They never said he was definitely going for the Arkle. They gave warnings he may not.

McCoy has advised them the Arkle will be too soon for him and who are people with 50s to argue with him it is obvious he has the horses best interests at heart and the people with 50s dont.

If AP thinks Starluck would be better served by wating for another Noivce race and then to Aintree, rather than going straight to the Arkle on the back of one run, then that is exactly what he genuinely believes. To think he'd want to divert that horse somewhere else just because he might be riding a JPMcManus horse in the race is cynical to the extreme. It would be deeply biased and unfair on his part.

I feel sorry for punters who backed him, given then indications from trainer, but before he ran we all knew he would have had only one run over fences, which is not ideal preparation for an Arkle.

Well they are putting their cash before the horses welfare if they are completely and arrogantly ignoring AP McCoy's advice to connections that the Arkle will come too soon. Dress it up as you want it seems you all know more than the best jumps jockey to have ever ridden ... still the airbags on here know no bounds when it comes to pocket talking.

Nice one Coupers. What about the Arkle? Bit harder?

Ditto. I backed Fin, Flat Out, Thousand Stars and Starluck at various intervals. Looks like my first thought will be the only runner. Hazards of Ante post.

^^Your tenner is in the post.

Good morning Bud. Did you see my earlier post regards Georgio Quercus and Bellvano?
It looks like Georgio goes for the Grand Annual while Bellvano, who NH thinks could be an Arkle horse, schools before racing at Kempton.
I wonder if the outcome of that schooling session will reflect on the Starluck situation?

Of course I totaly agree Brownes.
Apparently he has changed his user name several times to get around being blocked which, in my opinion is crazy.
If you want to be involved in a constructive and rewarding debate where opposing views are put forward in a positive manner, surely there would be a lot to be gained. This character is just destructive, negative and ridiculing for no obvious reasons.
I'm a punter so I know first hand what it is like to be wrong but I like to think I gain substantially from promoting and defending my views before the event, then evaluating them after the event.

Eric is away with the Fairies

Sin my thoughts were just that, thoughts.
Starluck's trainer said he wanted the jockey who rode him in his first chase to ride him in the Arkle. I have no idea whether Bellvano's participation or otherwise has anything to do with it.
Let's just say AP told the trainer he was trialing Bellvano today so could not give a decision until afterwards that may go some way to explain why they won't make their decision until tomorrow or Monday. After all he met the owner yesterday.
Also if he wants to keep to the same jockey the fact Bellvano might run in the Arkle could sway him to missing the Arkle with Starluck.
I'm not saying anything scurilous is going on with AP, far from it, but Starluck did bolt up on horrible ground and Aintree is also a very difficult chase course.
Add to that Bellvano may be going with only 1 chase run under his belt and then he was beaten.
Add to that NH in his stable tour said Bellvano was really tricky and benefitted greatly from AP being aboard so JP will be reluctant to let him get off.

Hope you understand my reasoning.

They are galloping Bellvano today at Kempton at 12.45 before making a decision, Brownes.
I don't know if you knew.

I think AP's other possible ride was likely to be Georgio Quercus who now goes for the Grand Annual. Who knows, if Bellvano doesn't put himself in the picture today the possibility of Starluck running may improve?

This is the strongest Arkle for years.

Realt Dubh is a dual Grade 1 winner over 2 miles fences yet is only the 4th fav. In a normal year he would be fav.
There is a horse in the race who Ruby Walsh thinks could be special and according to the trainer has an outstanding chance in Ghizao. You have Medermit and Captain Chris who were well clear, head and shoulders better than the rest of the field in a Graded race last time.

Browne's Gazette will obviously last ten minutes antepost on here if he calls that a weak Arkle he must walk around with his eyes closed and his single brain cell switched off.

This Arkle will produce the best winner since Azertyuiop imo.

It is really only possible to say how strong an Arkle was sometime after the event. However, speculating, this does not look a strong Arkle field. Captain Chris is clearly not a atar, Finian's Rainbow is clearly no world beater, Medermit looks ok but I'd be astonished if that progressed to running with a chance in a Queen Mother. The race, to my single brain cell, does not look a vintage renewal; time will tell. However what I won't do, should I be proved incorrect, is hide for a little bit then change my username and come back as eric-morris!!

Eric, the next time you post something sensible will be the first time.

eric ...... surely you are not turning this into a 'my bet is bigger than your bet' topic. Each to their own regarding whether they want to risk £2, £222 or £22,222. However, I will state as a valued commission earning customer of BF I do tend to get invited to every meeting going so please don't attempt to patronise me. Also, I don't jump on bandwagons either, it is just that I don't agree with you and your desperate punt on Captain Chris for the Arkle; give it up, it's sunk fella. Good luck whatever though, it is all about opinions.

Eric, could you explain your latest post please. Also, weren't you having a dig at somebody yesterday for using 'childish' emoticons. Now, attempt to grow up little man.

It was in response to your 'why most of you resort to tenners at 50s' quote. Complete t1t. Now stop winding me up. You'd be better off going to watch your Captain Chris demonstrate at long odds on just why he isn't an Arkle horse.

fk me give a monkey access to a keyboard and the internet ... result ... a monkey with a keyboard on the internet

Eric, you do make me laugh! It is so obvious that you are now seething as your latest anti-post bet has gone west. You should have backed it for The Jewson fella; it was always obvious it wanted more than 2 miles. Cheer up and move on.