2026 Novice Chasers

[Quevega]

I've not backed Lulamba so say this objectively. It wasn't the round of jumping you'd want to see, but at the same time that will be some experience against experienced chasers for him. Every year that Nicky has a good contender (maybe except Jonbon) there's a couple of little jumping concerns about them, and whether they will be quick enough etc, and they always seem to be fine, so I wouldn't be too worried.

However if I was in the Willie contingent I'd be trying to win that arkle before they get into the straight - set a gallop and try and expose some flaws in him

Yep.
Might be a biggish field also 8 or 9 maybe ?
So unlikely to be kept out wide in his own space.

 

[EnvoiAlien]

Lets Hope the yards been washing their hands.

Issue that yard has is lads not doing as they're told by the visiting vets, I alluded to it a while ago...but that's all I'll say on it, couple of horses there have struggled because someone on the ground thought they knew better (Not Gino before anyone wonders).

 

[Brooksie]

Lets Hope the yards been washing their hands.

more infections at Hendo's than a brothel

 

[Ellisgittings]

Yep.
Might be a biggish field also 8 or 9 maybe ?
So unlikely to be kept out wide in his own space.

It's opposite way round but reminds me a bit of El Fab vs Jonbon. All the talk pre Chelt was will El Fab be able to stay in touch, can Jonbon run mistakes into him early and he got leathered.

I'm on Kopek from pre-season but would always rather back the horse with the engine that can jump better, than the best jumper that has less of an engine

 

[EnvoiAlien]

Looks a cut on his front left, just above the hoof at the front from what I screenshotted

Wheres our forum Vet @EnvoiAlien

I can't see any pics, but I'm going to guess it'll be fine, front of leg so only bone innit, just keep it clean FFS.

 

[Lobos]

I can't see any pics, but I'm going to guess it'll be fine, front of leg so only bone innit, just keep it clean FFS.

If only it were that simple. Close to fez so not ideal. Hopefully

 

[Benjy23]

The kind of performance that is unlikely to convert many people from either side of the fence to honest.

I remain convinced he won't live with Kopek.

 

[somer1]

Lulamba as dangerous as a basketful of kittens

Them kittens are getting scary

 

[opatcho]

He was good enough for me there. Yeah, would love to see him jump better over a few, but he’s more of the “safe side” than “ohhh he’s going to fall to take a fence with him”

I do think they’ll be stepping him up next season, so will continue to chip away with him in the KG

In the last two races, I think they’re gone as quick as what they will do in the arkle, and on both occasions Lulmaba has come through it

Who’s going to set the pace in the arkle?

Kagese has been keen? Would imagine they’ll tuck her in

Kopek, he won’t be going from the front

Romeo, he won’t be quick enough to lead from the front

Irish Panther probably the one to do so, but I’m not all that worried that he’ll set something that Lulamba couldn’t deal with


Yes…. would love to see Lulamba jump better but that was a tricky race today, and another tick in the box in terms of experience. Much better than running in a 3 horse race with two novices looking for handicap marks

I guess the arkle will still be talked about over the coming weeks, Lulmaba didn’t do enough there to shut that down, but did enough there to be fav for the race

 

[EnvoiAlien]

If only it were that simple. Close to fez so not ideal. Hopefully

Indeed, you'd be surprised if you knew how often they cut themselves,knock themselves, pull a muscle ect ect, the miracle is getting them to not kill themselves between races, much as I love them...they're thick as fcuking shit, even the clever ones

 

[Lobos]

Them kittens are getting scary

Horrible little fuckers

 

[Lobos]

Indeed, you'd be surprised if you knew how often they cut themselves,knock themselves, pull a muscle ect ect, the miracle is getting them to not kill themselves between races, much as I love them...they're thick as fcuking shit, even the clever ones

Not surprised at all after owning one. Vets fees through the roof !

 

[EnvoiAlien]

Yeah its not a cheap hobby, a good farrier & decent vet can save you fortunes long term

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Thought considering the conditions and having to cope with the far more experienced horses , Lulamba did ok.
Yes he could have jumped and travelled better,but on that ground probably not easy for an inexperienced one amongst senior ones.
He won going away despite and I wish I was on him at nice prices, if he’s ever been!!
So I will continue to attempt to get the front two beat, but tread carefully!!

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

The kind of performance that is unlikely to convert many people from either side of the fence to honest.

I remain convinced he won't live with Kopek.

Yep, probably going to split opinions all the way to 11th March!!

 

[FredFlintstone]

PP enhancing Lulamba 2/1 for the arkle

 

[Yosser]

Them kittens are getting scary

Do you get the impression GV doesn't like Lulamba

 

[EnvoiAlien]

I think he'd love the horse if it was trained somewhere else

 

[Lobos]

Thought considering the conditions and having to cope with the far more experienced horses , Lulamba did ok.
Yes he could have jumped and travelled better,but on that ground probably not easy for an inexperienced one amongst senior ones.
He won going away despite and I wish I was on him at nice prices, if he’s ever been!!
So I will continue to attempt to get the front two beat, but tread carefully!!

He was super Carnage. No need to play it down. Yes he wasn't foot perfect but he strolled home against experienced rivals. He is a serious animal!

 

[Leman14]

My only worry with Lulamba, is that he takes a while to warm up and can look a bit sluggish early on.

Ruby on RTC talks about 4 fences in quick succession early on in Arkle/CC - which has always been Jonbons undoing…

IF there is early pace (which there might not be), he could be up against it early on.