2026 Novice Chasers

[riccirich]

I don't see Romeo Coolio going to the BANC personally. If he doesn't go to the Arkle, i don't think he goes to Cheltenham.

Owners have made it very clear he's definitely going to Cheltenham. I dont know them though, they could be filthy liars.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Maybe someone can give me some reasoning why a horse that’s won impressively twice over 2 and a half m, should not run in the BANC, when it’s been proved that horses have won the race without previously running over 3m.
It’s baffling me to be honest.

 

[Guinness Village]

I feel that the grade 1 over 2 m ish that Romeo has just won, will turn out to be a hot race. I think the runner up has got a proper chance in the arkle, and July flower is no slouch and she was kicked into touch by the pair of them. Just being pedantic, but most of the BANC winners not running over 3 miles pre festival, tried 2m 51/2f.
I think that Gordon has painted himself into a corner. If he thought Romeo was a stayer, he would have run him in the faugheen. And/or run him in the longer race at the DRF. I also think that jack Kennedy comments are more revealing and that Gordon’s comments were on the spur of the moment and perhaps taken out of context. I believe that the feeling is that the old turners would’ve been ideal, but as that no longer exists, an arkle on soft ground will do just fine. Might just go to aintree if ground deemed to quick

 

[Ellisgittings]

Can't see any way that won't remain to be honest... (Assuming it's true)

Lhomme Presse & Fact to File didn't go over 3 miles prior either.
Not sure about many before Champ (can't be arsed to look) but Cooldine never went over fences over 3 mile either.
So a Bollocks of a stat all round.

I worded it poorly tbf - just meant it used to be more of a grinders race but over recent years horses have won it stepping up in trip.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

I feel that the grade 1 over 2 m ish that Romeo has just won, will turn out to be a hot race. I think the runner up has got a proper chance in the arkle, and July flower is no slouch and she was kicked into touch by the pair of them. Just being pedantic, but most of the BANC winners not running over 3 miles pre festival, tried 2m 51/2f.
I think that Gordon has painted himself into a corner. If he thought Romeo was a stayer, he would have run him in the faugheen. And/or run him in the longer race at the DRF. I also think that jack Kennedy comments are more revealing and that Gordon’s comments were on the spur of the moment and perhaps taken out of context. I believe that the feeling is that the old turners would’ve been ideal, but as that no longer exists, an arkle on soft ground will do just fine. Might just go to aintree if ground deemed to quick

Well I think GE is spot on and he has run him over two and a half twice.
He said he’s not a 2 miler and I think it’s clear he ain’t after watching his last race.
Agree he probably should have not gone back to 2m at Xmas, but imo he can still go BANC and imo run a big race.
His form stacks up with the current fav for the race.

To add……I do agree that the old Turners would have been ideal, and Aintree is a possibility.
Just to me watching him in his races, if they want to go to Cheltenham, then the BANC should be his target, and he would certainly make the race more fascinating

 

[Ellisgittings]

Doesn't matter too much what he's just done at Christmas, they won so you can't say they didn't make the right call! But if he went straight to Chelt against Lulamba and Kopek over 2m, or Final Demand over 3m, I know I'd give him more chance of winning the latter. Obviously plenty of water under the bridge in terms of NRs before then however

 

[jrjr]

PP/Sky have taken an opinion on Romeo 12/1 Arkle and 7/1 BANC.

I get the ‘stepping horses up in trip during the season and peaking at 3m in the BANC’ philosophy but would have thought this plan suited horses thought of as stayers in the longer term (F2F for example). Romeo doesn’t fit this category of horse and I can’t see him outstaying a proper 3 miler up the Cheltenham hill.

IMO, day one, soft, safe, ground, he’ll run (and place) in the Arkle.

 

[Quevega]

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www.sportscasting.com

Gordons comments on Romeo were Bollocks IMO.

"He'd be shocked if he ran in an arkle - unless it's soft".

As the article above details.
It's been on the soft side and worse every year for the last 10 years apart from once or twice. And we all know that they tend to report the ground to be better than it is, especially going off the stick readings.
It'll be the first race on fresh ground with lush watered grass at worst.

So do you run him in a 2 mile race that's historically known to favour great jumpers with stamina on day one (on softish ground), or try him over three miles on soft ground against strong staying types ?

He's talking out of his arse.
If it does come up a very dry version of Good to soft and a dry forecast though then I could see the BANC being favourite, especially if both races look equally competitive.

