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2022 Novice Chase Division

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I've backed ferny for the champion hurdle but to give Honeysuckle seven pounds in the champion hurdle he will need to be a serious horse, hopefully he is but only used free bets on him. Roll on March !
 
I've backed ferny for the champion hurdle but to give Honeysuckle seven pounds in the champion hurdle he will need to be a serious horse, hopefully he is but only used free bets on him. Roll on March !

Any horse to give a mare weight who can run to low 160s has to run a monster 170 as a minimum to win , we are talking a Faugheen type horse (Prime Buveur thou i'm not sure he would of in hindsight)weigh that up before hoping an exciting novice can emulate great horses of the sport. Obvs it's all price dependent but that's the measure of the task for any gelding for the foreseeable.
 
I've backed ferny for the champion hurdle but to give Honeysuckle seven pounds in the champion hurdle he will need to be a serious horse, hopefully he is but only used free bets on him. Roll on March !

To give Honeysuckle 7lbs he'll need to be a wonder horse ! I think every other trainer must be hoping she doesn't turn up in the same form again. If she does then there's only one result.
 
To give Honeysuckle 7lbs he'll need to be a wonder horse ! I think every other trainer must be hoping she doesn't turn up in the same form again. If she does then there's only one result.

That's why I've only used free money on him, i backed Honeysuckle straight after she won this year, even though i don't like backing a 3/1 shot twelve months out but if she gets there fit and well that will look a huge price.
 
Any horse to give a mare weight who can run to low 160s has to run a monster 170 as a minimum to win , we are talking a Faugheen type horse (Prime Buveur thou i'm not sure he would of in hindsight)weigh that up before hoping an exciting novice can emulate great horses of the sport. Obvs it's all price dependent but that's the measure of the task for any gelding for the foreseeable.

Will be interesting to see if echoes in rain is good enough for a champion hurdle bid, another mare may be the only one who could beat her, could concertista be another possible runner ?
 
At this time of year I think it wise to focus on your own horse and what plans you have for them for the season.

Whether another horse is fit, well and declared to run next March shouldn't be a primary consideration.

Willie would probably be putting three in against Honey in the Hatton Grace, and the Irish Champion Hurdle at the DRF (her two targets) to test her out - and crucially will have a free hit at the

* 2M Grade 1 Morgiana in November, and
* the 2M Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown - both with no Honeysuckle.

Add in the
* English Grade 1 Fighting Fifth and
* Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle and
* the well-funded Grade 2 International Hurdle,

and there's plenty to aim at for Willie's Champion Hurdle types, before March, and then beyond.

He won't put a horse into novice chasing for the lack of chances in 2M Graded Hurdles
.
 
Caught a video from Peter Fahey where he says Belfast Banter won't be hanging around over hurdles and that he'll jump a fence. Was obviously very progressive last season so another to add to the Novice Chase mix. Any thoughts ??
 
Caught a video from Peter Fahey where he says Belfast Banter won't be hanging around over hurdles and that he'll jump a fence. Was obviously very progressive last season so another to add to the Novice Chase mix. Any thoughts ??

Id say he won one of the worst grade 1s ever run at Aintree
 
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Id say he won one of the worst grade 1s ever run at Aintree

....and the ultra competitive County Hurdle plus a good 2nd behind many people's champion hurdle fancy Echoes In Rain ?
 
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....and the ultra competitive County Hurdle plus a good 2nd behind many people's champion hurdle fancy Echoes In Rain ?

He won the county off 129

I really can't see him being a factor in the arkle personally

Not even close
 
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To think I backed dusart for the arkle before that race haha

He looked a lot lot slower than I'd hoped

I've not given up on him yet. Green as grass that day and Henderson is a genius with his 2 mile chasers.
 
I might be way off with this but I really like Gentleman De Mee especially if he goes chasing. To my eye he jumped his hurdles like a chaser a bit big so should improve for a fence. Was way too keen to do himself justice in the martin pipe were he tired to finish 10th. But he was clearly well thought of as he went off favourite for the race. His final start last season he got loose beforehand then totally missed the break yet still looked the winner turning in before tiring into 7th. I really think there's a massive engine in the horse and he could be anything. I accept he could be held back for a big pot in a handicap hurdle but think his future lies over 2 miles over fences and he could be anything. I requested a price last week and Hills offered 33s for the Arkle and 12s any race.
 
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I might be way off with this but I really like Gentleman De Mee especially if he goes chasing. To my eye he jumped his hurdles like a chaser a bit big so should improve for a fence. Was way too keen to do himself justice in the martin pipe were he tired to finish 10th. But he was clearly well thought of as he went off favourite for the race. His final start last season he got loose beforehand then totally missed the break yet still looked the winner turning in before tiring into 7th. I really think there's a massive engine in the horse and he could be anything. I accept he could be held back for a big pot in a handicap hurdle but think his future lies over 2 miles over fences and he could be anything. I requested a price last week and Hills offered 33s for the Arkle and 12s any race.

I'd be surprised if he went for a graded chase by Cheltenham, but agree with your sentiments about his engine and assuming he can jump would be very happy to back him in a handicap chase. Problem with my theory would be Willie rarely gets a winner of either plate or grand annual.. if ever!
 
I'd be surprised if he went for a graded chase by Cheltenham, but agree with your sentiments about his engine and assuming he can jump would be very happy to back him in a handicap chase. Problem with my theory would be Willie rarely gets a winner of either plate or grand annual.. if ever!

He usually has zero plans to run Novice Chasers in those races.

Check out the WILLIE MULLINS Diary in the MEMBERS DIARIES Section for all you need to know about handicap chases at the Festival and the type of horse Willie runs in them.
 
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Think you are on the right track with Gentleman De Mee. He's been really well backed all 3 races for Mullins and been highly tried so he must be showing him lots at home. He was originally pencilled in for the Ballymore but went for the handicap due to his lenient rating. He's certainly one worth tracking to see where he's entered up (As per Saxon). Then you can pounce.
 
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