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I would agree with you in saying that most of our promising novice chasers will probably be sent to Cheltenham. However, I was merely saying that it would not surprise me if one or possibly two of our high profile novices swerved Cheltenham in favour of Fairyhouse.
Take Noel Meade for example. If Nicanor and Aran Concerto return succesfully and prove their potential over fences, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see one of them kept at home for Fairyhouse rather than both of them running at Cheltenham.
There is a precedent for it. In 2006 both Justified and In Compliance ran in the Powers instead of the Arkle before dropping back in trip for the Swordlestown at the Punchestown festival.
Most connections will most likely be attracted by the lure of Cheltenham though. But I would not be getting too stuck into any of the fancy antepost prices about the Irish novices until the trainer confirms that the horses long term target is Cheltenham.
Indeed Imperial, Big Zeb certainly reaped the rewards by sidestepping the festival last year, as did your two examples.
I was just giving two examples of connections who I think would run in the 4 miler if it guaranteed them getting a run across the water!
Indeed Imperial, Big Zeb certainly reaped the rewards by sidestepping the festival last year, as did your two examples.
I was just giving two examples of connections who I think would run in the 4 miler if it guaranteed them getting a run across the water!
You mean like Skys The Limit (trained by O’Grady) missing Cheltenham last year and going to Fairyhouse instead?
Probably common sense prevailing there Aidan when you consider he was tailed off in his prep race if he was to make Cheltenham so even O’Grady had an inkling that he wouldn’t be winning.
But if you want to be pedantic I think Clopf is a better example, 2 runs – falling over the line on his debut and falling at the last when probably going to win his subsequent start, following an abortive hurdle campaign, considered good enough to contest the Arkle which if memory serves me right ended him tipping up at the first and subsequently being pulled up in Fairyhouse. That definitely didn’t have the look of tilting at windmills.
Speaking of Fairyhouse, the Drinmore on 30 November is shaping up to be a right cracker. Trafford Lad, Forpadydeplasterer and Tranquil Sea are all to be targeted here next according to their respective trainers.
Throw in possibles like Aran Concerto, Ebaziyan, Wins Now and maybe a Nicholls raider and you’ve got the makings of a great race.
Probably common sense prevailing there Aidan when you consider he was tailed off in his prep race if he was to make Cheltenham so even O’Grady had an inkling that he wouldn’t be winning.
But if you want to be pedantic I think Clopf is a better example, 2 runs – falling over the line on his debut and falling at the last when probably going to win his subsequent start, following an abortive hurdle campaign, considered good enough to contest the Arkle which if memory serves me right ended him tipping up at the first and subsequently being pulled up in Fairyhouse. That definitely didn’t have the look of tilting at windmills.
Edward O’Grady spoke around Christmas time that it was unlikely STL would run at Cheltenham…long before his disappointing run.
Clopf was well entitled to run in the Arkle (as his price of 11/1 for the race suggests). O’Grady’s record at Cheltenham speaks volumes for the type of horse he brings to the festival.
Chasing Cars is out for the season according to Jessie Harrington’s stable tour in the RP
Dissapointing news.
I’ve been a fan of Tranquil Sea for a while now and was suitably impressed by his debut over fences at Cork. Seemed to take to fences really well in what didn’t look a bad race (the victory of Footy Facts at Thurles actually indirectly boosts the form, as Footy Facts was runner-up Baltiman at Tipperary).
I had actually thought he might make an Arkle prospect given that he travels well and has a decent turn of foot (though he doesn’t tend to do a lot in front), but who am I to argue with O’Grady!
Really liked Footy Facts win yesterday at Thurles. Travelled well up the inner, jumped soundly and put the race to bed when asked. Certain to appreciate 3 miles and has a really progressive look. Certain to take high rank in the ranks of our staying novices this Winter IMO.
Agreed, carvillshill. I’ve been looking forward to him over fences since his early days as a novice over hurdles. He lost his way for a while due to injury but looks set to make up into a decent staying novice.
Tyner is under no illusions with regards to his forte either, as he intends stepping him up to 3 miles right away. Ideally, he wants soft ground as well.
Thought Made In Taipan did that nicely there in a decent Beginners at Naas. He’s an interesting proposition going left handed. Didn’t think Rare Bob did an awful lot for Trafford Lad’s form. Couldn’t understand why they were dropping him back in trip today though. Thought myself at Punchestown he’d appreciate a bit further.
I have always liked Aran Concerto and you could not be anything but impressed with the way he won today despite the long lay off and bad ground.
I know he did not beat a lot but he oozed class.
Was good to see him back. Got a bit tired in the ground and was a bit low at a few fences but he was entitled to be a bit rusty after so long off the track. He might justify all the hype that surrounded him as a novice hurdler over the bigger obstacles.
He’s in the Drinmore and god knows how they’re going to price that one up with all the intended runners.
Everything Aran Concerto achieved over hurdles was a bonus, He really does look a chaser of the highest order! i just hope he"s not too dependant on soft ground! Certainly looks like he would handle a quicker surface and 3m would suit him even more!
Aran Concerto looked the proverbial good thing before the race at Navan today – despite his long lay off. Course and ground conditions were ideal and he won with authority. He is very much a soft ground horse ( the softer the better) and positively revels when the going is like that. Not the same horse when the ground is firmer.
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Trafford Lad and Siegemaster clash at Punchestown (1:50) tomorrow. Interesting little race this. Trafford Lad was dissappointing on his chase debut (promoted from 2nd by the stewards) and Rare Bob didn’t do a lot for the form last weekend, but he should improve a lot for the extra 1/2 mile in this race.
Has to give 6lbs to Siegemaster though and this horse should relish the heavy going. Was well above average over hurdles, 4th in the 3 mile novice hurdle at Cheltenham, and is very well bred being a half brother to Our Vic and Commercial Flyer. Hacked up in bottomless conditions at Thurles last time out and Dessie Hughes thinks a lot of him.
Should be an informative race looking ahead to the Drinmore.
Lot to like about Trafford Lad’s win yesterday. Looks like a real contender for the Sun Alliance. With the exception of Breedsbreeze I haven’t really been overly impressed with any of the English trained horses that are prominent in the betting for that race. The 20/1 available about Trafford Lad is quite generous.
Siegemaster’s run can be ignored given that Davy reported that his saddle slipped so it was probably quite a decent effort to get as close as he did in the circumstances.
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