2026 Novice Chasers

[Quevega]

Fucking thank fuck for twitter

 

[Joeski29]

Thank fuck for Jake Price

 

[EnvoiAlien]

Something factually correct,posted on twitter,in 2026....how unusual.

 

[Eggs]

….The Big Westerner;

We’re probably leaning towards the novice I’d say but it’s nice to have options (currently entered in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase). We’ll see what way the ground is and what the opposition is like but I suppose ultimately you have to think for your horse.

“She was good at Fairyhouse. She ran really well, just Jimmy Du Seuil looked really good that day. Obviously he’s disappointed a bit since then but he jumped and did everything right that day and she ran really well and they were miles clear of the third.

“Then I thought she looked really good at Limerick and came right out of Mikey’s (O’Connor, jockey) hands a few times. She’s been really good.

“Hopefully she can go right to the top. She probably has a preference for softer ground would be the only thing, but we could still get that in plenty of places and she ran really well at Cheltenham last year on better ground. Whether it just cost her jumping the last I’m not sure.

“She seems to have the class to go any trip. She’s probably two and a half (miles) plus. She stayed definitely in the Albert Bartlett last year so I think three miles would be ideal for her.”

 

[Hurricane fly]

I've never been overly worried about her going to the Mares, but always nice to have some positive comments around the BANC.

 

[Exar Essay]

Soldier In Milan is a horse who I’ve been thinking might be being given the Inothewayurthinkin build up to the festival.

Has never run over hurdles and then bombed out on chase debut. But was still given a BANC entry. Ran well NTO without setting the world alight when half a length fourth to C’est Ta Chance in a King George-esque finish. The form would be nowhere near that required, but I do wonder if he’s being brought on slowly with one day in mind. It’s Emmet after all.

The form of his sole bumper win is working out nicely. He beat King Rasko Grey easily who was just touched off in the Grade 1 at the DRF. Cathchintsavo looks useful having recorded his maiden hurdle win at Ludlow last time out. Riskaway and Conman John were in 4th and 5th and look above average hurdlers. Espresso Milan was 7th and won the O’Grady Memorial race. Sticktotheplan was 8th and won the Persian War.

He could be being plotted for a handicap. But Emmet likes to aim big and the timing of the BANC entry, after PU on debut, piqued my interest.

In what’s looking a more open race, I wonder if he might be a long shot worth having on side. It’s a wild swing … but hopefully not without some merit. 150/1 is worth a dabble to me.

He's been declared over 2m6f this weekend so is very, very unlikely to qualify for the NHC. It makes the possibilities the BANC or Jack Richards, realistically. I think he's a real stayer and think he might be beaten by a quicker sort over the Jack Richards trip so am more keen on him for the BANC. At 100/1 NRNB I think it's a cracking bet.

 

[Killiney]

He's been declared over 2m6f this weekend so is very, very unlikely to qualify for the NHC. It makes the possibilities the BANC or Jack Richards, realistically. I think he's a real stayer and think he might be beaten by a quicker sort over the Jack Richards trip so am more keen on him for the BANC. At 100/1 NRNB I think it's a cracking bet.

I cashed out for the NH Ch because he is not as yet qualified and this week ends race will not qualify and leaves him short of time. In fact I think they have been battling against time all season with him. I think it led to them skipping his hurdling career. Not sure the BANC is right race for him though! Hope I’m wrong.

 

[Lobos]

I reckon Gordon will get his way....

"Fairyhouse is probably the place to run Romeo. The Arkle could be the place to run him but Jack might have a different opinion.

It’s a nice problem to have, my own gut is that he’s not a real two-miler. The owners are from the UK and I understand completely they want to go to Cheltenham.

If he was mine and it was left to me, I’d go to Fairyhouse."

 

[The hill]

I reckon Gordon will get his way....

"Fairyhouse is probably the place to run Romeo. The Arkle could be the place to run him but Jack might have a different opinion.

It’s a nice problem to have, my own gut is that he’s not a real two-miler. The owners are from the UK and I understand completely they want to go to Cheltenham.

If he was mine and it was left to me, I’d go to Fairyhouse."

I'm not to sure the owner was on Nick Luck saying its all about Cheltenham,

 

[Lobos]

I'm not to sure the owner was on Nick Luck saying its all about Cheltenham,

Maybe but when the trainer is telling them he's unlikely to win and that he'd have a big chance of winning at Fairyhouse, then they should really be listening. They should be thinking of the horse too.

 

[riccirich]

Maybe but when the trainer is telling them he's unlikely to win and that he'd have a big chance of winning at Fairyhouse, then they should really be listening. They should be thinking of the horse too.

Gordon has known all along that the owners want to go to Cheltenham more than anything. He could have thought of the horse too, and not ran him at the drf if he's that worried about him having a hard season.

 

[Lobos]

Gordon has known all along that the owners want to go to Cheltenham more than anything. He could have thought of the horse too, and not ran him at the drf if he's that worried about him having a hard season.

Not about him having a hard season it's about going to the race he is most suited to and has the best chance of winning. I'd say he ran in the 2m race at DRF to prove that he's not an out and out 2 miler and that's exactly what we saw. Jango obviously won last season picking up the pieces but can lightening strike twice?......

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Maybe but when the trainer is telling them he's unlikely to win and that he'd have a big chance of winning at Fairyhouse, then they should really be listening. They should be thinking of the horse too.

They can listen,then they can decide what they want.
If they want to go to Cheltenham with their horse, then do that imo.
It’s hardly going to harm him, whatever they do.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Not about him having a hard season it's about going to the race he is most suited to and has the best chance of winning. I'd say he ran in the 2m race at DRF to prove that he's not an out and out 2 miler and that's exactly what we saw. Jango obviously won last season picking up the pieces but can lightening strike twice?......

Nowt to do with the trainer and the championship?
Hope not.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Not about him having a hard season it's about going to the race he is most suited to and has the best chance of winning. I'd say he ran in the 2m race at DRF to prove that he's not an out and out 2 miler and that's exactly what we saw. Jango obviously won last season picking up the pieces but can lightening strike twice?......

 

[Lobos]

They can listen,then they can decide what they want.
If they want to go to Cheltenham with their horse, then do that imo.
It’s hardly going to harm him, whatever they do.

Might not hurt him but could well mess the rest of his chances in the other Spring festivals by having a harder race than he should. Agree it's the owners decision but in his case it's very clear to everyone that he's not suited to 2 miles at the top level.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Might not hurt him but could well mess the rest of his chances in the other Spring festivals by having a harder race than he should. Agree it's the owners decision but in his case it's very clear to everyone that he's not suited to 2 miles at the top level.

Yep, so let the owners decide if they feel that strongly about Cheltenham.

 

[Killiney]

Yep, so let the owners decide if they feel that strongly about Cheltenham.

I think they live in the UK so presumably keen to see him at ‘home’.

 

[Quevega]

Might not hurt him but could well mess the rest of his chances in the other Spring festivals by having a harder race than he should. Agree it's the owners decision but in his case it's very clear to everyone that he's not suited to 2 miles at the top level.

He has won 2 grade ones at 2 miles though.
No other novice has.
Hard to say he's proven he's not suited to 2 miles at the top level really.
The talk and manner of his victories give doubts, but the results are there.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

If they look at the race they will see the fav that looks like he would be better over further (imo) and the next in the odds having had 1 run and a dodgy prep.
Then it’s their horse and the one he’s just beaten.
Absolutely go for it if you want lads.