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2026 Novice Chasers

He shows me a lot at home and putting cheekpieces on today has made a huge difference. It’s bringing out the sort of ability he shows me at home,” said winning trainer Willie Mullins.

“He's a horse who has always been disappointing to me on the racetrack but the cheekpieces have made a big difference, and Mark agreed.

“He said he only made one little mistake which was at the third last but he said he was otherwise foot perfect.”

When asked if he’d booked a ticket to the Brown Avvisory, the trainer added: “I’d imagine so.”

And in terms of Final Demand, Mullins added: “I was disappointed the way he jumped the second and third fences, and especially coming down the back the second time he missed the fifth last I think. When a horse does that in a race like this he has to improve quickly and he didn’t.

"He went and did the same at the next and to me that was not good enough. Paul (Townend) said he twisted a little bit in the air but I couldn’t see that. There might be some little niggle there that we’re not seeing but might see tomorrow morning."

When asked if he thought it might be ground-related, the trainer said: “I don’t but then you look at Christmas and he wasn’t overly impressive, maybe it is."
 
Thought western fold ran very well today on ground tha wouldn’t suit

I really like Kaid, and keen keeping an eye on him, I do have him down as a long distance, galloping track type of horse. I’d be little worry about him on the old course on better ground - he may just find that too tight for him

Instead, I thought western fold ran better than I thought and will appreciate much firmer ground come March
 
ComplyOrDie said:
I'm coming to the conclusion that Gordon will run Romeo in the Arkle, because he has Western Fold for the BANC.

Different owners, yes, but Gordon wouldn't want his two best novice chasers running in the same race and Western Fold looks a 3 miler, and in fairness has some serious form to his name! I've just gone in on him at 33/1.

I do wonder how the horses at the top end of the market for the BANC would be getting on against the likes of Affordale Fury & Envoi Allen!

I've also played the related double @ 305/1.
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This one may look tasty IF Romeo can do the business tomorrow. Mentioned this just now on the General thread.

Couldn't understand the price given form with Affordale Fury and Envoi Allen, levels above what we had seen from the other ones in the market.
 
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ComplyOrDie said:
This one may look tasty IF Romeo can do the business tomorrow. Mentioned this just now on the General thread.

Couldn't understand the price given form with Affordale Fury and Envoi Allen, levels above what we had seen from the other ones in the market.
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His run today also franks AF form for tomorrow
 
EnvoiAlien said:
Patrick didn't leave Jimmy alone for a minute, amazed the horse didn't put itself down sooner tbh, be looking to see if he gets a handicap entry.

Edit- all it wanted was to gallop with his head down but he wouldn't let him hold his head low cause he was worried about going over the top of him if it met one wrong, he's got hands like a hobbits foot.
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Yeah Jimmy was pissed off the whole race. Never going to get involved was he
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
Yep I’d say the first two are big players for sure in BANC

Now that would be good
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Appreciate kaid had a set back last year and went to the ballynore inexperienced but being pulled up concerns me. Can’t be backing kaid at 4s given last years form. At a bigger price, given what I’ve just watched, defo be tempted though
 
Kauto’s star said:
Appreciate kaid had a set back last year and went to the ballynore inexperienced but being pulled up concerns me. Can’t be backing kaid at 4s given last years form. At a bigger price, given what I’ve just watched, defo be tempted though
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I think the form he’s shown this season is more appropriate
Looks a proper BANC type to me.
The second as well be suited by a bit further and would not be a total shock if he reversed imo.
Still have Kaid as fav though.
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
I think the form he’s shown this season is more appropriate
Looks a proper BANC type to me.
The second as well be suited by a bit further and would not be a total shock if he reversed imo.
Still have Kaid as fav though.
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Totally agree on the improved form, but still too short for me. Other than last years form, I also have a massive gripe on the BANC runners who are 6 and French bred. The records are not great, so happy to see kaid win at the price.
 
Does PT pick Kitzbuhel over Final Demand ? His form is certainly standing up with Kaid, Salver and Wendigo going in. Assuming he's ok following his fall of course.
 
Lobos said:
Does PT pick Kitzbuhel over Final Demand ? His form is certainly standing up with Kaid, Salver and Wendigo going in. Assuming he's ok following his fall of course.
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Kitz was more of an ejection than a fall, hope he’ll be fine. Interesting thought, but the smile on Paul’s face after FDs debut was rare, not sure he’ll jump ship, especially after the unseat.
 
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Kauto’s star said:
Kitz was more of an ejection than a fall, hope he’ll be fine. Interesting thought, but the smile on Paul’s face after FDs debut was rare, not sure he’ll jump ship, especially after the unseat.
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He’s probably got a decision to make now after this weekend.
No rush, they can see how the horses are next few weeks.
 
Not sure Kitzbuhel did anything on Saturday that'd help his cause.

The fact Townend bothered coming over to rid Kitzbuhel after Leopardstown was called off on Saturday could be a bit of a suggestion he wasn't sure who was better though.
 
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‘Nicky Henderson will look to clinch a sixth William Hill Game Spirit Chase win at Newbury this weekend, with crack novice Lulamba in line for the Grade 2 event.‘
 
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Eggs said:
‘Nicky Henderson will look to clinch a sixth William Hill Game Spirit Chase win at Newbury this weekend, with crack novice Lulamba in line for the Grade 2 event.‘
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Wherever he goes this weekend, he'll have a race on, Warwick gets a bit cut up if the rain hits, Newbury always dependable groundwise, I'd favour Newbury myself...if it gets soft there I'd probably pull Jango though...just saying.
 
Not sure what that means for either of their chances in either race to be honest
 
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Cor dear, no prisoners taken there. Went a fair pace from the off in that ground.

That'll not be ideal 5 weeks from the festival!
 
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ComplyOrDie said:
Cor dear, no prisoners taken there. Went a fair pace from the off in that ground.

That'll not be ideal 5 weeks from the festival!
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Yeah. Will be Romeo's fifth run of the season too. I'd not be a fan of either in the Arkle.
 
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