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2026 Novice Chasers

A great watch, fascinating. Romeo Coolio looked cooked but he is a fighter and wore the mare down and I think he idled after the last. I think he'll love the Cheltenham hill in the Arkle but Kennedy won't want to hit the front too soon.
 
Another hard race for Romeo. Can't see him winning an Arkle and would take Western Fold over him in a match bet in the BANC.

Kargese did well but would expect Kopek to hammer them both in March.
 
"Won't be Ryanair" Gordy on RTE haha quickly shot that down. But did say will step up in trip now, will enter him in both and see. 🤔 not sure if that step up in trip was more for next season or let it slip RSA could be the race!

I really like Romeo, but my confidence in Arkle is slowly dwindling away!
 
Already on Romeo for the Arkle but if I wasn't, I wouldn't be backing him for either race. Glad to have the slip but he doesn't look like the winner to me. Lulamba could well be the one going in there with the best chance and I can't believe I am saying that as I don't have a penny on him
 
jrjr said:
Another hard race for Romeo. Can't see him winning an Arkle and would take Western Fold over him in a match bet in the BANC.

Kargese did well but would expect Kopek to hammer them both in March.
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Kopek has to turn up, then he has to show us he’s good enough.
Would not be expecting anything!!
 
Big Bucks said:
"Won't be Ryanair" Gordy on RTE haha quickly shot that down. But did say will step up in trip now, will enter him in both and see. 🤔 not sure if that step up in trip was more for next season or let it slip RSA could be the race!

I really like Romeo, but my confidence in Arkle is slowly dwindling away!
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There is hope for BANC then, didn’t see that interview
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
Just can’t see them going from 2m to 3m unfortunately
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They can't stick to 2m after that. Just pointless. He won't jump quick enough to get anywhere near them.

Can't fault the campaigning, he's won 3 G1s this season, but if the owners are desperate for Cheltenham winners then they'll have to reign in these campaigns.
 
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jrjr said:
Another hard race for Romeo. Can't see him winning an Arkle and would take Western Fold over him in a match bet in the BANC.

Kargese did well but would expect Kopek to hammer them both in March.
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Now looks a good call from Willie. It to run kopek
 
Would fancy Kargese to turn that around at Cheltenham, wasn't a huge fan of Paul making that quick switch to the rails, allowed Jack to gain easy ground.
 
Brooksie said:
Would fancy Kargese to turn that around at Cheltenham, wasn't a huge fan of Paul making that quick switch to the rails, allowed Jack to gain easy ground.
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I would too yeah. Albeit I wouldn't fancy either to win the race
 
My view. Kargese and Romeo are both really likeable horses and they went quick enough, maybe too quick, that is for sure and both jumped really well until that last couple of fences when they tired and the slow motion finish after the last for both horses tells me it was hard going and maybe the winners after today are Lulamba and Kopek. I don't think I would back either Kargese or Romeo in the Arkle after this race and I really like them both.
 
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Winning rider Jack Kennedy told Racing TV: “He jumped and travelled great until the ditch, then made a couple of mistakes after that.

“I thought I was beaten but then I ended up there in front too soon and he idled up the straight.

“I know she's [Kargese] keen going but I thought Paul [Townend] might follow me and have one go at me, but it all worked out ok.

When asked if the horse had more to give this season, Kennedy replied: “I think so, hopefully.”
 
Couldn't have either on my mind for the Arkle after that, then again I expect the ground to be very different in march, I thought Kargese blew up 2 out then didn't get full up until after the last, Romeo idled a bit up the run in, or was he feeling it as he was struggling to keep tabs on the mare on that ground early on, dunno....I'd say better ground Romeo doesn't win today, probably doesn't even get close to the mare, but I don't think the mare would win an Arkle, any Arkle this century infact.

Romeo 2m4f+ horse for me, if it was me I'd think we've won 3 Grade 1's and had a great season, skip Cheltenham, go Aintree or Punchestown then come back next season for the Ryanair.
 
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They've gone some clip.

Just had a look at the speed gun figures.

The Juvenile Hurdle for the first mile went between 26mph to 28mph, that Irish Arkle they were clocking 29mph to 31mph, mostly sustained at between 30mph & 31mph.

Between 1m - 1m4f the juvenile race were still only around 28mph - 29mph, the Irish Arkle was still between 31mph & 30mph.

By the end, no surprise, the Irish Arkle were crawling at 25mph, the juvenile hurdle between 29mph - 33mph (at one point).
 
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