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2026 Novice Chasers

Carnage at Taunton said:
I would be taking more notice of yourself !
But then I’m a bit untrusting of comments at times!!
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Got them both covered for the Arkle carnage so i just want a close finish, preferably with Romeo just nosing ahead to send him to the Arkle. Don't have him covered for the BANC

I don't bet on the DRF (maybe handicaps) as great as the racing is, it isn't really punter friendly but watch it with a view to the Cheltenham bets. I find i more exciting wanting my horses to do well with a view to March rather than me parting with any cash.
 
Yosser said:
Got them both covered for the Arkle carnage so i just want a close finish, preferably with Romeo just nosing ahead to send him to the Arkle. Don't have him covered for the BANC

I don't bet on the DRF (maybe handicaps) as great as the racing is, it isn't really punter friendly but watch it with a view to the Cheltenham bets. I find i more exciting wanting my horses to do well with a view to March rather than me parting with any cash.
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I’m exactly the same with the DRF, enjoy the racing, a few wtaf bets I may have though, but generally watch and see how my horses for March get on.

As for the Arkle, have Romeo covered but not Kargese, may take a look at options for getting her on side, not sure.
Also have Romeo for BANC and a slight financial preference for that race.
Been saying all along I think he’s more of a stayer than 2miler, but if connections go Arkle then fair enough, and if he does go Arkle he will certainly be finishing strong up the hill!!
Good luck mate.
 
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I agree with Ruby's mate, Romeo Coolio is probably not as good as that.
I've backed for arkle a few weeks back but he's just not that good IMO
 
Lobos said:
Davy Russell reckons Romeo is a GC horse going forward but that the Arkle is the right race for him this season.
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He'll do well to get within 5 lengths of them in a decent ground Arkle imo.

The owners clearly want to run at Cheltenham this year but I'd be tempted just to mop up the middle distance races at all the other festivals if he was mine.
 
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Faugheen_Machine said:
He'll do well to get within 5 lengths of them in a decent ground Arkle imo.

The owners clearly want to run at Cheltenham this year but I'd be tempted just to mop up the middle distance races at all the other festivals if he was mine.
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Yeah, I'm not sure he thinks he'll win it, just the right race at this stage of his career.
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
He'll do well to get within 5 lengths of them in a decent ground Arkle imo.

The owners clearly want to run at Cheltenham this year but I'd be tempted just to mop up the middle distance races at all the other festivals if he was mine.
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See absolutely nowt wrong with trying to see how he copes with 2 and 3m.
If he ends up inbetween so be it, but try first imo.
No one knows what the ground will be in March, keep all options open makes sense for a horse that could go down or up in distance depending.
 
Will Kutzbuhel and Kala Conti have Jockey changes today??
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
He'll do well to get within 5 lengths of them in a decent ground Arkle imo.

The owners clearly want to run at Cheltenham this year but I'd be tempted just to mop up the middle distance races at all the other festivals if he was mine.
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It's the Cheltenham obsession isn't it? Perfect 2 1/2m grade 1 novice chase today for Romeo but instead they opt for 2m as that's the Cheltenham distance. Kala Conti could just as well gone 2m instead and then still had the Mares Chase for the Festival.
 
Runragged said:
It's the Cheltenham obsession isn't it? Perfect 2 1/2m grade 1 novice chase today for Romeo but instead they opt for 2m as that's the Cheltenham distance. Kala Conti could just as well gone 2m instead and then still had the Mares Chase for the Festival.
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150 grand race the Irish Arkle
 
I think the whole trip thing is an obsession that has been made worse by the introduction of grade 1s over the intermediate trip. In the old days you went Arkle or RSA Chase, job done. Plenty of stayers have won the Arkle - My Way De Solzen and Tidal Bay just 2 that spring to mind (I thought Kicking King had too but he was 2nd to Well Chief). If he were mine I'd definitely be aiming Romeo Coolio at the Arkle. You can't run scared of 1 or 2 horses, especially not as a novice. He may be just short of top class over 2 miles but you've got to be in it to win it. I'd certainly think about either having him make it at a good lick (his jumping will be an asset there) or put in a pacemaker. He won't want a dawdle then sprint finish.
 
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Odddog said:
I think the whole trip thing is an obsession that has been made worse by the introduction of grade 1s over the intermediate trip. In the old days you went Arkle or RSA Chase, job done. Plenty of stayers have won the Arkle - My Way De Solzen and Tidal Bay just 2 that spring to mind (I thought Kicking King had too but he was 2nd to Well Chief). If he were mine I'd definitely be aiming Romeo Coolio at the Arkle. You can't run scared of 1 or 2 horses, especially not as a novice. He may be just short of top class over 2 miles but you've got to be in it to win it. I'd certainly think about either having him make it at a good lick (his jumping will be an asset there) or put in a pacemaker. He won't want a dawdle then sprint finish.
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It think he's more out of the War of Attrition mould. A stayer that they are going to chance over 2 mile, but the improvement will come next season when stepped up in trip.

Nothing wrong with that, it's just not the road I'd go down with him.

Like you say, his best chance would be to force the pace and put the others jumping under pressure.
 
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The scilly isles is a proper head scratcher for me, so watching brief. Will be exciting to see who prevails, though I do think sixmilebridge is being overlooked somewhat.
 
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