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2026 Novice Chasers

Fair to say Jimmy Du Seuil did not enjoy jumping out of that ground. Barely got up on many of them.

Not giving up on him but had a thought this may suit FD and even Gold Dancer more.

Still not sure they Willie even bothered sending Willie to the race. They can probably get a price on him now I guess!
Restraining him so as to not give final demand too hard a time, as opposed to just riding him prominently like his debut probably didn't help either.

These are farcical races really and it's hard to read too much into them as they dont resemble Cheltenham races in any way. The fact everything was made as easy as possible for final demand and he still didn't blow anyone away might not be the best sign. But he might end up better in a proper race.
 
Topped up on Jimmy for small money straight after the race at 36s on BFX

Can firmly write that run straight off, and I've no question in my mind he would have finished infront of Gold Dancer, which makes him value.
Think I’d be wanting cash out if backing JDS. Decisions to be made with him and Cheltenham imo
 
Think I’d be wanting cash out if backing JDS. Decisions to be made with him and Cheltenham imo

I'd be strongly of the opinion he'll be on the boat if A1. It was only a small bet but one that would be 25pts overpriced I'd say if he lines up on the day as a festival winner.
 
Final Demand is by far my biggest BANC winner but I wasn't impressed today. Just my opinion, but I'm not sure he had that much left at the finish. I was expecting him to really power away but he had to be asked to maintain his gallop. Gold Dancer in second was beaten by Romeo in a much easier fashion and this won't have gone unnoticed by Gordon so I'm really worried Romeo might be BANC bound as I don't have him covered.
Jimmy's run was too bad to be true and he didn't jump well and was beaten way too far out. Definitely strike a line through this performance and I would be taking the 25s available if I wasn't already on. I really think something isn't right at Willie's yard. There are too many odd/poor performances imo.
I actually cashed Kitzbhuel out before he ran in the Kauto as had FD, Jimmy and Predators Gold ahead of him and still do. Thomas Mor coming a close second doesn't make the form strong imo and I think Wendigo would reverse the form at Cheltenham if they were both to run. May also be a coincidence but Kitz has won 4 and been placed in 5 runs on right handed tracks and finished unplaced in 1 race on a left handed track when favourite
 
it can be hard to look impressive at Limerick, and seemed pretty deep there. Agree FD did not look mega impressive, but got it done.
 
couldve won by much further if patrick had wanted surely

Wasnt much point in winning by 30 lengths
Couldn’t agree more, people can crab his price, no problem with that but his jumping was spot on again apart from getting in tight think to the last.

Gold dancer came upsides coming round the bend and he just brushed him aside with ease imo. He was probably ridden briefly after the last because he made a slight error.
 
….away from the main BANC race, Koktail Divin won well over 2m 5f at Leop. Performance a little under the radar and might not have had much competition but won well enough.

Maybe another in BANC picture.
A Handicappers treasure trove that race.
I'd be wary of the form of the winner as loads were not put in the race.
 
Think I’d be wanting cash out if backing JDS. Decisions to be made with him and Cheltenham imo
Ran too bad to be true today. Never going. Has won on Heavy before so can't use that as an excuse. Possibly an issue Id say.
 
couldve won by much further if patrick had wanted surely

Wasnt much point in winning by 30 lengths
Spot on. This is not March. He looks an absolute beast. Proper old fashioned staying chaser.
 
Ran too bad to be true today. Never going. Has won on Heavy before so can't use that as an excuse. Possibly an issue Id say.
Jumped poorly all day then made a big error that put him a long way behind.

I think he’ll go to the festival as he has that all important form.
 
Jumped poorly all day then made a big error that put him a long way behind.

I think he’ll go to the festival as he has that all important form.
His next run will be important. If he makes those mistakes again, id say he'll be stayers hurdle bound, with ballyburn disappointing, and jimmy beating impose toi in the Coral Cup. He'll be ridden prominently again though next time you'd imagine which could help, unless he's up against final demand again in which case there could be more messing.
 
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Final Demand is by far my biggest BANC winner but I wasn't impressed today. Just my opinion, but I'm not sure he had that much left at the finish. I was expecting him to really power away but he had to be asked to maintain his gallop. Gold Dancer in second was beaten by Romeo in a much easier fashion and this won't have gone unnoticed by Gordon so I'm really worried Romeo might be BANC bound as I don't have him covered.
Jimmy's run was too bad to be true and he didn't jump well and was beaten way too far out. Definitely strike a line through this performance and I would be taking the 25s available if I wasn't already on. I really think something isn't right at Willie's yard. There are too many odd/poor performances imo.
I actually cashed Kitzbhuel out before he ran in the Kauto as had FD, Jimmy and Predators Gold ahead of him and still do. Thomas Mor coming a close second doesn't make the form strong imo and I think Wendigo would reverse the form at Cheltenham if they were both to run. May also be a coincidence but Kitz has won 4 and been placed in 5 runs on right handed tracks and finished unplaced in 1 race on a left handed track when favourite
So basically you are ignoring what we saw in the races this Xmas involving Kitz and JDS?
That’s your choice of course if that’s the case.
I suppose I could do sort of similar as I have Kitz at much bigger prices and don’t have JDS at all.
Have to think about this.

Agree re Romeo.
Looking forward to his next race as GE said he’s stepping him up and today will have done that no harm imo.
 
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Seeing Affordale Fury win puts Western Fold back in the forefront of my mind for the BANC.

Given a 160 RPR for beating Affordale back in October and didn’t disgrace himself, gaining valuable experience, a month later in Grade 1 open company at Down Royal (just behind Affordale and ahead of Found A Fifty).

Wouldn’t be the first time Gordon has put a staying chaser away for the festival (Galvin).

Would seem to want better ground but currently 33/1 is a nice price.