Arkle 2019

[boopa]

DD made hard work of beating Ornua he's not exactly fast himself. That doesn't bode well for Kalashnikov. Kalanisi progeny haven't improved for a fence yet.

 

[Scooby91]

I agree. I backed the DRF double at 18/1 as a cover but dont think he's anything special either. CE clearly has a high ceiling but this could come too soon for him. Lalor may not have to do that much, to win.

I genuinely think CE is a shoe in here. Maybe im over confident, on hurdles form. Because on his 1 chase run, he's not had the opportunity to better himself in graded company, so I can't say he's by far the best of these over fences.
But imo i believe given the opportunity, he will be.

But either way. Won't be long until we find out. Touch wood all our bets make it there.

 

[Quevega]

Le richeburg is the perfect arkle horse for me, and the second in the drinmore is a big positive.
But Cilaos Emery jumped really quick on debut and if he don't make a mistake he'll go close.
And the two brits are probably better than there last runs.
should be a good race.

 

[Can't Catch Me]

Lalor is my biggest winner but CE isnt that far behind and I have both ew... so as long as one wins and one is placed, I will be a happy man.

 

[The Don]

Place lay of the festival is Kalashnikov... CE wins this comfortably I think

 

[Scooby91]

Le richeburg is the perfect arkle horse for me, and the second in the drinmore is a big positive.
But Cilaos Emery jumped really quick on debut and if he don't make a mistake he'll go close.
And the two brits are probably better than there last runs.
should be a good race.

Tactically wil be interesting. We all know ruby is a master of judging the pace in a small field. Maybe Joseph will throw us and them in to make the running. Or maybe lalor will try and make all. Not a clue tbh until the tapes go up.

 

[Scooby91]

Place lay of the festival is Kalashnikov... CE wins this comfortably I think

People been saying that all year, yet he only shortens. He must be a bigger price on the day surely if that's the case.
Very rare i see anyone saying they fancy him. They'll need to get him him there books.

Hope so anyway.

 

[delsie777]

Tactically wil be interesting. We all know ruby is a master of judging the pace in a small field. Maybe Joseph will throw us and them in to make the running. Or maybe lalor will try and make all. Not a clue tbh until the tapes go up.

Ruby and Barry will sit in behind a likely good pace - and Johnson will probably be with them I reckon. When the pace collapses they will put their horses into the race. Could be an absolute classic horse race. Mouth watering clash with 3 great jocks.

 

[Outlaw]

People been saying that all year, yet he only shortens. He must be a bigger price on the day surely if that's the case.
Very rare i see anyone saying they fancy him. They'll need to get him him there books.

Hope so anyway.

Very much a fan fav, you won't see many enthusiasts talk him up but casual fans lap him up is my view on his market position.

 

[Kevloaf]

ndy Holding tipped Kalashnikov, so he'll have his fair share of backers.

I can't see him drifting too much.

Double figures I'd back him now, probably.

Definitely maybe.

 

[charlie]

Le Richebourg has benefitted from running on the good ground he wants of late, but his form in any race of note with a view to this on soft/heavy doesn't read particularly well, including at Cheltenham last year. Probably a worthy fav in a race that lacks depth, but Simon Claise will no doubt water for the first day of festival if it's not soft already, that will significantly reduce his chances over a course we can't be sure suits (ground definitely counted against him last year). Can see LR being absolutely smashed up on the day like an absolute certainty, and then getting beat.

I don't like Kalashnikov and if he were mine he would go JLT. Winner comes from Lalor or Cilaos Emery IMO.

 

[TheRowebot]

What’s everyone’s view on Le Richebourg and the likely day 1 ground? All his best form is on good ground and I just can’t see Cheltenham taking any chances and will probably over water. 1.01 it will be called good to soft but we know this can be very different to how it rides.

 

[delsie777]

ndy Holding tipped Kalashnikov, so he'll have his fair share of backers.

I can't see him drifting too much.

Double figures I'd back him now, probably.

Definitely maybe.

Wont get up the Hill in front of those classy Irish horses, Kev.

 

[Kevloaf]

Wont get up the Hill in front of those classy Irish horses, Kev.

Should whack him into the JLT then

 

[bobbyvalentino]

What’s everyone’s view on Le Richebourg and the likely day 1 ground? All his best form is on good ground and I just can’t see Cheltenham taking any chances and will probably over water. 1.01 it will be called good to soft but we know this can be very different to how it rides.

I think that's the line all the "experts" will be using the crib him on the preview circuit

IMO it's Le Richebourg and Cilaos Emery drawing clear at the last, with CE making a novicey blunder halting his momentum. Lalor plugging on for an honourable third.

 

[Quevega]

What’s everyone’s view on Le Richebourg and the likely day 1 ground? All his best form is on good ground and I just can’t see Cheltenham taking any chances and will probably over water. 1.01 it will be called good to soft but we know this can be very different to how it rides.

They used the ground excuse last season for the horse underperforming, when they expected better, I wouldn't worry, especially as he has good form over 2m 4f.

 

[Native River]

I might've gone a bit mental with the lack of racing but I do feel 33/1 is too high for Mengli Khan, and looking at his form and his 3 runs at Leopardstown could it be he struggles at the course? His first run was when he decided to jump the wing, then a 4th & 3rd, you take that out and his form is fantastic and we know he can handle the hill as he came up it well in the Supreme and hopefully better ground to suit who knows....

Stinks of clutching at straws this :highly_amused:

 

[Humble Pie]

I might've gone a bit mental with the lack of racing but I do feel 33/1 is too high for Mengli Khan, and looking at his form and his 3 runs at Leopardstown could it be he struggles at the course? His first run was when he decided to jump the wing, then a 4th & 3rd, you take that out and his form is fantastic and we know he can handle the hill as he came up it well in the Supreme and hopefully better ground to suit who knows....

Stinks of clutching at straws this :highly_amused:

Mengli has a great engine but jumping is ...well just replay his races

 

[Scooby91]

I might've gone a bit mental with the lack of racing but I do feel 33/1 is too high for Mengli Khan, and looking at his form and his 3 runs at Leopardstown could it be he struggles at the course? His first run was when he decided to jump the wing, then a 4th & 3rd, you take that out and his form is fantastic and we know he can handle the hill as he came up it well in the Supreme and hopefully better ground to suit who knows....

Stinks of clutching at straws this :highly_amused:

I'll be suprised if he runs here. Atleast he'll have a mark now. They can decide if its a handicap chase/ hurdle. Gordon wouldn't be one for making up the numbers. Unless the olearys insist that he runs. But I doubt they would in his case.

 

[Native River]

I'll be suprised if he runs here. Atleast he'll have a mark now. They can decide if its a handicap chase/ hurdle. Gordon wouldn't be one for making up the numbers. Unless the olearys insist that he runs. But I doubt they would in his case.

Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if Elliot looked at the handicap route, however when you look at the potential Giggins/Elliot runners you have Mengli, Hardline & Duca De Thaix. For me Hardline could do with more than 2m & DDT is not good enough for an arkle. Elliot has always stated since the start of the season really that Mengli is being aimed at the Arkle and that he is his number one option, he may potentially be inclined to stick to that plan, for him to be a player though he will certainly need a far cleaner round of jumping as Humble Pie mentioned, however I think his debut chase was fairly tidy as an opener so he has the potential to put in a good round.