• 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

Lalor has been held back by the ground like many others, but Kayley Wollacott has confirmed in her Betway Blog that he will be aimed at the Arkle Trial at Cheltenham on Paddy Power weekend. Pleased with that news, but as she mentions, shame he hasnt had a prep run... will be a tough ask to win this on debut.

Lalor winning the Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree was a day we’ll never forget, it was hugely emotional.

He’s been in great form over the summer, has really strengthened up and has enjoyed the weather. He’s been schooling really well over fences and we’ll be aiming him at some of the big Grade 1 prizes in the spring.

Richard [Johnson] has schooled him twice now and he’s been really pleased with him. Last week we schooled him at Philip Hobbs’ yard on grass for the first time and we were all delighted with how it went.

The dry weather has been very frustrating, although it’s the same for everyone.

There’s hardly been any rain and we wouldn’t want to run him on anything quicker than the slower side of good.

We were hoping to start at Exeter but it was far too quick. We then planned to go to Uttoxeter but it’s good-to-firm there which is crazy seeing as we’re now in November.

Having looked at the programme book, we’re now planning to go to the Racing Post Arkle Trial at Cheltenham on Sunday 18 November.

It will be good to give him a sight of the Cheltenham fences, although obviously we would have liked to have got a run into him first.

I’m sure quite a few will be turning up, so we’ll just treat it as a first day out and see how he gets on before making a plan.

A race like the Arkle in March is an obvious target, although we may decide nearer the time to focus on Aintree where he’s won for the past two years.

He’s a really exciting horse and we can’t wait to get him going over fences.
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
I was just thinking the same earlier wrt him making his debut. If he wins impressively the bookies will no doubt cut him by a point or two as well.
Click to expand...

Some bookies can't go much shorter. Coral have him as a 9/2 shot which is a ludicrous price IMO.
 
Kalshnikov was good there, settled beautifully and had plenty left in the tank when crossing the line . Well done to anyone who's got a decent price on him for this.
 
As a backer was reasonably happy with that although if I was looking to oppose him some of his jumping may give you cause for optimism (no doubt he'll learn plenty). Interestingly Bet365 pushed him out to 8s straight after the race before bringing him back in again, which suggests they at least were not overly impressed (unless it was an oversight).
 
Rhinestone_Cowboy said:
As a backer was reasonably happy with that although if I was looking to oppose him some of his jumping may give you cause for optimism (no doubt he'll learn plenty). Interestingly Bet365 pushed him out to 8s straight after the race before bringing him back in again, which suggests they at least were not overly impressed (unless it was an oversight).
Click to expand...

Bet365 cut him to 6/1, that 8/1 is Oddschecker doing 'its thing' again! If he went out to 8/1 with 365 it was for seconds, and an error at that, as was on the market and never saw the 8/1.

Kalashnikov was good enough. I won't be rushing to back him mind.
 
Last edited:
Rhinestone_Cowboy said:
As a backer was reasonably happy with that although if I was looking to oppose him some of his jumping may give you cause for optimism (no doubt he'll learn plenty). Interestingly Bet365 pushed him out to 8s straight after the race before bringing him back in again, which suggests they at least were not overly impressed (unless it was an oversight).
Click to expand...

I might have taken a chance with that had I seen it. Wish I took 14s anyway. But I expected there to be a good chance and a hunch that melon went here.
 
Can't say I was bowled over there by kalashnikov. At the price he's at for this I'd be looking for a foot perfect performance. 5-1 is far too short but anyone on at a decent price good luck to them.
 
taylorch1990 said:
Can't say I was bowled over there by kalashnikov. At the price he's at for this I'd be looking for a foot perfect performance. 5-1 is far too short but anyone on at a decent price good luck to them.
Click to expand...

What he said
 
ComplyOrDie said:
Bet365 cut him to 6/1, that 8/1 is Oddschecker doing 'its thing' again! If he went out to 8/1 with 365 it was for seconds, and an error at that, as was on the market and never saw the 8/1.

Kalashnikov was good enough. I won't be rushing to back him mind.
Click to expand...

You are probably right CoD as it would have been an unusual thing to do
 
I'd think connections will be delighted with that first time out.
 
I’m happy with that run today, (take his current price out of the equation) I think people are too quick to criticize novice chasers making there debuts over the big obstacles. They’re novies so you can expect a novicey error or two. He should come on leap & bounds for the run.
 
He'll be better over further:devilish:

*Desperately hoping he ends up in the JLT*
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
He'll be better over further:devilish:

*Desperately hoping he ends up in the JLT*
Click to expand...

I'd echo that comment however looking at the market what will take him on in England? All his main rivals appear to be in Ireland at the moment.

I suspect he will go unbeaten till the festival where it would take a very brave decision to skip the arkle for the JLT.

I can see something just being a little slicker and quicker over his fences in the arkle that him.
 
He looked a whole lot better and slicker jumping when he went a better tempo IMO. So maybe a strongly run arkle will be perfect for him.

As I have missed the boat with the prices I'd be happy to leave him though.
 
SeanRock said:
I’m happy with that run today, (take his current price out of the equation) I think people are too quick to criticize novice chasers making there debuts over the big obstacles. They’re novies so you can expect a novicey error or two. He should come on leap & bounds for the run.
Click to expand...

Agree regarding the criticism of Novices
 
I know the way the antepost markets work, but the shortening of Kalashnikov to 6/1 best priced has actually shocked me. Well done to people on at decent prices, but I think at 6/1 he is the worst value antepost bet for the Cheltenham festival. I cant get my head round it.

Terrible price on many levels.
 
Murphy said: "It was very much like sending your kid to school on the first day of term but Kalashnikov put in a safe round of jumping and it was job done. It's all about learning a lot here and he was only about 85 per cent fit as we haven't been able to use the grass gallops that much.

"There are no set plans but all roads lead to the Arkle and we may look at Plumpton next month as they are putting on a bonus, but we will do right by the horse."*
 
billymag said:
I know the way the antepost markets work, but the shortening of Kalashnikov to 6/1 best priced has actually shocked me. Well done to people on at decent prices, but I think at 6/1 he is the worst value antepost bet for the Cheltenham festival. I cant get my head round it.

Terrible price on many levels.
Click to expand...

Its not outstanding value but it's pretty fair he just won nicely on debut. Theres nothing from last year's champion hurdle. The hype horse samcro stays hurdling. The supreme winner stays hurdling, he was a narrow 2nd, so he's the standout 2 miler in the division and very much the one to go and beat on the form book. If he was trained by mullins had all the same form he'd be 3 or 4/1 now.
 
billymag said:
I know the way the antepost markets work, but the shortening of Kalashnikov to 6/1 best priced has actually shocked me. Well done to people on at decent prices, but I think at 6/1 he is the worst value antepost bet for the Cheltenham festival. I cant get my head round it.

Terrible price on many levels.
Click to expand...

It's a real shame that ante post betting is getting worse and worse.
 
Potentially I could see Willie having two or three better, Gordon having two better, Nicky having one better, plus all the other British and Irish trainers, the chance of him getting injured or loss of form, he has the option of the JLT, the worst price of the festival, in my opinion. Im not saying it wasnt a nice introduction and he was fine, its a price thing, Im genuinely stunned they have shortened him and as a result Ive put a £50 lay in at 6/1 on betfair. #moneywherebigmouthis
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom