• HELP US - Become a Patron - Fat Jockey is a horse racing community focused on all the big races in the UK and Ireland. We don't charge users but if you have found the site useful then any support towards the running costs is appreciated ... a small donation each month would be a huge contribution. Become a Patron!

2026 Novice Chasers

EnvoiAlien said:

Dublin Racing Festival 2026 Preview & Trials Day Analysis | Road To Cheltenham | Racing TV​


Was just going back through this on YT, as I didn't watch it all the other week, Kopek De Bordes...they mention his leg he had the operation on got infected which is why he missed the DRF, did no one else hear this as I hadn't seen it mentioned here, or anywhere else, surprised it wasn't noted by anyone given his popularity & position in the AP markets.

44.51 is when they start talking about him if anyone wants to hear exactly what is said.
Click to expand...
As our resident FJ vet, what's the idiot's synopsis for a leg infection on a horse?
 
  • Haha
Reactions: EnvoiAlien
FredFlintstone said:
Yeah he definitely looks a chaser but when I go back through his form its not convincing. I know you can only beat whats in front of you and he didn't even really do that in the triumph.. For me he hasn't beaten enough over fences or hurdles to be that short for an arkle. Feels its reputation that has him so short
Click to expand...
I get where you’re coming from but who is he likely to face?

Romeo and Kargese just had a really hard race at the DRF, will that have taken its toll.
Kopek (as much as I hope WPM gets him there spot on), has had a poor prep and missed his last 2 potential outings due to a procedure and then not recovering from said procedure.
Then I don’t think the rest are worth mentioning imo.

We know when Nicky has a 2m horse and they have a load of 1’s next to their name they are as short as anything at the festival.
 
Tbh there's loads that could go wrong (see Sir Gino last season) with these minor ops as horses heal inside out unlike us, so the wound is always open until fully healed, no scabbing over so you need to keep it covered & clean it out daily, which is a pain enough as they're dirty at the best of times 😆
Generally a week on antibiotics, clean the wound twice a day, get bloods done to make sure no infections lingering, and hope the leg doesn't start swelling after the wounds healed and you're off the antibiotics, if that happens you're in the shite.
I'm not surprised it wasn't mentioned as horses get infections from small cuts, go on courses of antis all the time & its all fine 99% of the time, but now & then you will get instances where something happens and it holds you up, just feels like they've been unlucky here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jrjr, Carnage at Taunton, FredFlintstone and 1 other person
Without going back through over 90 pages, does anyone have a view about Kappa Jy Pyke for the Jack Richards? His last race was previously won by Bob Olinger, Impervious and Lecky Watson on their way to Cheltenham. Jacobs Ladder franked the form at the weekend. Up to 152 in Ireland but looks his correct trip. Maybe wait for Fairyhouse?
 
archie said:
Without going back through over 90 pages, does anyone have a view about Kappa Jy Pyke for the Jack Richards? His last race was previously won by Bob Olinger, Impervious and Lecky Watson on their way to Cheltenham. Jacobs Ladder franked the form at the weekend. Up to 152 in Ireland but looks his correct trip. Maybe wait for Fairyhouse?
Click to expand...
He's only had the 2 chase starts.
Not entered in next few days.
I'd guess arkle or nothing.
I've backed for arkle each way personally.
 
  • Like
Reactions: archie
Craigy14 said:
I get where you’re coming from but who is he likely to face?

Romeo and Kargese just had a really hard race at the DRF, will that have taken its toll.
Kopek (as much as I hope WPM gets him there spot on), has had a poor prep and missed his last 2 potential outings due to a procedure and then not recovering from said procedure.
Then I don’t think the rest are worth mentioning imo.

We know when Nicky has a 2m horse and they have a load of 1’s next to their name they are as short as anything at the festival.
Click to expand...
Romeo, Kargese & Irish Panther have all shown a fair level over fences this season and Kopek was much the best over hurdles. We dont know Lulamba's ceiling at 2 miles over fences but he's only beat Be Aware when in receipt of weight so far this season.
 
archie said:
Without going back through over 90 pages, does anyone have a view about Kappa Jy Pyke for the Jack Richards? His last race was previously won by Bob Olinger, Impervious and Lecky Watson on their way to Cheltenham. Jacobs Ladder franked the form at the weekend. Up to 152 in Ireland but looks his correct trip. Maybe wait for Fairyhouse?
Click to expand...

….Ruby Walsh gave KJP an Arkle mention;

But he also feels there are interesting runners at bigger prices too.

“Kappa Jy Pyke possibly. I thought he showed a good turn of foot to beat Jacob’s Ladder at Punchestown, Jacob’s Ladder won the handicap chase on Monday at Leopardstown.

“I think he could be a little bit between trips as well, but I could see him coming here rather than going all the way up to three miles in the Brown Advisory. It didn’t look like he stayed last year as a hurdler in Aintree so possibly he could go here at a double figure price.

“He’s a good jumper, he beat Salvator Mundi in Thurles and he’s beaten Jacob’s Ladder at Punchestown, it’s probably solid enough form and maybe because he wasn’t in the top rung of novice hurdlers last season, he’s a little bit overlooked, but I’d say he’s a decent horse and he’s a good each-way price."

And if he was given a free bet now – who would he place it on?

"I’ll take a stab at one of the ones at a price Irish Panther, Kappa Jy Pyke – probably going to get a better trail on Irish Panther because you're going to be on the front end at 14/1, whereas Kappa Jy Pyke you'd be looking at it wondering can he sneak into third?” he reasoned.

“Probably never getting a real sniff for your win stake so if I had an each-way on Irish Panther, you’d be heading down the hill thinking I’ve a chance and then you’d be watching them going back up hoping he can hang on."
 
  • Like
Reactions: archie and EnvoiAlien
Quevega said:
He's only had the 2 chase starts.
Not entered in next few days.
I'd guess arkle or nothing.
I've backed for arkle each way personally.
Click to expand...
Cheers. Not sure he's a 2 miler but the Arkle is open if Kopek doesn't turn up (or goes to Champion Hurdle) so nrnb a reasonable poke.
 
Funny as connections of Irish Panther were dangling the idea of going QMCC the other day on a podcast, as a 9yo was the thinking, how many chances at the race would they have, would it be much more difficult to win than the Arkle.....but this was said before the DRF so opinions may have changed about how both races had roughly the same level of horses.
 
archie said:
Cheers. Not sure he's a 2 miler but the Arkle is open if Kopek doesn't turn up (or goes to Champion Hurdle) so nrnb a reasonable poke.
Click to expand...
Yeah, like Ruby's summary, you'd be wanting to see him running on towards the finish.
Place possibly but could do a Jango and reel the lot in.
Plus with Romeo movements today a lot more look like going for the BANC (although that move today is likely bullshit)
 
archie said:
Cheers. Not sure he's a 2 miler but the Arkle is open if Kopek doesn't turn up (or goes to Champion Hurdle) so nrnb a reasonable poke.
Click to expand...
....Kopek backers just took a Gulp....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom