2026 Champion Chase

[Istabraq]

Just back Lulamba at 33's

Why so confident ?
Couldn’t win a bang average Triumph and was more than put in his place in the Arkle, I’m struggling to see how he turns form on the Mullins team.
33/1 might be an interesting each way angle in a race that cuts up but for me he’s not winning…

 

[Lobos]

Why so confident ?
Couldn’t win a bang average Triumph and was more than put in his place in the Arkle, I’m struggling to see how he turns form on the Mullins team.
33/1 might be an interesting each way angle in a race that cuts up but for me he’s not winning…

Could have won had he not made that howler which was every bit as bad as Kopeks race ending mistake. Kopek 4/1 Lulamba 33/1. Loads of talk about stepping him up but let's see where he starts out and how he does. Can't see another Hendo runner likely to go for the 2m crown and the Ryanair could turn out to be very hot again. Soft ground Festival would be essential though. He'll only be 6 as well so maybe Ryanair and Gold Cup beyond him next year ? Jango won an Arkle didn't he ?Owners have Kitzbuhel who looks all over. Ryanair type to me. I'm happy to risk Nicky having a change of heart. After all, it doesn't happen that much.......

Apart from the above , I can't think of any other reasons to back him.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Could have won had he not made that howler which was every bit as bad as Kopeks race ending mistake. Kopek 4/1 Lulamba 33/1. Loads of talk about stepping him up but let's see where he starts out and how he does. Can't see another Hendo runner likely to go for the 2m crown and the Ryanair could turn out to be very hot again. Soft ground Festival would be essential though. He'll only be 6 as well so maybe Ryanair and Gold Cup beyond him next year ? Jango won an Arkle didn't he ?Owners have Kitzbuhel who looks all over. Ryanair type to me. I'm happy to risk Nicky having a change of heart. After all, it doesn't happen that much.......

Apart from the above , I can't think of any other reasons to back him.

The way Kitz won the BANC showed me he’s no issue going gold cup trip.
Lulamba is clearly a stayer rather than a 2miler from what I’ve seen.

 

[BuckingThe Trend]

Could have won had he not made that howler which was every bit as bad as Kopeks race ending mistake. Kopek 4/1 Lulamba 33/1. Loads of talk about stepping him up but let's see where he starts out and how he does. Can't see another Hendo runner likely to go for the 2m crown and the Ryanair could turn out to be very hot again. Soft ground Festival would be essential though. He'll only be 6 as well so maybe Ryanair and Gold Cup beyond him next year ? Jango won an Arkle didn't he ?Owners have Kitzbuhel who looks all over. Ryanair type to me. I'm happy to risk Nicky having a change of heart. After all, it doesn't happen that much.......

Apart from the above , I can't think of any other reasons to back him.

It's a fair case you make especially the Kitzbuhel same ownership point and him being trained by Mullins who will have Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File (?) and Final Demand for the Gold Cup so Kitzbuhel to Ryanair becomes a real possibility. And taking in to consideration Henderson has nothing else for the QMCC or Ryanair then Lulamba 33/1 QMCC versus Lulamba 15/2 Ryanair is starting to look a fair punt for us AntePost fans. Double him up with @Istabraqs Detroit Lions Roll Up thinking and we've got a 62.56/1 on a horse who will only be 6 so plenty of room for improvement to come. We just need Nicky to get the logic !!!!

 

[Wayward Lad]

Do you think Il Etait Temps could be stepped up to Ryanair ? I took a punt on him at 33/1 a few weeks back simply because of the point you make about how does Mullins separate them. I'd say Majborough will step up on the assumption he gets 2m4 which is yet to be tested. Things seem to happen a bit too quickly for him over 2m on The Old Course and he may be more suited to 2m4 on the more galloping The New Course. Both Kargese and KDB look most likely to stay at 2m for 2027. Kargese never been further than 2m so surely they will not be tempted to go Mares with Kargese !!!!!

After his sublime win this year I don’t see Willie not letting IET defend his crown

However I also don’t see either Kargese or KDB step up further than 2m !

Majborough will surely be tried over further than 2m during the season in order to test the water

 

[Killiney]

Maybe after recent experiences Majb. Won’t even go to Cheltenham.

 

[Benjy23]

Maybe after recent experiences Majb. Won’t even go to Cheltenham.

Champion Hurdle

 

[Benjy23]

After his sublime win this year I don’t see Willie not letting IET defend his crown

However I also don’t see either Kargese or KDB step up further than 2m !

Majborough will surely be tried over further than 2m during the season in order to test the water

Depends what happens beforehand doesn't it. If Kopek was to beat Il Etait Temps over 2 miles at DRF for example then there would have to be every chance the latter would step up in trip. You'd imagine Townend could want to ride both as well... It's a double I've played. Along with too many more.

 

[Danman]

Mullins bingo in full effect !

 

[Istabraq]

Depends what happens beforehand doesn't it.

100%.
If State Man had been fit Lossie would probably have gone nowhere near a Champion Hurdle, if Galopin Des Champs had stayed fit the chances are Gaelic Warrior would have been nowhere near a Gold Cup.
All plans are fluid until decs.
It's one of the benefits of having such a deep squad, your subs are just as good....

 

[Lobos]

It's a fair case you make especially the Kitzbuhel same ownership point and him being trained by Mullins who will have Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File (?) and Final Demand for the Gold Cup so Kitzbuhel to Ryanair becomes a real possibility. And taking in to consideration Henderson has nothing else for the QMCC or Ryanair then Lulamba 33/1 QMCC versus Lulamba 15/2 Ryanair is starting to look a fair punt for us AntePost fans. Double him up with @Istabraqs Detroit Lions Roll Up thinking and we've got a 62.56/1 on a horse who will only be 6 so plenty of room for improvement to come. We just need Nicky to get the logic !!!!

You have to remember as well that Lulamba is easily the best 2m English chaser and could clear up all the top Graded chases this side of the water that Nicky wants over the minimum trip. Would he turn down that opportunity?

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

You have to remember as well that Lulamba is easily the best 2m English chaser and could clear up all the top Graded chases this side of the water that Nicky wants over the minimum trip. Would he turn down that opportunity?

I like the angle but just don't think he'll be quick enough to win a Champion Chase.

Also, Mullins will most likely bring horses over for the 2 mile races next season given the ammo he's got, so Lulamba probably won't even be favourite in those races.