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2026 Novice Chasers

Aye Warwick and Newbury the week after if he was close to making the DRF, another week could be fine.
 
Johnoman66 said:
Any suitable prep race for Kopek if he misses DRF?
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There really isn't much on either side of the water.

In Ireland the only novice chases over 2-2.5m in Feb that I am aware of is the Flying Bolt (Grade 3) at Navan on Feb 28th. This will only be 10 days before the Arkle though. The only other real option in Ireland is the Red Mills Chase over 2m 4f at Gowran on Feb 14th - over the intermediate trip and a non novice event but usually a small field (3 runners last year) often made up of runners from Willie's yard.

In the UK the obvious ones are the Kingmaker at Warwick and the Game Sprit at Newbury the week after DRF. Question mark here would be if he is not ready for DRF would one more week be sufficient. He would also possibly bump into Lulamba at Newbury. After this there is the Pendil at Kempton on Feb 21although this is over 2m 4.5f. The only other possible novice chase I can find in Feb is a class 3 at Bangor on Feb 25 that was won last year by Casa No Mento. I am unsure of the complete conditions of this race to know whether he would be eligible and it is only 13 days before the Arkle

Based on this I would think that it is more than likely if he makes the Arkle then he will be going there with only one chase behind him.
 
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Not sure travelling twice across the Irish sea in 7 weeks would be considered good for his prep if I'm honest, but I guess nothings off the table if he does need a run, but it'd take a bit out of him forsure.
Of course a while to go before those options need to be thought of.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
Not sure travelling twice across the Irish sea in 7 weeks would be considered good for his prep if I'm honest, but I guess nothings off the table if he does need a run, but it'd take a bit out of him forsure.
Of course a while to go before those options need to be thought of.
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Agree with this. Choices would probably be i) kingmaker/game spirit and travel to uk twice, ii) Flying bolt and only a 10 day turnaround and iii) go there without a run. If he was ready to run then I would be inclined to do option i) but if not I'd probably just go straight there.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
Not sure travelling twice across the Irish sea in 7 weeks would be considered good for his prep if I'm honest, but I guess nothings off the table if he does need a run, but it'd take a bit out of him forsure.
Of course a while to go before those options need to be thought of.
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Don't some do this every year for Cheltenham and Aintree at a much shorter turnaround. Lossiemouth last year for example.

I still think he'll run in Irish Arkle though.
 
Kingmaker is the obvious one with Lulamba favouring the Game Spirit. However, as said it is quite a short turnaround especially considering it would be more a prep run and future race plans this season to consider also.
 
The one race i cant get my nogging around is The National Hunt Chase. I've nothing back in the race,Cant remember reading whats meant to be heading here and just stare at the page of horses names with a price next to them. Any one wanna kick my ass into a direction of something?
 
somer1 said:
The one race i cant get my nogging around is The National Hunt Chase. I've nothing back in the race,Cant remember reading whats meant to be heading here and just stare at the page of horses names with a price next to them. Any one wanna kick my ass into a direction of something?
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I've barely touched the handicaps barring a few nibbles. Nothing either yet in the NH Chase. Problem is the change in race conditions has thrown the race into confusion for me with no trends to go on either. The question for me is whether it will be more like the Ultima, dominated by British horses of late and one the Irish don't take too seriously. Or more the Kim Muir in which the Irish seem to plot up several each year. Judging on just last years race then it didn't seem the Irish took it too seriously. 8 of the 18 runners did come from across the water but only one started at a single figure price (Now Is The Hour 6/1, who is still a maiden and still eligible for the race this year depending on how he gets on tomorrow. Similar could be said of Will Do (12/1) who was 3rd in the NH Chase but has yet to lose his maiden tag and due to run in the Thyestes) and 5 began at 33/1 or bigger.

Personally I was all over Transmission and Resplendent Grey for the race last year and though they both ran well they were never able to get into it. It is probably obvious but think we are looking for something that can jump well and travel on the pace and hope they see the trip out.
 
Guinness Village said:
I’ve not even looked at this race yet. I’ll wait for enhanced place terms and /or nrnb🤞🤞
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We may have to re evaluate our thinking around what offers and terms bookmakers normally offer and timing thereof, as clearly something smells different this season
 
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Wayward Lad said:
We may have to re evaluate our thinking around what offers and terms bookmakers normally offer and timing thereof, as clearly something smells different this season
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See General Chat.
 
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I'd wait till you see him in the parade ring at Leopardstown,if he gets there & passes the eye test have a go, if he's a no show his price will only go one direction.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
I'd wait till you see him in the parade ring at Leopardstown,if he gets there & passes the eye test have a go, if he's a no show his price will only go one direction.
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I know mate. I’m already well invested, so can’t be going back to the well just yet. Hate the market wobbles and uncertainty in silly season!
 
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