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2026 Novice Chasers

Darragh O’Keeffe was fairly giddy about The Big Westerner on RTC today.

No wonder she got a good clipping across the board again today.

Selfishly hoping they bypass the DRF despite the ground likely being in her favour. She’ll serve it up best to the boys coming in fresh.
If the ground is soft, she's got a right chance
 
Wendigo heading to Ayr for a class 3 leg stretch on 29th Jan, presumably the timing was the key as he's likely to be far too good for anything in the race...
 
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Wendigo heading to Ayr for a class 3 leg stretch on 29th Jan, presumably the timing was the key as he's likely to be far too good for anything in the race...
That’ll suit him much more than kempton and a warm up for the big one
 
Everyone is fairly clear that left handed on softer ground is much more suitable than Kempton. The run there was creditable and his current BANC price is fair enough.
 
Argento Boy goes favourite for the NH chase after winning that.
Understandable given the record Mullins has in that race.
I've not backed though as there is a reasonable risk he gets too high a mark IMO
I doubt it but the handicapper could also refuse to rate him.
 
He won't be far off will he. Beaten a couple of high 130s horses into 2nd and 3rd there. With tax to be added...

They'll probably want him to scrape in mind.
 
Argento Boy goes favourite for the NH chase after winning that.
Understandable given the record Mullins has in that race.
I've not backed though as there is a reasonable risk he gets too high a mark IMO
I doubt it but the handicapper could also refuse to rate him.

I know he's only beat mostly mid 130 horses but been doing it well enough.

Definitely on the cusp as to whether he gets in or not. I reckon low to mid 140's just in Ireland.
 
He won't be far off will he. Beaten a couple of high 130s horses into 2nd and 3rd there. With tax to be added...
Yeah, it'll be a close call I reckon.
Irish capper likely to go soft, but we'll see.
If they rate it around The enabler and allow for the heavy ground I reckon he might get 5 or 6 off the Irish and the runner up 2 or 3.
But who knows.
 
Argento Boy goes favourite for the NH chase after winning that.
Understandable given the record Mullins has in that race.
I've not backed though as there is a reasonable risk he gets too high a mark IMO
I doubt it but the handicapper could also refuse to rate him.
Mullins doesn't win handicap chases at the Festival...
 
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Ya good few irish horses there that will be about 141+,
Argento boy
The Enabler
Bossofthebrownies
Flicker of hope
Kurasso Blue
Blaze the way

At this stage, i dont think any of them will have as much in hand, as Haiti colouers did last year.
 
Argento Boy is 40-1 from 66-1 from the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase with Paddy Power, who also make him an 8-1 shot from 12-1 for the National Hunt Chase.

“That was good, he kept galloping well. Paul said he enjoys those extreme distances and the ground wasn’t an issue,” Casey added.

“He said he travels better and attacks his fences better than he did hurdles.

“He’ll probably be entered in all the chases at Cheltenham and I said to Paul the Irish Grand National might be a race for him, but we’ll see.”
 
Argento Boy is 40-1 from 66-1 from the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase with Paddy Power, who also make him an 8-1 shot from 12-1 for the National Hunt Chase.

“That was good, he kept galloping well. Paul said he enjoys those extreme distances and the ground wasn’t an issue,” Casey added.

“He said he travels better and attacks his fences better than he did hurdles.

“He’ll probably be entered in all the chases at Cheltenham and I said to Paul the Irish Grand National might be a race for him, but we’ll see.”
Yeah, have to be a bit wary of backing for NHC and BANC to a certain extent with the Irish National lurking!! Especially without nrnb.
Cost me in the past at times
 
Possibly looking for better ground than theyre getting at home atm.
 
I know she's got an Albert Bartlett 2nd to her name but The Big Westerner being 2nd fav. is a bit baffling to me!

Beat by Jimmy Du Seuil on debut, then getting run close enough by Jade De Grugy on her second start.

Kitzbuhel
Western Fold
Wendigo
Koktail Divin

All with similar or better form to their name than her, no?

Also, if you can forgive Jimmy Du Seuil one bad run then also already has the beating of her.

All of which are behind her in the market.

Am I missing something?