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2024 Novice Chasers

This is why I think Willie may chuck Facile Vega or Fact To File in the race too. Would he rely on Gaelic Warrior at Cheltenham? I can't imagine so. If either of the other two turn up I think they could give Gaelic a real run for his money. I'd be more favourable of Facile Vega being the one, just because I can't see the logic of turning up against Marine Nationale again, and if he's beat by that one at the DRF then there really is no point, so a re-route to the Turners would be logical.

I'm probably in the minority that thinks they'll stick to 2 miles with Facile Vega. It wasn't the trip that beat him over Christmas - he wouldn't have won over any distance.

He's a much better horse on soft ground and the chances of Facile Vega getting soft ground at the festival is probably at it's greatest on day 1, imo.
 
The problem with that bet is he could blow that mark if they intend to run in the next couple of weeks.

Double him with the race this weekend. I have backed Kilbeg King for the Ultima as he fits the profile of a well handicapped British Novice which has a good record in the race. However, the horse has no affinity with Cheltenham, no course form, so it wouldn't surprise me if he targeted one of these races instead. The yard is in good form and won the Veteran Chase last weekend with Sam Brown. Just do a double on Kilbeg King to win whatever it is declared for, into Hermes Allen for whichever race you prefer, if not both if doing with William Hill.

My concern with Kilbeg King is he may be better right handed. His top 3 RPRs have all come on right handed tracks and though he is entered at Ascot this weekend, that is dropping back to 2m 5f, whether that is enough of a test is the question as he was staying on fine at Kempton over 3m and won over just shy of 3m at Punchestown over hurdles.
 
I'm probably in the minority that thinks they'll stick to 2 miles with Facile Vega. It wasn't the trip that beat him over Christmas - he wouldn't have won over any distance.

He's a much better horse on soft ground and the chances of Facile Vega getting soft ground at the festival is probably at it's greatest on day 1, imo.

Yeah, I mean, I'm of the opposite opinion that he just needs further. It may be they stick down the 2m route, and get done by Marine Nationale again, that's up to them, but IF he's beat at the DRF by MN I just can't see why they'd stick at 2m.
 
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Anyone that rates Hermes Allen must also consider Kilbeg King a handicap 'good thing' off a mark of 142 having finished just 3 1/2 lengths behind him. He has a couple of entries this weekend in handicaps including the Peter Marsh, plus an entry in the Great Yorkshire Handicap the following weekend, suggesting he is fit and ready to race soon. Well worth a double up into Hermes Allen when he does run as a related bet.

The thing I would say here is that Hermes Allen was ridden to win the race whereas Kilbeg King wasn't. Hermes was trying to go with Il Est Francais at a speed which was probably 1mph too quick for him which is why I was so surprised he actually saw out his race and didn't fall in a heap. Pure conjecture on my part, but I'd suggest that if Il Est Francais wasn't in the race, Hermes Allen would've made all setting his own fractions, but at a slower pace, and would've won by a significantly greater distance than 3 1/2 lengths.
 
The thing I would say here is that Hermes Allen was ridden to win the race whereas Kilbeg King wasn't. Hermes was trying to go with Il Est Francais at a speed which was probably 1mph too quick for him which is why I was so surprised he actually saw out his race and didn't fall in a heap. Pure conjecture on my part, but I'd suggest that if Il Est Francais wasn't in the race, Hermes Allen would've made all setting his own fractions, but at a slower pace, and would've won by a significantly greater distance than 3 1/2 lengths.

Absolutely agree with that
Could not be put any better imo
 
26 in the National Hunt Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
Bowtogreatness
Brave Kingdom
Broadway Boy
Chianti Classico
Conkwell Legend
Cool Survivor
Corbetts Cross
Daily Present
Embassy Gardens
Favori de Champdou
Firm Footings
Flooring Porter
Grand Soir
Grangeclare West
Henry's Friend
Kilbeg King
Landrake
Meetingofthewaters
Minella Cocooner
Mister Coffey
Mr Vango
Nick Rockett
Salvador Ziggy
Stay Away Fay
Three Card Brag
Apple Away
 
24 in the Arkle at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
American Mike
Authorised Speed
Blood Destiny
Captain Conby
Colonel Harry
Djelo
Doctor Bravo
Facile Vega
Found A Fifty
Gaelic Warrior
Hunters Yarn
Il Etait Temps
Iroko
JPR One
Marine Nationale
Master Chewy
Matata
My Mate Mozzie
Quilixios
Sa Fureur
Senecia
Sharjah
Uncle Phil
Zanahiyr
 
Will be glad for the day I can stop scrolling my accounts and having to look at I Am Maximus (NHC) and Mister Plod (Arkle) slips :excitement: Good to see Salvador Ziggy is still on the scene though.
 
Will be glad for the day I can stop scrolling my accounts and having to look at I Am Maximus (NHC) and Mister Plod (Arkle) slips :excitement: Good to see Salvador Ziggy is still on the scene though.

Ziggy would still be my number 1 fancy for the race.
 
….i thought Iroko was OFTS, seeing a couple of entries.
 
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Miraculous recovery. He's back !!
 
Flooring Porter only in the NHC not the BANC.
 
Good news for backers of MINELLA COCOONER in the National Hunt Chase - he's entered in a beginners' chase over three miles at Navan on Saturday.
 
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Does anyone think JP will buy meetingofthewaters prior to chelt so he runs NHC and mark protected for a National run?

This may then leave Jp’s runners

Iroko - Arkle

Corbett - Turners

FTF - RSA
 
Flat out with work, anyone able to put a short layman's brief on any obvious omissions or surprise entries for the novice chasers pretty please???
 
Flat out with work, anyone able to put a short layman's brief on any obvious omissions or surprise entries for the novice chasers pretty please???

My biggest takeaway was a single entry in the BANC for Montys Pass. No doubt around his target and available at 20/1.