March ‘25 Yankee

[Eggs]

As one Festival finishes we start to consider next March. Already plenty of discussion in 2026 Prices thread, so let’s see if we can come up with 4 selections for next year after analysing the last week.

Maybe a changing of the guard at Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle level and I think there could be some Arkle/BANC suggestions. The Bumper crop seem a bit underwhelming, so let’s have some nominations.

A fine effort from Wayward Lad in the Daily Yankees, we could do with a Captain for this month and he’s in a bit of form if he’s up for it :eagerness:

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

The Ryanair is a real dodgy race antepost, let alone a year away!! But imo Jango Baie is as near a certain runner as you can get this far out.
16/1 is reasonable imo.

 

[Eggs]

….i’ll nominate Wendigo for BANC at 25-1.

Before he ran yesterday, I already had him in my notebook as a chaser to follow following comments made by many on here. He had a dreadful passage in AB yet still managed to plug on into 5th, given his trainer he’s most likely to remain under the radar throughout the summer and I’ll be putting him in a few multiples.

I notice Exar Essay gives him a mention elsewhere.

 

[AaronLad]

The bumper crop might seem a bit underwhelming as you say eggs so it could be worth chancing one from last years bumper.

We had Romeo coolio finish 3rd in the Supreme, the yellow clay finish 2nd in the turners and jasmin de vaux win the albert bartlett. All finished in the top 6 from the 2024 champion bumper.

With the benefit of hindsight it now looks a pretty strong renewal, obviously there's a fair share of disappointments but the front end of that race look above average.

Now this suggestion comes with risks having not seen this horse out this season.
But I think that also has its advantages.
We have the comments made by Gordon elliott in his stable tours for this season.

Sporting life
"He was placed in the Cheltenham bumper. He pulled a muscle so won't be out as early as the rest of them, it could be around another month before I run him. He might be more of a stayer than a two-miler but is a nice horse and shows a lot of class."

Racing post
"He pulled a muscle a few weeks ago, so he might not get out in a maiden hurdle until Christmas. He won his first two bumpers and wasn't beaten far in the Champion Bumper. I think he'll appreciate further than two miles, so you would imagine the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham might be made for him. He's talented."

attheraces
"He was a very good horse in bumpers last season and will go novice hurdling this season. I’d say he’ll be one that will step up in trip as the season goes on. He pulled a muscle early in his prep, so he might not start off until around Christmas time. He could be very good."

So all of these mention that a step up in trip will be of benefit to him, they also all mention a pulled muscle - so nothing to serious and I think he should retain all his ability, they all mention to varying degrees that he's a talented horse.

Im not sure which race to suggest right now but i'd rule out the supreme based on the above.

He's 33/1 for the turners and albert bartlett.

 

[Old Vic]

Rocky’s Diamond 25/1 for Stayers is interesting- ran well this year and should improve for age

 

[Eggs]

….are you suggesting Jalon Doudairies AaronLad ?

 

[Eggs]

Rocky’s Diamond 25/1 for Stayers is interesting- ran well this year and should improve for age

….i took 40-1 for him after the race but somebody suggested the plan beforehand was to go chasing, saying that I’m not cashing out just yet.

 

[Old Vic]

….i took 40-1 for him after the race but somebody suggested the plan beforehand was to go chasing, saying that I’m not cashing out just yet.

great price - maybe a to win any race bet in time

 

[Eggs]

…..any GC thoughts? Maybe Ruby Walsh is biased but he said the best equine performance of the week was from F2F and Mullins seemed clear about the intention to step him up. As much as Lecky did me a huge favour, my current thinking is Mullins won’t mop up another Ryanair with F2F.

i suppose F2F does come with a bit of risk but I can see him starting the season with GC target; currently 6-1, might be worth getting him in an early Yankee.

 

[AaronLad]

….are you suggesting Jalon Doudairies AaronLad ?

Yes eggs, sorry I hadnt realised I hadnt put his name

 

[CJW]

…..any GC thoughts? Maybe Ruby Walsh is biased but he said the best equine performance of the week was from F2F and Mullins seemed clear about the intention to step him up. As much as Lecky did me a huge favour, my current thinking is Mullins won’t mop up another Ryanair with F2F.

i suppose F2F does come with a bit of risk but I can see him starting the season with GC target; currently 6-1, might be worth getting him in an early Yankee.

In the end I could easily see him in the Ryanair again. He's a back for both races kind of horse.

 

[Eggs]

Yes eggs, sorry I hadnt realised I hadnt put his name

….if he ran at Aintree or Punchestown could it impact his novice status?

 

[CJW]

William Munny 16/1 worth a mention for the arkle, all being well that's the target and price is still fair enough.

 

[Eggs]

William Munny 16/1 worth a mention for the arkle, all being well that's the target and price is still fair enough.

….decent shout, only 12-1 with 365 & Lads & 10-1 Hills. Lulamba at 12s also worth considering as an Arkle option.

 

[Exar Essay]

I think Wendigo is a good shout for the BANC. But I think Kitzbuhel at 33/1 is a smashing bet. He races like he wants further and jumps like a chaser. A half brother to Al Boum Photo too. He’s one I could see running very well at Aintree and getting cut heavily.

 

[Durham Edition]

How about Kopek De Mee for the Arkle at 50's owner said they thought they had a good Arkle horse and plan was to go chasing before the injury so to have a race name checked meaning this could be the target.

 

[jrjr]

I think Wendigo is a good shout for the BANC. But I think Kitzbuhel at 33/1 is a smashing bet. He races like he wants further and jumps like a chaser. A half brother to Al Boum Photo too. He’s one I could see running very well at Aintree and getting cut heavily.

Kitzbuhel is a very promising horse for the BANC, WPM alluded to this after his last run. Paraphrasing but ‘love a step up in trip, no problem getting three miles, real potential as a novice chaser’.

However, as far as the Yankee goes he is only 33’s with Unibet and they’ll cut that in a heartbeat after one or two people back it. I’d be surprised if that price is still there at the end of the month. Would need to be considered at the more general price of 20’s (in my opinion).

 

[darlojim]

Inothewayurthinkin GC

F2F Ryanair

Lulamba Arkle

Kitzbuhel BANC

Actually think Romeo BANC 25s wouldn't be a bad call, could see Gordon stepping him up next season



There are some brutal prices about mind, look at the Mares Chase market fully 1 year out..

Brighterdaysahead 4/1
Dino 4/1
The big westerner 5/1
Only by Night 8/1
Spindleberry 12s

what on earth is that.

Jade/Kargese would probably interest me at the 25s, 20s but which one would go who knows. Think Kenny said Kargese could but she'd have to settle. Originally Jade was going this year prior to setbacks so tricky one to work out

 

[Exar Essay]

Inothewayurthinkin GC

F2F Ryanair

Lulamba Arkle

Kitzbuhel BANC

Actually think Romeo BANC 25s wouldn't be a bad call, could see Gordon stepping him up next season



There are some brutal prices about mind, look at the Mares Chase market fully 1 year out..

Brighterdaysahead 4/1
Dino 4/1
The big westerner 5/1
Only by Night 8/1
Spindleberry 12s

what on earth is that.

Jade/Kargese would probably interest me at the 25s, 20s but which one would go who knows. Think Kenny said Kargese could but she'd have to settle. Originally Jade was going this year prior to setbacks so tricky one to work out

Kenny said both could go. I’ve backed both. Essentially being on one at 10/1ish is fine and could be on both.

 

[Benjy23]

Majborough could be a Ryanair type for next year meaning Fact to File goes GC maybe... Even though JP has just won it.