• 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!

Champion Chase 2018

I'll wait for him to get beat in the Tingle Creek and have a little look again.

Hopefully he gets beaten out of sight in the Tingle Creek and the bookies over react.

I can see a strongly run 2m at Cheltenham really suiting him and would be interested should some big prices become available.
 
Hopefully he gets beaten out of sight in the Tingle Creek and the bookies over react.

I can see a strongly run 2m at Cheltenham really suiting him and would be interested should some big prices become available.

Yeah that was my exact thought... Just had a look and I don't think there has ever been a price above 25/1, so maybe its wishful thinking on my part
 
He strikes me as grade 2/ weak grade 1 class but not good enough to serve it up to an Altior, Douvan or Min.

Agree KSS. Has Nichols got a Grade 1 horse in his stable................I can't think of one.
 
Sorry if already posted on here before. Does any of you guys know what has happened to Charbel? Will he be running in this? Quite tempting still at a price.
 
Sorry if already posted on here before. Does any of you guys know what has happened to Charbel? Will he be running in this? Quite tempting still at a price.

Out tomorrow at Wincanton... Kim Bailey says he's been impressing at home - but nothing on target at Cheltenham. I would imagine this is the target after serving it up to Altior in the Arkle last year before falling.


***Should note he's going over hurdles tomorrow, seeing how he handles the hurdles and Bailey said they can revert back to chasing later in the season if needed.
 
I don't go on Betfair. So managed to get some 25s on him before tomorrow.
 
Charbels record fresh (50 days or more off the track) is excellent, form reads 1-1-1-1-F, the fall being in the Arkle against Altior, where he was certainly serving it up to him then as well, and was by no means beat!

Must have a cracking chance tomorrow, on the basis of his runs when fresh, even if it is back over hurdles.
 
Some targets some I will get wrong some hopefully will look big become March. I'm pleased it took me a few years to learn.
 
Charbels record fresh (50 days or more off the track) is excellent, form reads 1-1-1-1-F, the fall being in the Arkle against Altior, where he was certainly serving it up to him then as well, and was by no means beat!

Must have a cracking chance tomorrow, on the basis of his runs when fresh, even if it is back over hurdles.

Could be worth taking some big prices for the Champion Hurdle before tomorrows race. Connection might even be tempted by the Greatwood if he wins nicely tomorrow.
 
Could be worth taking some big prices for the Champion Hurdle before tomorrows race. Connection might even be tempted by the Greatwood if he wins nicely tomorrow.

Kim Bailey quote below

"I was thinking about the Greatwood (at Cheltenham's November Meeting) but that will be even more competitive.

"We don't really want to take on Altior again so we will try him over hurdles and it will do his confidence some good.

"I'm very happy with him and how he gets on will determine if he stays hurdling or not."
 
Have to give props to whoever runs this Douvan twitters page

34o7wg4.png


Gave me a good laugh
 
Last edited:
That made my mind up just had £25 at 3/1 Douvan. Altior wasn't running the best at Cheltenham so gone in and hoping
 
Taken some of the remaining 7/2 about Douvan. Once he gets some entries, that’ll drop to 5/2, and 7/4 probably after a win.
 
Taken some of the remaining 7/2 about Douvan. Once he gets some entries, that’ll drop to 5/2, and 7/4 probably after a win.

Do you think douvan and min both go there or just douvan?

I personally think just min and great field.. And I'd be willing to stick my neck out with complete confidence that min goes here.
 
Last edited:
Do you think douvan and min both go there or just douvan?

I personally think just min and great field.. And I'd be willing to stick my neck out with complete confidence that min goes here.

Agree with that. I think there’s hope on the breeding side of things that Douvan will get 3 miles, he’s been entered in the King George, he beat Sizing John regularly, and they have always thought Min has the ability to stick it to Altior. Think this is the least likely race we’ll see Douvan in at the festival
 
I've said this before, but feel like Ricci has backed it up today on RUK that they'll end up AVOIDING Altior. He was saying it depends on Min who looks like he's improved which to me is the line they'll keep using and although I think its not true (that he can best Altior), they'd rather win a race with Douvan and let Min get beaten.

The thing with Min is, they've got nothing to lose if taking on Altior. If Altior beats Min, No one really gets stung and Min has been an attractive price ... But Douvan needs another festival win to "make amends" ...

Right at the end ... talking up Min .... gives them options with American Tom, Min and Douvan.

Writing is on the wall already that Douvan goes over further!
 
Last edited:
I've said this before, but feel like Ricci has backed it up today on RUK that they'll end up AVOIDING Altior. He was saying it depends on Min who looks like he's improved which to me is the line they'll keep using and although I think its not true (that he can best Altior), they'd rather win a race with Douvan and let Min get beaten.

The thing with Min is, they've got nothing to lose if taking on Altior. If Altior beats Min, No one really gets stung and Min has been an attractive price ... But Douvan needs another festival win to "make amends" ...

Right at the end ... talking up Min .... gives them options with American Tom, Min and Douvan.

Writing is on the wall already that Douvan goes over further!

We will see but pp odds have said it all from along way out. Been shortest by 4 points to the nearest bookmaker since July .And top price for ryan air

Look at yesterday they were 14s already next destination for the neptune when everybody else 25s and 33s

They are ducking yorkhill for the gold cup. Faugheen CH Annamix supreme mystic theatre mares novice . Getabird ballymore
Bacardys rsa. Haven't introduced footpad yet but will make him short when they do after he runs today.
 
Last edited:
Gosh 7/2 for Douvan looks particularly short in this market, a horse coming back from an injury that could be easily stepped up in trip that will have to take on one of the best horses Nicky Henderson has ever trained, that does look a little short for me, but i wish you the best of luck.
 
My thoughts are Douvan will go for this... After all this is a Championship race and Mullins has never won it before either.

The horse will also only be 8 years old in March. If he wins, he could stay at this trip and become the dominate 2 miler (a la Sprinter Sacre). If he loses then he always has the option of being stepped up in trip the following year when he should still be at his peak.

Obviously it depends on how well he's overcome his injury, but judging from the comments he is back to normal.

I also think Min could come here also. This is probably more dependent on what else Ricci/Mullins has for the Ryanair though (American Tom potentially), but if Mullins thinks they're both true 2-milers then I think he'll throw them both at Altior.

Imagine that race, including Great Field :devilish:
 
My thoughts are Douvan will go for this... After all this is a Championship race and Mullins has never won it before either.

The horse will also only be 8 years old in March. If he wins, he could stay at this trip and become the dominate 2 miler (a la Sprinter Sacre). If he loses then he always has the option of being stepped up in trip the following year when he should still be at his peak.

Obviously it depends on how well he's overcome his injury, but judging from the comments he is back to normal.

I also think Min could come here also. This is probably more dependent on what else Ricci/Mullins has for the Ryanair though (American Tom potentially), but if Mullins thinks they're both true 2-milers then I think he'll throw them both at Altior.

Imagine that race, including Great Field :devilish:
Would be an extremely good race, I just can't see it as it's very rare mullins would throw 3 of his big ones. And ricci 2 of his main horses all in a race with a fav who's very hard to beat. Obviously they may not all make it to Cheltenham but that would be a race is be willing to pay to view.

Simular to if annie power hurricane fly and un de sceaux all would have gone to the champion hurdle the year she went to the WH.