 

[Durham Edition]

Anyone worried about the Racing Club tweeting a poll around which race would you like Wendigo to go at the festival? Options are Ultima, Browns and NHC, being a share owner this is the first time I've heard anyother race than the Browns being mentioned.

 

[Ellisgittings]

Anyone worried about the Racing Club tweeting a poll around which race would you like Wendigo to go at the festival? Options are Ultima, Browns and NHC, being a share owner this is the first time I've heard anyother race than the Browns being mentioned.

Only chance he wins anything at a festival is if he goes down the handicap route imo. If they could get him down a couple of LB and into a National Hunt Chase especially

 

[Yosser]

Only chance he wins anything at a festival is if he goes down the handicap route imo. If they could get him down a couple of LB and into a National Hunt Chase especially

He looks tailor made for the NHC to be honest if he isn't carrying a burden weight but so do many other horses being quietly campaigned. With the BANC and track layout it isn't beyond the realms he could improve a bundle again. You have to be in it to win it and anything can happen during the race.

 

[Quevega]

He looks tailor made for the NHC to be honest if he isn't carrying a burden weight but so do many other horses being quietly campaigned. With the BANC and track layout it isn't beyond the realms he could improve a bundle again. You have to be in it to win it and anything can happen during the race.

He's not getting in that race though is he ??.
I doubt that even a tailed off run on his next race would get him down 2lbs.
Unless they run him out the back multiple times before March.

They'd be mad to not go for the Browns IMO as he was clearly one of those horses that did not take to Kempton. He was out of rhythm and once that happens at Kempton you can look pedestrian going down the back when something at the front is pinging them and meeting them perfectly. It is no where near the same at Cheltenham.

The massive credit he has is how much he stayed on when they turned in, and he was clawing back all the way up the straight.
Don Cossack is the best example of this, but there are many more over the years.

But it's their horse and they can do what they want.

I'd imagine a fair bit of money is already down amongst the members though so common sense should see the day in the end.
I certainly would not be running scared of Final Demand, he's rightfully favourite but not bulletproof by any means.

I would back him in the Ultima off a mark of 147 though

 

[Yosser]

Yeah i am in full agreement. He will improve for the extra stamina test in the BANC. I have backed him for it and want him there.

 

[Durham Edition]

I agree softer ground and the uphill finish will certainly play into his hands and went back in at 40/1 ew after Kempton. Last update mentions a potential run at Ayr at the end of Jan and onto the Browns so maybe it's just nothing, but I watched similar with Apple Away a couple of yeara ago when they said Ultima and then went NHC.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Fwiw, I think the BANC will suit Wendigo, and would be surprised if he weren’t being aimed there.

 

[Lobos]

Wendigo is 12/1 in Hills TWAR market if that helps.


I've taken the 10/1 TWAR price about his Worcester conqueror Wade Out as connections have name checked the NHC for him. Reckon he'll go off close to fav for the race if he lines up.

 

[Runragged]

I agree softer ground and the uphill finish will certainly play into his hands and went back in at 40/1 ew after Kempton. Last update mentions a potential run at Ayr at the end of Jan and onto the Browns so maybe it's just nothing, but I watched similar with Apple Away a couple of yeara ago when they said Ultima and then went NHC.

Logical would be to go for Hampton or Reynoldstown, depending on how close to Cheltenham you want to race, and make a decision from that.

 

[Ellisgittings]

Yeah he won't get in the NHC, even if they tried - they'd have had to have been a bit more savvy with him from the start of the season. He's got a fair chance in the 3m race but I'd definitely be interested in him in an Ultima, that 147 mark would be perfect for it imo.

 

[Lobos]

Henderson said: “Lulamba could run tomorrow he’s that fresh. He does need to run again and it will be Warwick or Newbury, but the Kingmaker looks the obvious one for him.

 

[Guinness Village]

Well I think GE is spot on and he has run him over two and a half twice.
He said he’s not a 2 miler and I think it’s clear he ain’t after watching his last race.
Agree he probably should have not gone back to 2m at Xmas, but imo he can still go BANC and imo run a big race.
His form stacks up with the current fav for the race.

To add……I do agree that the old Turners would have been ideal, and Aintree is a possibility.
Just to me watching him in his races, if they want to go to Cheltenham, then the BANC should be his target, and he would certainly make the race more fascinating

I love Romeo, and would like him to pop up in either race at Cheltenham. He’s done me each way favours in bumper and supreme, and I can’t see him not being placed wherever he runs.