2017 Arkle Trophy Chase

[Morning Glory]

If they switch it will only be because they think Min has a better chance than Yorkhill of winning the JLT. That seems very possible to me given Yorkhill performance at the weekend.

 

[Old Vic]

Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase
Grade One, £175,000 Total Prize Fund, Cheltenham, 2.10pm Tuesday, March 14, 2017, two miles (1m 7f 199y). For
novice 5-y-o & upwards rated 120 or more. Horses who are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain, Ireland or France
may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse
performances up to and including March 7 would merit a minimum rating of 120. Weights: 11st 4lb. Allowances: mares
7lb. Entries closed January 24, entries revealed January 26 (33 entries), scratchings’ deadline February 21, six-day
confirmation & £8,500 supplementary stage March 8, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 13.
Horse Age Owner Trainer
A HARE BREATH (IRE) 9 Mrs S N J Embiricos Ben Pauling
ALTIOR (IRE) 7 Patricia Pugh Nicky Henderson
AMERICAN TOM (FR) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
ATTRIBUTION 7 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE
BALL D'ARC (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
BELLSHILL (IRE) 7 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
BENIE DES DIEUX (FR) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
BLEU ET ROUGE (FR) 6 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE
BUVEUR D'AIR (FR) 6 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
CEPAGE (FR) 5 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams
CHARBEL (IRE) 6 Julie and David R Martin Kim Bailey
CLOUDY DREAM (IRE) 7 Trevor Hemmings Malcolm Jefferson
FLYING ANGEL (IRE) 6 R J Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies
FOREST BIHAN (FR) 6 P J Martin Brian Ellison
GINO TRAIL (IRE) 10 Jan Smith Kerry Lee
IDENTITY THIEF (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE
KNOCKGRAFFON (IRE) 7 Mrs Barbara Hester Dan Skelton
LE PREZIEN (FR) 6 J P McManus Paul Nicholls
LISTEN DEAR (IRE) 7 Supreme Horse Racing Club Willie Mullins IRE
MICK THONIC (FR) 7 Ann & Alan Potts Colin Tizzard
MIN (FR) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
ORDINARY WORLD (IRE) 7 Chris Jones Henry de Bromhead IRE
POLITOLOGUE (FR) 6 John Hales Paul Nicholls
ROYAL CAVIAR (IRE) 9 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
SOME PLAN (IRE) 9 Roger Brookhouse Henry de Bromhead IRE
STARCHITECT (IRE) 6 Paul & Clare Rooney David Pipe
THREE STARS (IRE) 7 Robert Finnegan Henry de Bromhead IRE
TOP NOTCH (FR) 6 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson
TULLY EAST (IRE) 7 Barry Connell Alan Fleming IRE
WAITING PATIENTLY (IRE) 6 Richard Collins Malcolm Jefferson
WAR SINGER (USA) 10 The War Cabinet Johnny Farrelly
WINNER MASSAGOT (FR) 6 Masterson Holdings Limited Alan King
YORKHILL (IRE) 7 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
33 entries
15 Irish-trained

 

[darlojim]

just seen that Min isnt entered in the Frank Ward on Sunday which is disappointing, hope all is well with the horse

 

[mayo]

Just 4 in it ...

Bleu Et Rouge (FR) John P. McManus W.P. Mullins Barry Geraghty 11,12
Identity Thief(150) Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead David Mullins 11,12
Royal Caviar Mrs S Ricci W.P. Mullins (H) 11,12
Some Plan(148) .S. Brookhouse Henry de Bromhead Davy Russell(T) 11,12

 

[SAMCRO]

just seen that Min isnt entered in the Frank Ward on Sunday which is disappointing, hope all is well with the horse

bang to the knee, had originally been declared this morning but Mullins withdrew him as a precaution. Hopes to get another run into him before festival.

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

Be interesting to see what happens with Min. I've heard it second hand, that is more serious than what has been announced. Could be doubtful for Cheltenham.

