Novice Chasers 2027

[Quevega]

I think if they go down the 2 mile route they'd be making a mistake.
It looks a tougher division in the UK for a start.

I also think that he doesn't look scopey or classy enough for 2 miles at grade 1 level.
He also jumps low and economically when he meets one right. It usually helps to jump like that using less energy in the longer trips, especially for smaller types with less muscle in the front end. I think at 2 miles you generally need class and power up front.

Can obviously be outliers from time to time though.

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

I think they'd be mad to go 3 miles at this stage. Maybe the novice handicap will be his race this season, followed by the Manifesto.

 

[Odddog]

It will be interesting to see where they go next with Taurus Bay. They could go back in trip and up in grade for the Henry VIII at Sandown, at least that would tell them whether he can compete at the very top over 2 miles. Maybe the Scilly Isles Novices Chase, also at Sandown but half a mile further, might be a sensible target - late Jan or early Feb I think. Then on to Aintree for the Manifesto.

 

[Runragged]

Yeah, not convinced dropping back to 2m would be right. Maybe Xmas is a bit soon for stepping up to 3m. Wouldn't rule out BANC though considering the race has gone to some pacier types of late. Should be options to keep to 2 1/2m for now.

 

[Eggs]

Yeah, not convinced dropping back to 2m would be right. Maybe Xmas is a bit soon for stepping up to 3m. Wouldn't rule out BANC though considering the race has gone to some pacier types of late. Should be options to keep to 2 1/2m for now.

Pauling said: "He won his two novice hurdles last season, ran a mighty race in the gloom at Cheltenham and that race left its mark. I wanted him to go to the big occasion and get experience, we always knew he had a lot of ability.

"That was a good race, Ben said he took a blow.

"I was amazed, ours have just needed it getting into a battle. He hasn't had an away day, you wouldn't want to do too much early doors in the season.

"He's a quick horse, whether we go two or two-and-a-half we'll play it by ear."

Jones said: "He has gone below the radar, I've loved him from day dot. I said let's be brave and it happened.

"Very smart. Hopefully he can go onto bigger and better things."

 

[ComplyOrDie]

Disappointing from No Drama This End, but he looked like a 3m chaser and tried to do it the hard way on seasonal debut. I'd suggest he wasn't fully wound up, and I'll judge him over further next time out.

I can cash out for stakes back but not tempted to at this stage.

Regarding Taurus Bay I reckon he'll end up in the handicap chase myself. Got some early prize money in the kitty now work on that mark. Could obviously end up wrong though.

 

[Benjy23]

Aye, you just run in the two and half miler, even off top weight don't you... Gold Dancer was 2nd off top weight last year (albeit with a claimer). Even if beaten by one better handicapped it's the best option for them.

Bit early for this talk but looks like one that's be out classed in an Arkle and outstayed in a BANC.

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

Aye, you just run in the two and half miler, even off top weight don't you... Gold Dancer was 2nd off top weight last year (albeit with a claimer). Even if beaten by one better handicapped it's the best option for them.

Bit early for this talk but looks like one that's be out classed in an Arkle and outstayed in a BANC.

Koktail Divin should have done exactly the same last season.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

Aye, you just run in the two and half miler, even off top weight don't you... Gold Dancer was 2nd off top weight last year (albeit with a claimer). Even if beaten by one better handicapped it's the best option for them.

Bit early for this talk but looks like one that's be out classed in an Arkle and outstayed in a BANC.

Just think if it's a horses trip then it's his trip. A 4f swing either way at the top level and even lower level can make a big difference. If they had just left the JLT, or whatever it was called, as it was then we wouldn't have to have these conversations.

 

[Benjy23]

Koktail Divin should have done exactly the same last season.

Aye, wouldn't have even been top weight either.

Caldwell Potter must have been on a reasonably high mark the year before as well. And a few more lb wouldn't have stopped him either.

If you've got a novice that's best over two and a half then I think you just ignore it being a handicap. Come back for the Ryanair following year...