2012 Arkle

I totally agree with backing Al Ferof. I am on too 8s and 7s. That was solid as i can’t see him not placing and as you say if itfalls like the supreme novice then it is perfect at those odds.

Sprinter is too short for me. So a no bet but i do think he could be a superstar and might well murder them.

There are simply too many ifs and buts. It will be fascinating and i suspect al ferof and sprinter will both be hammering their fair share of winners from next year nd different distances.

Al Ferof- Handles the Hill. Has Stamina. Provent to get round in a more frantic larger field over chases (however he was taken around wide in the vc and avoided all trouble). Did put in a couple of slow jumps which cost him momentum and a few lengths, no room for that at the frantic speed. Should get round and should be running on at the end. Might get too outpaced early on and force an error – only concern.

Sprinter – No real evidence of how he will handle the larger frantic field. Emptied around the last flight in the supreme and might not handle the hill. He was very immature last year and would have stregthened up. He also plugged on for 3rd whereas if he didn’t handle the hill he would have faded completely(proves he will battle). His jumping looks very sharp and he might be taking 1/2 lengths out of contenders every jump. His speed rating at kempton was monstrous. He might be better suited to speed tracks and undulations.

at the prices al ferof ew defo. Sprinte might murder him before they go on to great things next year which is more important really. there is money to be made on both i am pretty sure of that.

To say Al Ferof is the slouch some are making out on here….there was nothing wrong with the time he posted over Arkle CD distance when winning comfortably from Astracad on gd/sft ground in November!

His preparation has been absolutely perfect for me and I think it’s safe to say we’ll see an even better horse turn up on Arkle day with Paul Nicholls on record as saying he’s a much better horse in the spring!

Course form is rock solid….he’s shown on the clock over CD he’s very capable…..on better ground he will go better…..he’s a spring horse….ideal prep…..main man in the saddle (IMO)….

An absolute banker to place at the very, very least for me!

Lets see how the ‘hype’ horse goes on Saturday (if on)…

….and for those who says he’s a stayer and has no speed….his record over 2 miles over timber is 4/4.

From HurdyGurdyman to Zarkava it’s interesting to read the different opinions. As I have said from the 2nd post on this thread I think Sprinter Sacre will win it & that is purely based on the levels I believe he can reach. I don’t think he’s been asked to do anything very seriously until this season and now he’s thriving & improving over fences. Last year he very much impressed me over hurdles as he did in his bumpers but he really has been wrapped up in cotton wool. Even watching his Supreme run he very much looked the unfinished article almost like a Stoute maiden on the flat. Pushed out well by McCoy 1 slap and that was it. Still managed to come 3rd after clouting the last. Now a lot of people have held that run against this horse but for me it was a huge positive. A big rangey, gangley horse who despite his inexperience & weak frame still managed to run a very good race.

Ha ha yes I suppose he is rather strong with the way he puts them but tbh until the race has finished most of the views shared on the thread are very valid. And I do enjoy reading how different people believe in different scenarios. I’m very strong on SS but it wouldn’t really surprise me if even something like a Cue Card or a Kid Cassidy won the race. Certainly have plenty of respect for Al Ferof & Peddler’s.

Clearly he’s a quick horse but he hasn’t got a turn of foot some others have. More of a sustained run. The fact he ran such a fast time proves that he maintained a very strong gallop. I think he can do that again in the Arkle tbh and the faster they go to a certain extent the more it will suit him.

Extraordinary amount of cash for Peddler’s Cross today, now into 3/1. Was 8/1 after being beaten by Sprinter Sacre at Kempton. 46 days later & 5 points shorter. Al Ferof’s only 11/2 in a couple of places as well.

Most unusual. I wonder if negative news about SS is imminent?

What? No. His Betfair price is completely solid at 3.25.

Any theories on such an accelerated price contraction for PC then? Even a superb piece of homework would normally only result in a reduction of two to three points in a market where the favourite was so solid – especially with form in the book over the ‘contractee’.

It seems very odd to me.

Just noticed and thought I would comment. Maybe no faith in Sprinter Sacre being able to run at Newbury Friday? Doesn’t seem much logic for the plunge at this moment time, seems quite puzzling.