 

[ryanh97]

Be interesting to see what happens with Min. I've heard it second hand, that is more serious than what has been announced. Could be doubtful for Cheltenham.

How reliable the source?

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

The source i heard it from is very reliable - I can't comment on how reliable the rumour is though.

 

[ryanh97]

Im stuck into Yorkhill for the JLT, hoping this injury is just a blip for Min

 

[DeeBee]

Min has wobbled a bit and Yorkhill has shortened for this... i guess its fair to say if Min didnt make it we'd see Yorkhill emerge? Although that said what would Wylie prefer, the risk of finishing 2nd or a much better chance of winning the JLT? Theres also American Tom which if fit Ricci could still play in the Arkle although admittedly has very little chance of beating Altior

 

[Kevloaf]

I think even if Min didn't make it, Yorkhill isn't SURE to re-route to this race. The JLT is much more winnable and if they have any other horse that could go in to it they might just 'accept defeat'?

Maybe more hope than expectation ...

I hope Min doesn't come out of the race, and the drift may be justified because obviously it isn't ideal to miss a prep race no matter how 'minor' it is. I certainly would rather be in the Altior camp than me today... and now Min has to 'prove' he is back to his best if he does make another reapperance which has been mooted? (Anyone know where that would be?)

 

[KingSprinterSacre]

my guess would be the flyingbolt grade 3 at Navan. Its Mid Feb. Give them 3 weeks to get over this knock and sufficient time before Cheltenham

 

[Kevloaf]

my guess would be the flyingbolt grade 3 at Navan. Its Mid Feb. Give them 3 weeks to get over this knock and sufficient time before Cheltenham

:encouragement: Unlikely to encounter anything as "good" as Identity Thief so probably won't learn much.

I do hope Min makes it to the festival. Tuesday is the only day I am going and we need stories, clashes and rematches!

As important as Altior is to my festival, I'd rather have him beaten by Min than beaten by a 25/1 rag at odds on!

 

[Mon Brav]

If you watch the Racing UK's preview of the jump season, Ruby looks very confident that Min will turn the tables on Altior this year. I haven't seen anything to put anyone off Altior, but he looked ' very serious' when he said it and he is a bit non committal when he is usually asked. The owner was still very bullish on ATR today as well.

 

[Kevloaf]

If you watch the Racing UK's preview of the jump season, Ruby looks very confident that Min will turn the tables on Altior this year. I haven't seen anything to put anyone off Altior, but he looked ' very serious' when he said it and he is a bit non committal when he is usually asked. The owner was still very bullish on ATR today as well.

The RUK preview ... he is there to SELL the station and make it exciting.... every single interview I have seen with him where they ctalk about the rematch, Ruby says they got beaten by a better horse on the day. He has played Min down all season and the missing of the intended target of the Irish Arkle is a big negative .... Altior now 4/5 across the board and he deserves to be shorter.

He would absolute slam Yorkhill, Min, Buveur D'air ... anything that turns up, will be there at the last and a minimum of 5L behind at the line. Altior is absolutely different class.

 

[Old Vic]

I dont think this sounds great ....

Mullins added of Irish Arkle absentee Min, who was not declared for the race on Friday after a bang to his knee: "There is no update on Min. We will get the weekend out of the way first."

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

Ricci likened it to a sprained ankle or twisted knee. That in itself didn't fill me with confidence.

 

[jono]

Willie on Min today:

It was nothing serious and he was much better on Monday

Min drifted a fair bit on the exchanges today actually along with Altior shortening up. Probably nothing in it though slightly interesting that PP cut Altior again to 8/13 if you take into account their link with Ruby and the yard

 

[Kevloaf]

Kim Bailey still not decided where Charbel goes... Said next run will decide, Arkle, JLT or possibly a handicap! Horse has been coughing... happy now with him.

 

[jono]

Skybet 6/1 the forecast on Altior-Min

I have no idea how forecasts odds are worked out so couldn't say if this really is value but off the top of my head that sounds pretty decent? Certainly if anyone has missed the prices on Altior and fancy him to win...