• 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!

Arkle 2019

Cilaos Emery wins next years Arkle doesn't he?
 
Beating getabird, riders on the storm and Jetz on soft looks decent enough form no? Even coming third to LBAR on unsuitable ground doesn’t look that bad?
 
I couldn't even see Le Richebourg laying a glove on next seasons Champion Chase let alone this lot. (though he would have won this)
Cilaos Emery was the only one I would have expected could have at least given a good go at it.

Prediction for next year...none of this years Arkle field will even line up in next seasons CC (will be running either over further or in handicaps)

Your prediction may be correct...I think Lalor may need half a mile further next year. Though by winning the Arkle the hands may be tied to running in the CC. I know RW always thought ultimately two and a half miles would be his optimum trip....we will see.
 
The first day NAP in Racing Post in this race....



Preference is for HARDLINE (nap), who has a good form chance on two Graded-race wins in December. This race promises to suit him ideally


Articulum
Naas win latest; that's useful form but more is definitely needed here


Clondaw Castle
Lightly raced 7yo who is progressing well over fences; this race is significantly tougher


Duc Des Genievres
Significant improvement when thrashing some decent rivals at Gowran; shortlisted


Glen Forsa
3 from 3 chasing; won well in 3-runner Sandown Grade 2 (near 2m) latest; versatile; claims


Hardline
Claims on wins at Navan (2m1f) and Limerick (2m3f Grade 1) in December; strong contender


Kalashnikov
Jumping is in for big test here; there's a suspicion that a bit further would suit better


Knocknanuss
His form is good enough for place possibilities but a fall last time is off-putting


Lalor
Big chance if running to same level as when clearcut winner of C&D Grade 2 in November


Ornua
Very useful novice switched to fences this season; each-way claims


Paloma Blue
This demands a good bit more and he'll definitely need to smarten up his jumping


Slate House
Second at Newbury (2m4f) last time; a lot more is needed and others are much preferred


Us And Them
2nd in Grade 1s at Leopardstown; possible he could run on from off the pace into a place
 
Racing Post NAP Hardline.
That'll do for me.
I always had him down as a JLT horse, I think it was boopa who called his trip right.

Off to pack my bag. Good luck to all.
 
All is well and all systems go for Lalor...Can't wait for the race now.

Best of luck WC - hope he runs a great race your yourself and all connections. There won't be a dry eye in the house if he gets his head in front.
 
Been looking through this again as whilst I have a couple of points on GF, I can’t help feeling that he is a weak fav and whilst like many of others on here find the race uninspiring, there must be another angle. I’d previously discounted DDG on grounds of its run behind CE and that clearly he was considered some way behind that one. However if CE was running in this now, I think he would be a nigh on certainty and perhaps by employing the front running tactics they have finally found the key with DDG... in all of his previous races where he has often flattered to deceive, he has been held up off the pace. Add into this his arguable career best effort at the Fez last year, I think 7s is generous... probably be more like half the price if Ruby was up.
 
Best of luck WC - hope he runs a great race your yourself and all connections. There won't be a dry eye in the house if he gets his head in front.

Thank you very much...in some ways it will be a difficult day as we all wish Rich was still with us to live the day with us...but his belief in this horse lives on through all that have a connection to him. I can't wait to watch Lalor storm up the hill tomorrow...
 
I've backed Lalor at 33/1 so hoping for a good showing, but says a lot about this year that I'd probably only come out of the Arkle about evens...

My main fancy is Hardline. Would not have been near the top of the list two months ago, but he's going to appreciate the ground and actually he's got some of the best graded chase form left in the race (with Getabird, LBAR etc). If it gets really soft I can see Duc Des Genievres going well but I think the trips probably on the short side... but he did come second in a soft ground Deloitte

All in all I think I'm buggered on this race anyway but first day bullishness has me wading back in
 
Excluding places... for me to make profit in this race I need Lalor, Hardline or Slate House to win...

Which given I'm starting 35 pts down in non runners, is pretty remarkable :highly_amused:


Best of luck with Lalor WC :encouragement:
 
wish you all the best WC1 with Lalor, i think the whole of the racing public (and beyond) will be cheering him on regardless. We'd get a crowd around the parade ring similar to sprinter's, when he snatched back his crown :)
 
Hardline is going to shorten isn't he.....

Sporting Life:

The Arkle sees its biggest field since 2010 and a far more open contest than usual (last four favourites have won, all at odds-on). One element of the race that should be guaranteed is pace with several of these looking likely to go forward including the leading contender Glen Forsa who looks assured in the jumping department. A well-run race is sure to suit two of the Irish contenders in HARDLINE and Duc De Genievres both of whom have scored over further. The former is a powerful traveller whilst the latter represents Willie Mullins who has trained three of the last four winners. Testing ground would prove a problem for Lalor while Kalashnikov needs to bounce back from a poor run last time.

  1. Hardline
  2. Duc Des Genievres
  3. Glen Forsa
 
Hardline is going to shorten isn't he.....

Sporting Life:

The Arkle sees its biggest field since 2010 and a far more open contest than usual (last four favourites have won, all at odds-on). One element of the race that should be guaranteed is pace with several of these looking likely to go forward including the leading contender Glen Forsa who looks assured in the jumping department. A well-run race is sure to suit two of the Irish contenders in HARDLINE and Duc De Genievres both of whom have scored over further. The former is a powerful traveller whilst the latter represents Willie Mullins who has trained three of the last four winners. Testing ground would prove a problem for Lalor while Kalashnikov needs to bounce back from a poor run last time.

  1. Hardline
  2. Duc Des Genievres
  3. Glen Forsa

I for one would be very happy with that result!!
 
I’m absolute dead against the horse

But Kalashnikov at 10/1, is he becoming e/w value?
 
Slate House. Is 66/1 too big?

B365 with give you 25/1 with the first 6 places included.

It just seems too big to me.

I can’t find an angle into the race.

I don’t like any of the first few in the market at their prices. I backed and cashed out Articulum. Price has gone on Hardline.

Knocknanuss I like but I fear a pace burn-up.

So, I come down on Us and Them, Articulum and Slate House at each way prices. Not a clue!
 
Hardline has been smashed up. Into 9/2 with Lalor out to 6/1.