I think it's also that despite his campaign pre Cheltenham, Willie thought he was a staying type and put him in the Albert Bartlett.
Despite finishing 'only 8th', the Albert Bartlett is littered with horses that didn't feature at the business end but went on to have excellent results thereafter, including some in the National Hunt Chase.
I don't know where he'd end up but can see why people may chance 33/1 with 365 when they could likely cash out if the target does look wrong at one stage. In fact, I might just do that :highly_amused:
Apologies if this seems pedantic but Janidil was 5th in the AB, beaten 11 1/2 lengths. He was 4th last jumping the second last and going very easily. Then made up ground but had his run checked and couldn't go with the front four on the run to the last. Plugged on up the hill to finish 5th. Would be a very classy contender in the 4-miler. You can also back him 22-1 (including bet boost) twar with Hills.
Here's why I think he could end up in the NH Chase (from diary May 11):
I just want to highlight Janidil as a speculative punt for the National Hunt Chase.
He's 50-1 with Unibet but could well be favourite IF he lines up on the day. And yes I accept that's a big IF but at 50-1......
I've been trying to work out what target Willie and JP will choose for him at next year's Festival and I don't think the NH Chase is quite so fanciful.
He's six now and picked up 2 big handicap hurdle pots over 2miles this season before finishing fifth in the AB, just over 11 lengths behind Monkfish. I'm a big fan and backed him that day. It was his first try over 3miles and Mark Walsh held him up right out the back. He came through nicely to track the leaders in the straight but he got left behind the front four when things got serious. To be honest I was slightly disappointed but it was a very hot race and MW was asking a lot to win it from out the back.
Janidil's got a lot of options next season.
He could stay hurdling (rated 149) and go for the County Hurdle, Coral Cup or the Stayers Hurdle (best price 66-1).
He could go chasing and be aimed at the Arkle (bp 40-1), the Marsh (not quoted), the RSA (bp 40-1), the NH Chase or even one of the handicaps.
Think it's true Willie prefers the championship races to the handicaps so let's assume that's the way he'll want to go with Janidil who he talked up for the AB in the run up to the Festival even though all his starts for the stable had been over 2 miles (2 1 1 2).
Let's also assume he goes chasing which as he'll be seven next year seems likely.
I think the Arkle is the least likely option for Janidil as his strength is stamina rather than electric pace. Willie could also possibly have Klassical Dream, Elixir D'ainay and maybe even Sagalway and Aramon for the Arkle.
The Marsh is certainly a possibility but that's also probably going to be flying a bit high for Janidil. Willie has The Big Getaway and maybe Elixir D'ainay as likely contenders here - the last named in the same JP ownership as Janidil.
The RSA is also entirely a possibility but Willie has the likely favourite in Monkfish.
So that leaves the NH Chase where I know a lot of people are on Aione at fancy prices. Aione is a great bet and Patrick has already made encouraging remarks that this is his likely target. But if Janidil lines up against Aione I can't see any reason why he won't confirm his 11-length superiority over Aione in the AB.
What about JP's likely novice chase contenders?
Band of Outlaws and Aramax could go chasing and be in the mix over 2m with Elix D'ainay, Andy Dufresne and possibly Early Doors in the Marsh or RSA.
Granted, JP has a weaker hand than Willie in the novice chase division but he usually has a fancied runner in the NH Chase.
At a Festival preview Patrick Mullins said Mark Walsh absolutely loves Janidil and Patrick himself said it was exceptional for a novice hurdler to win two big open handicaps in his debut season.
And the fact that Willie was already thinking in terms of the AB despite Janidil's success over 2m makes me think a small interest in 50-1 for the NH Chase is not completely daft.
If Janidil does go chasing we are unlikely to find out his absolute target until March so there might be a bit of wriggle room to lay off part of the bet.
