2026 Novice Chasers

[Yosser]

Plenty of blue around for Kopek Des Bordes

 

[riccirich]

Irish panther is a bit of a mongrel in a finish, always has been

Only way i could see him winning is if something fell and left him free and clear

I thought he was a lot worse in a finish over hurdles. Was actually surprised he stayed on well enough against romeo. I'd still agree I'd want him ahead going over the last. Anything upsides him and he'd be outbattled I think.

 

[Quevega]

Plenty of blue around for Kopek Des Bordes

I'd imagine he's entered in Dublin.
Think they publish entries on Thursday.

 

[EnvoiAlien]

Plenty of blue around for Kopek Des Bordes

He was weak over Christmas on the exchanges, not for large amounts but was some laying off happening, since the weekend his price has been tightening up, I'd guess his knee was checked over and all is good or he did some work and came through it sound so all systems are go again for him.

 

[Kauto’s star]

Kitz jumped lovely at Kempton but he beat horses who (with the exception of Wendigo who hated the track in my opinion) are at least 10lb below winning grade ones, even in novice company. I also can't shake his two spring runs last season out my mind - I wasn't that taken with him.

Yeah it was lovely to watch, but agree on what the form will amount to. Hadn’t crossed my mind on his prior spring runs. Good point.

 

[Ellisgittings]

Did you not like his performance at Punch? Where he beat two subsequent winners well.

Always hard to read into beginners chases / novice hurdles in Ireland as most are off. Kaid is a nice horse but Kitz was definitely suited by the shorter trip more than he was. And the next race that Gordy's won was very weak.

He's a nice horse, I just don't particularly value his form that highly to be honest and if pressed I'd say he'll fall short in the spring.

 

[Ellisgittings]

I’d say he’s improved greatly for a fence! If you’re making a book and discount a horse that was beaten 1/2L by the third fav pulling well clear of the field. In a race that will cut up you’re asking for trouble. I don’t think Irish panther will win but I’d want him onside nevertheless

It might cut up but Lulamba, Kopek and Kargese all will turn up here if fit, they'll have no other target. To be honest, I think this is where Romeo is most likely to run as well.

It could be a decent bet if he's 10/1 on day with 2 places, but he could also be at least 25/1 on the day with 3 places still available. I don't particularly fill my book with horses that I don't think will prove a good bet on the day so I'd be happy to swerve tbh. If 3 of the above 4 turn up, I don't think IP gets within 20 lengths of them.

Only my opinion of course and plenty see it as a good bet I'm sure, not for me though.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Always hard to read into beginners chases / novice hurdles in Ireland as most are off. Kaid is a nice horse but Kitz was definitely suited by the shorter trip more than he was. And the next race that Gordy's won was very weak.

He's a nice horse, I just don't particularly value his form that highly to be honest and if pressed I'd say he'll fall short in the spring.

Ok, cheers for answering.
I have been very impressed with him so far,especially his jumping.
If he gets the chance to repeat that at the festival I would expect a big run.
We shall see.
Incidentally I think Kaid is a lively one at the prices for the BANC.

 

[Ellisgittings]

Ok, cheers for answering.
I have been very impressed with him so far,especially his jumping.
If he gets the chance to repeat that at the festival I would expect a big run.
We shall see.
Incidentally I think Kaid is a lively one at the prices for the BANC.

He jumped lovely at Kempton yeah. Think at a track like that, against inferior horses, he was able to bully them. No matter what happens in spring, I expect they'll love a go at the KG round there next year, if it's not shut by then.

Kaid nice too but not sure he's quite top class either. Would be one for a handicap if he wasn't with Willie imo

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

He jumped lovely at Kempton yeah. Think at a track like that, against inferior horses, he was able to bully them. No matter what happens in spring, I expect they'll love a go at the KG round there next year, if it's not shut by then.

Kaid nice too but not sure he's quite top class either. Would be one for a handicap if he wasn't with Willie imo

That’s the thing with these Nov chasers , split opinion cos few runs and the fact they are novices!!
At this stage I guess they all have to prove their class.
Wish you luck with your bets,we all could do with some of that

 

[Craigy14]

Good to know that Derryhassen Paddy’s awful jumping performance was caused by a small fracture. Hopefully makes a full recovery!

Certainly one to look forward to next season. Just wonder if he proves to be a bit of a monster over fences how high they might aim as he would be an 8 year old novice at the festival.

 

[Wayward Lad]

Good to know that Derryhassen Paddy’s awful jumping performance was caused by a small fracture. Hopefully makes a full recovery!

