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Going Chasing / Staying Hurdling.

Has anyone heard anything about whether Alaphilippe might be going chasing next season or not? Although he was beaten by quite a way in this year's Albert Bartlett it appeared as though it was all happening a bit quickly for him on that ground, and he was staying on well at the end.

He's not currently quoted in the betting that I can see, but might be of interest in the NH Chase if it came up softer next year?
 
sounds like thyme hill goes stayers

Hobbs said: "We'll have to think about it as he's schooled very well over fences. But I suppose when you're at the top end in one division you would stay over hurdles, I'd have thought."
 
fatherjohn said:
sounds like thyme hill goes stayers

Hobbs said: "We'll have to think about it as he's schooled very well over fences. But I suppose when you're at the top end in one division you would stay over hurdles, I'd have thought."
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Makes complete sense.
 
Lobos said:
If they don't skip Cheltenham again. Worked this year ?
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They were minding him this year looking forward to going over fences

Id think hed only miss the festival next year if he is shown not to be one of the top UK contenders
 
Birds Nest said:
Hats off to the skeltons/owners, how refreshing to hear a trainer come out and tell the punters what their plans are for the horse. MD might come out and not be able to jump a twig, and plans might change for a number of reasons but keeping us in the loop is something that warrants respect. Well done Dan.
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Great shoutout Birdsnest (great Forum name too), I love to see targets and aims directly made to the public, it makes it more of an inclusive sport, for punters.

There’s a great desire to know where the stars are heading for.
 
Birds Nest said:
Hats off to the skeltons/owners, how refreshing to hear a trainer come out and tell the punters what their plans are for the horse. MD might come out and not be able to jump a twig, and plans might change for a number of reasons but keeping us in the loop is something that warrants respect. Well done Dan.
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I agree, but Dan hardly deserves a Pulitzer for telling us that massive unit goes over fences!! Looks all over a future chaser. Will be very interesting to see how he gets on. We see trainers change their minds re trip in the days/weeks leading up to Cheltenham, so I wouldn't pay too much attention to the intermediate trip comment. It gives Dan (like he needs it) leeway to go up or down, depending on how the horse does. Worth noting My Drogo won at Aintree as a 6yo not 5yo so I imagine the dream is novice chasing at 7 then Gold Cup at 8. He's by Milan and what a sire. Says 511 winners from 1158 runners since 1988 on the RP (which seems stupidly good). He has produced speedsters (like Jezki) but tends to produce far more that want staying trips. To me that's what My Drogo looks like, but they have noted he is quite highly strung, so perhaps his temperament and how he takes to chasing will dictate what trip suits him best.
 
charlie said:
I agree, but Dan hardly deserves a Pulitzer for telling us that massive unit goes over fences!! Looks all over a future chaser. Will be very interesting to see how he gets on. We see trainers change their minds re trip in the days/weeks leading up to Cheltenham, so I wouldn't pay too much attention to the intermediate trip comment. It gives Dan (like he needs it) leeway to go up or down, depending on how the horse does. Worth noting My Drogo won at Aintree as a 6yo not 5yo so I imagine the dream is novice chasing at 7 then Gold Cup at 8. He's by Milan and what a sire. Says 511 winners from 1158 runners since 1988 on the RP (which seems stupidly good). He has produced speedsters (like Jezki) but tends to produce far more that want staying trips. To me that's what My Drogo looks like, but they have noted he is quite highly strung, so perhaps his temperament and how he takes to chasing will dictate what trip suits him best.
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As they are 'minding' him next season do you not have it in the back of your head (like me) that he might miss Cheltenham again and run at Aintree in a soft race again over 2 or 3 miles and then take in the early GC trials before going for the big one in 2023?
 
If they miss Cheltenham with him again they might aswell change his name to My Waiting Patiently.
 
Priceiskey said:
Agree if he doesn’t go to the festival I’ll be shocked. Not messing about with a horse of this calibre.
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Shocked? I wouldn't be. His target is the GC not the Marsh or RSA. I do hope he turns up as we all want the best horses there but he doesn't need to.
 
Lobos said:
Shocked? I wouldn't be. His target is the GC not the Marsh or RSA. I do hope he turns up as we all want the best horses there but he doesn't need to.
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Skelton needs to try and win a graded race at Cheltenham before thinking about a Gold Cup.

To be fair to him. I think he knows and understands that too.

And is not stupid or arrogant enough to think (if the Gold cup is the eventual aim) that they could skip Cheltenham in his novice year by design.
 
At some point you have to race a competitive race at Cheltenham. Is the Gold Cup the place to do that for the first time?



side note - Any news on if Aspire Tower will go chasing?
 
Hurricane fly said:
At some point you have to race a competitive race at Cheltenham. Is the Gold Cup the place to do that for the first time?



side note - Any news on if Aspire Tower will go chasing?
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Not heard anything Fly.

But the horse would be up against it on his breeding/pedigree IMO.
Cheltenham championship races are rarely won by the speedier flat breds or flat breds at all for that matter. Especially the arkle.
They simply get outstayed when it matters.
 
Hurricane fly said:
At some point you have to race a competitive race at Cheltenham. Is the Gold Cup the place to do that for the first time?



side note - Any news on if Aspire Tower will go chasing?
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There's a few races at Cheltenham before the GC to try him in . Not necessarily in his Novice season.

....and no. What about James the Militant?
 
Lobos said:
There's a few races at Cheltenham before the GC to try him in . Not necessarily in his Novice season.
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Key word is competitive, who’s he going to face from this side of the water? Fiddlerontheroof?
 
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