winners of those Junior NH novice hurdles also so retain novice status. Roccontier to me looks the better prospect of the 2 but again Im not jumping around about him at the odds.

Moulins Rouge made his debut last Autumn in Auteuil in the Prix Isopani, a race that is renowned to FR trainers sending some of their more talented prospects to (most notably Lulamba winning it recently) and he made a quiet enough this day. The overall form of that race ain't bad, Willie bought one from it (4th) but has yet to be seen since, Dan has the 2nd whos won few low key races over here, Milleetunevictoire has won various steeplechases since in FR without being a top notcher. Moulins Rouge then went on to be 2nd @ Auteuil which is when I had him noted as a FR horse to follow with a very eyecatching run over 2m1 1/2 @ Auteuil making up unsurmountable ground late on. His 3rd start for Anne-Sophie Pacault then resulted in a 6 1/2 win in the Prix Et Voto where I thought he was hugely impressive on soft enough ground (4.6) beating the highly regarded Mariachi, Darby O'gill. He showed significant improvement from run to run and travelled very sweetly throughout giving me the impression he'd no issue with either the 2m or 2m4 trip having tanked to join Darby O'gill going to the last down the back. He excites me ALOT having been snapped up by De la Hey for Hendo and looks the type that was just brought along slowly with each run.

Runciman next. Few people will have cottoned on to the cryptic emojis' no doubt I was given this horse to follow maybe in the week leading up to Cheltenham after being sent a video of him working alongside Cheltenham runners where he went very nicely. He looks a nice prospect for Ronnie Bartlett but was told he would likely be out end of last season for a bumper so whether injury/given time I'm not sure atm. Again, price wise though, he represents zero value for me now @ 25/1 best still unraced ffs.

Down Jones Road is a horse from the Point scene - looks exciting from the debut win but there will be much more informed people on here to talk about that one than me.

Taking pricing into consideration, I'd probably be most keen on Moulins Rouge at the minute. I think he could end up top notch.

 

[Eggs]

….much appreciated @darlojim, terrific insight as usual. Down Jones Road PTP video is impressive and Moulins Rouge odds certainly had a severe haircut after you highlighted him.

 

[darlojim]

….much appreciated @darlojim, terrific insight as usual. Down Jones Road PTP video is impressive and Moulins Rouge odds certainly had a severe haircut after you highlighted him.

Yeah was 50s when I'd backed him, managed to boost to 60s so sat nicely with him. He might be worth getting priced by 365 see if they better the current odds offered, I can barely get them to price anything for me nowadays unfortunately.

Trouble when a chelt horse is added to the market this time of year though, any sort of influx of money on a selection in a short period of time will cause a decent chop i feel.