Certainly one to look forward to next season. Just wonder if he proves to be a bit of a monster over fences how high they might aim as he would be an 8 year old novice at the festival.

Small fracture eh…….as you say good to know that there was an issue with him… as his performance was so different from what I was expecting, post his previous seasons hurdling exploits and that he looked like he was made for fencing (big olde unit!)

Based upon his Bartlett performance and those around him (TBW and Wendigo) then the expectation wasn’t unreasonable.

Whilst I normally believe they rarely come back to the same level when returning from injury, then he is one I hope I am proved wrong next season !

 

[archie]

Of course, it's possible that the 'awful jumping performance' caused the fracture.

 

[Quevega]

Of course, it's possible that the 'awful jumping performance' caused the fracture.

I’d definitely break a leg jumping a fence.
Once did an ankle after Donny races when I left a leg in between the railing of a dual carriageway thinking I was some sort of parkour expert after 10 pints

 

[Craigy14]

Of course, it's possible that the 'awful jumping performance' caused the fracture.

There is always that. I’m going to go with the injury causing it until further evidence

 

[Joeski29]

Simon Munirs response on X when asked about Readin Tommy Wrong

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008898442416767298

 

[Eggs]

….Final Demand;

You can’t go there confident, but I think our fella is yet to run his best race this season and I don’t think he’s been fully fit in either of his outings,” said Drew, who owns Final Demand alongside good friend and long-time racing associate Professor Caroline Tisdall.

“Looking at the entries, you’ve got to have huge respect for some of the possible opposition like Romeo Coolio and Kitzbuhel.

“Jimmy Du Seuil didn’t like the ground much at Limerick and he is much better than he showed us then and there will be others in there as well to watch for.

“It was a funny race on sticky sort of ground at Limerick and he just did what was required. We’ll probably go there as favourite and probably rightly so, it looks a tremendous race and I can’t wait to be there.”

Such is Final Demand’s potential, Drew admits to having felt the weight of expectation ahead of his festive outing, where he added his name to the Faugheen Novice Chase roll of honour with a facile eight-length success which still had some wishing for more.

“We went to Limerick with a little trepidation, albeit being 1-3 favourite. I always felt that was too short and we were worried about Jimmy Du Seuil, who never ran his race as it turned out,” added Drew.

“If you wanted to be picky, you could say the other two in the race got a bit too close to him, but then he’s had an off-day and still won with his head in his chest really, which is the sign of a classy horse.

“In the end it was a nice day out and the horse won well despite probably not running his best race.”

It was a victory which strengthened Final Demand’s position at the head of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase market as the general even-money favourite.

Next on the list for that Cheltenham Festival event is possible Leopardstown rival Romeo Coolio, who has also secured top-level this success over fences this term and could meet Final Demand at what is his optimum trip on February 1.

“It will be interesting if Romeo Coolio does line-up as it seems they can’t make their mind up about trip and opportunities and with a horse like him, it does feel a shame there is no longer the Grade One two-and-a-half-mile chase for novices at the Festival, but then you can’t please everyone.

“They seem to be in a similar situation we found ourselves in last season when we had to decide whether to run in the Turners or Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, but it will be interesting to see them go head-to-head at Leopardstown.”

 

[Yosser]

Has Jack Kennedy ever ridden a Willie Mullins horse at Cheltenham?

I have been mulling this one for a while and have just jumped in on Predators Gold for the BANC. If he wins at Punchestown on Sunday he could head straight there and Elliott doesn't seem to have a horse for this. Certainly not a Gigginstown horse anyway. Just thought it was worth the punt whilst his price is still nice enough at 20s

 

[Exar Essay]

Has Jack Kennedy ever ridden a Willie Mullins horse at Cheltenham?

I have been mulling this one for a while and have just jumped in on Predators Gold for the BANC. If he wins at Punchestown on Sunday he could head straight there and Elliott doesn't seem to have a horse for this. Certainly not a Gigginstown horse anyway. Just thought it was worth the punt whilst his price is still nice enough at 20s

Elliott has one of the better value ones in the race in my view. Ran within a length and a half of the Savills winner. I’d be amazed if Wetsern Fold didn’t run well here. The the potential for Romero run here too.

 

[Quevega]

Elliott has one of the better value ones in the race in my view. Ran within a length and a half of the Savills winner. I’d be amazed if Wetsern Fold didn’t run well here. The the potential for Romero run here too.

yeah, his entry for dublin is a positive sign that they are looking at bringing him back in spring