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I’m also with AL FEROF, just have this suspicion that SS’s jumping hasn’t really been tested and the Arkle is a much different proposition to a 3 runner race at Kempton (against an out of rhythm Peddlers Cross) or a 6 runner field at Doncaster. On the other hand, AF has the experience, buttressed with the VCC run against classy older horses where his jumping was tested, has Cheltenham form, and looks to have that bit of stamina which will help in this race. He accounted for SS in last year’s SNH and I don’t see why the form would be reversed, as I believe both horses have progressed well since. PC made a bad mistake at the first fence at Kempton which effectively gave the race to SS, but jumped pretty well after that – Cheltenham is more his track and is a pretty solid bet to achieve a place.
He accounted for SS in last year’s SNH and I don’t see why the form would be reversed
Sprinter Sacre is a much, much better chaser than hurdler. Al Ferof is marginally a better chaser than hurdler. Simples.
Nothing like a good old sweeping statement based on no facts and just one man’s opinion to try and convince the entire forum base that you’re right.
To each his own, but I’m firmly in the AL FEROF club based on what I’ve seen so far. SS has just had one good run over fences IMO (that Doncaster run was a non-event for me). One swallow doesn’t make a summer, and 9/4 seems very short.
Got to agree there. Although looking impressive in what he’s done, Sprinter Sacre has achieved very little. I’d expect him to win on Saturday, and people will marvel at how he ‘beat his older rivals’ unlike Al Ferof, where again, given the opposition he will have again achieved very little given that Al Ferof was given a much sterner test.
Al Ferof will be at peak fitness for the festival, and as already stated will love climbing the hill like he did last year, roaring past Sprinter Sacre on his way. Honestly, I envisage a similar finish next month.
Nothing wrong with a vivid imagination Boz but there’s a lot wrong with throwing money down the drain
You’re living in the past IMO.
Like many novices they can be made to look fast because others fail to see a race through and too many confuse that with a horse who really has a turn of foot. Alferof has shown in both his last two races he simply is not top class and is as one paced as they come. The second the tempo quickened in his last race he was beaten and gave no indication there’s a booster tucked away under the bonnet.
He couldn’t get a blow in against Somersby and more importantly Sprinter Sacre’s stable companion Finian’s Rainbow. If you think they are fast wait until the Arkle and the likes of SS and PC go flying down the hill…….Al Ferof will be left standing like a tree and won’t get anywhere near them hill or no hill mark my words and if I am wrong you can call me fool in every post you make for a week
Didn’t you hear the reply Barry Geharty gave when asked if Sprinter Sacre would beat Finians Rainbow?
He asked how many stones would SS have to give him
Ah that’s good, because Nicky’s never one to say something whilst secretly thinking something else.
Most honest man in racing?
Mark Prescott. Trains for Cheveley Park and is a knight, so must be honest. Like Sir Fred Goodwin…
Al FEROF appears to be stamina laden, which IMO is a good thing to have up your sleeve in the Arkle – people are too obsessed with speed at Cheltenham; having enough stamina is equally important.
If Sprinter Sacre gets far enough ahead to hold on I will be dumbfounded! Yes of course he is a good horse and yes of course he has improved BUT will he be able to show the improvement needed to run up the hill? For me NO at present, maybe he will convince the ‘non believers (me included) this week-end
Just hope the meeting goes ahead or we could have some very strange results cometh March
Whichever way you look at it, this is the race that everybody can’t wait to see.
The best horse in terms of how impressive the jumping was and turn of speed shown has to be Sprinter Sacre. This horse has captured the imagination of the racing world and could be a superstar in the making. Be very very afraid.
The horse that loves Cheltenham and has the best hurdling form is Peddlars Cross, I thought he should have gone out in price to around 8/1 after he was well beaten by Sprinter Sacre, so the fact that his price has held up well intimates he could narrow the gap come Cheltenham, Be very afraid.
Cue card has done nothing wrong but he still has his knockers, his form in the book is very good running Bobs Worth to a short head giving half a stone and beating For Non Stop by further and more easily than Al Ferof did. Be Afraid.
Menorah has shown mixed form over fences but he has a big engine and could put it altogether on the day. Be slightly worried.
Al Ferof is high class and consistent but clearly lacks the turn of foot that will be needed against the speed merchants in this years race, I cannot give him much chance unless the groung gets very soft an d even then only a slight chance. No fear here.
What baffles me is how someone can give Al Ferof "no chance". Even if you don’t personally fancy him, its obvious he has some chance. He’s run to the highest mark of any novice over two miles this season. Both Sprinter and Peddlers have to improve to beat him. Now there is a good chance that this will happen, but as it stands Al Ferof has the best form on offer. He clearly has some sort of chance.
And he’ll win imo!
Al Ferof is high class and consistent but clearly lacks the turn of foot that will be needed against the speed merchants in this years race, I cannot give him much chance unless the groung gets very soft an d even then only a slight chance. No fear here.
I thought it was quite obvious that Al Ferof simply idled once he got the lead at Sandown, and it was nothing to do with a supposed ‘lack of turn of foot’. At Ascot I was wasn’t expecting much more than I saw as Nicholls was mid-way through his worst month of the year, and he obviously wasn’t trained to the minute. He’ll be in completely different order in March and will fly past Sprinter Sacre up the hill IMO.
if I am wrong you can call me fool in every post you make for a week
With pleasure HGM
Sprinter Sacrre has only had one run at Cheltenham and one run is just not enough to make any solid assumptions as to whether or not he gets up the hill. Master Minded didn’t get up the hill last year either, didn’t stop him winning two Champion Chases. Cue Card flew up the hill in his bumper, yet in two races since then he’s appeared not to get up it.
For what it’s worth I think he’ll get up the hill no problem, but so will Al Ferof and Peddlers Cross. I backed Peddlers last October but right now I’m finding it hard to separate the three. Bog Warrior could be the fly in the ointment if he runs.
It is not so much a solid assumption that Sprinter Sacre won’t get the hill, it’s more a statement saying that Al Ferof will thrive upon it. Arkles are often won by more staying types than out-and-out 2 mile speedsters and I just think Al Ferof ticks all the right boxes.
Disagree with that statement BOZ. The Arkle is usually won by future champion chasers, if there is not one present then the stamina horse takes over.
Moscow, Azert, Voy, Chief all nailed it before being serious 2 milers.
Tough call.
Disagree with that statement BOZ. The Arkle is usually won by future champion chasers, if there is not one present then the stamina horse takes over.
Moscow, Azert, Voy, Chief all nailed it before being serious 2 milers.
Tough call.
True enough Sketti, can’t argue with you there. A lot does come down to last years’ SNH, whereby I can’t see a solid enough reason why the form should be reversed. Al Ferof, much like last season has had tepid mid season form, as many have pointed out, but I believe he will be 100% at it next month.
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