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Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase 2018

Anyone concerned that Barry Geraghty has apparently deserted any second now 6/1 fav for Demi sang 12/1 ?
There was talk of Ruby riding any second now at a preview night
 
Sky are 6 places for this race.

I added Barney Dwan at 8/1
 
Liammet said:
Anyone concerned that Barry Geraghty has apparently deserted any second now 6/1 fav for Demi sang 12/1 ?
There was talk of Ruby riding any second now at a preview night
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Mark Walsh has ridden him on 6 of his 8 races. Geraghty rode him once when unseated. It's not a negative for me.
 
I like the horse but am worried about Walsh he didn't really hit the frame at Cheltenham last year with some decent rides.
 
Folski said:
I like the horse but am worried about Walsh he didn't really hit the frame at Cheltenham last year with some decent rides.
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Didn't he get injured really early on and not take any of those decent rides?
 
Fancy rather be for this seems to jump left but no harm here and hoping for more improvement to come
 
Had to go back to the drawing board after today decs...

We're dealing with a unusual start to the festival with the ground coming up soft (potentially heavy). The majority of these in the race haven't come up against soft ground, whilst others would have come up against testing ground at cheltenham

So, I'm looking for a horse who has raced in these conditions, and bonus points goes to those who have achieved this at cheltenham

The horse which still out for me is BALLYHILL (20/1)

Firstly, the trainer attempted to win this race with Foxtail Hill who went off favourite on the day, but fell in the race. He then went to place in a grade 2 handicap race before returned back to Cheltenham the following season to beat Le Prezien. Foxtail won the Grade 3 handicap at the end of Jan before going to the festival. Trainer is looking to repeat this with Ballyhill who won the earlier Grade 3 handicap (course and distance).

His earlier form over fences was impressive, finishing behind the likes of Sceau Royal and North Field Harvey... again further his course form

I know this race has been won by those at the top of the weights, but I'm going back to my 'Winter' strategy and looking at those carrying less weight. It's going to a right test on Tuesday if the going remains soft/heavy and the additional 3lbs being taken off from the jockey will help!

He has won in testing conditions at Cheltenham, and he has done this in what I think was a (slightly) more competitive race than this.

He was then tested again at the end of Jan in similar conditions, this time in a very competitive race. He was putting in a quicker time than his win before, but then hit two fences - game over. I think that pace was very very strong, stronger than what he'll face in this novices handicap.

He has less question marks over some of the other novices whilst being 3-4 times the price! I'm on
 
Gibbo82 said:
Would soft ground be a concern for Barney?
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Fergal O'Brien just said that the ground will be fine for Barney and he's won on it before... it'll slow others down so he's hopeful!
 
Kevloaf said:
Fergal O'Brien just said that the ground will be fine for Barney and he's won on it before... it'll slow others down so he's hopeful!
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To be fair he isn't going to say anything different. I think it is a big concern because he will need to be at his best to win this and doubtful his best will coincide with this ground.
 
kinloch brae said:
To be fair he isn't going to say anything different. I think it is a big concern because he will need to be at his best to win this and doubtful his best will coincide with this ground.
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Why "wouldn't he say anything different"?

He could easily have said "unfortuantely the ground has gone against him but he'll run well"

Trainers do that all the time?


He's won on Soft and Heavy before. I don't see why Fergal would be lying?
I d think he's just not ground depedant, so if the trainer isn't concerned I don't see why we should be?
 
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