Female ..

Looking at his run last Sunday, to my eye it looked like he wants further than 2 miles- off the bridle earlier but staying on.

Sang Bleu and Finians Rainbow go head to head tomorrow at Newbury. Will be an interesting race with SB receiving the weight. I do wonder if SB is actually Nicholls real Arkle contender. I am not convinced, despite backing him, that Royal Charm will go for the race.

On the subject of Royal Charm, his next possible target was mooted as being the Henry VIII at Sandown, which is where Medermit runs next too.

Aye. He got better as the race went on. Happy with my 33/1 for sure.

Finian's Rainbow was sent off the 2-5 favourite on his chase debut. He was last seen finishing fifthin the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but demonstrated plenty of aptitude for the larger obstacles with a generally decent round of jumping.

Stan James left Finian's Rainbow unchanged at 14-1 for the Arkle Chase, which appears to be the target, as  winning trainer Nicky Henderson said: "It's almost certain we will stay at two miles, the Arkle is there. I hope he's top class.


Nicky Henderson: possibly top class

 
 

"He was pretty tidy for a very big horse and put in some spectacular jumps."


With only three runners in attendance, tactics looked like playing a key part in the race, and Geraghty took the initiative, setting off at a decent pace, and encouraging the seven-year-old to attack his fences, which he did with gusto, particularly at the water jump.

Noel Fehily asked Sang Bleu to keep close tabs on the leader, with Hell's Bay detached in third.

At the fourth and then again six out Finian's Rainbow was slightly untidy as befitting a novice, but Geraghty never surrendered the lead and it was Fehily who cracked first, beginning to push at his mount rounding the final turn.

The Paul Nicholls-trained runner was unable to put up a challenge down the home straight, weakening at three out, which left Hell's Bay in pursuit.

However despite closing down to within three lengths of Finian's Rainbow, Sam Twiston-Davies was unable to land a blow, and Geraghty extended his lead comfortably at the finish.

i'd be disappointed if he was this seasons riverside theatre

Riverside Theatre...nearly choked

Medermit and Celestial Halo are 50/1 chances based on their low and guessy jumping (Celestial) and utterly unimpressive attitide with no ability to fiddle (Medermit).

Noble Prince should dbe fav IMO.

Bruised foot. Has been pulled from the Drinmore aswell.

ok so that's CH out of this now.

Was really impressed by SR until that moment, be interesting to see how they campaign him and FR from now on.

i like my Arkle horses to stay a bit further than 2m Sint...

You're prob right but we shall see

This is a perfect example of being wary with the.......best Hurdlers make the best chasers theory,and backing horses for the Arkle based on their Hurdles rating.

I see that Quwetwo has shortened in the betting for the Arkle.  Thought the horse was out for the season....does anyone know if have they got the horse fit and are reconsidering.  Great chance if fit!

eric.....what on earth you on about, most best chasers are big horses!!!!!!!  Denman for one.

gutted that the Henry II (or VIII, i always mix them up) is off Saturday. Good contest usually.

No chance of a reschedule.

If he doesnt get that trip away from Chelts he will struggle over any trip there.

RSA Stayer Wymott beat Tarablaze comfortably over a similar trip so he cant have much pace would think Royal Charm shouldnt have too many probs unless they see him more of an RSA horse.

Noble Prince looks an ideal candidate for the new 2m 4f chase he seems to lack that bit of toe when it matters for an Arkle horse. He has run well over 3m over hurdles and seems to have a preference for slower ground. None of these good signs for an Arkle imo.

Captain Chris who was mentioned in the first post on this thread ran v well in the hottest Arkle trial so far for me. He will improve a lot for better ground and that first outing over fences where we already know he jumps well. A strong run Arkle on faster ground will suit him down to the ground where he will travel better and forge on strongly to the line. The first day at the Festival is good/soft but a bit quicker than the Cheltenham trial which will make things interesting between him and Ghizao, who also likes good/soft come March.

Just looking at P Nicholls Antepost 3 novice chasers to follow given as The Winack, Picture This and Watamu Bay. Typical of him not to give the lowdown on those that really matter. He continues to follow his usual keep quiet about the good ones routine.

Royal Charm is entered for the 2m 5f novice chase at Cheltenham next Friday with Spirit River, Reve De Sivola, Surfing, Jessie's Dream, and Time For Rupert though the trip will be too short for him.

Interesting Nicholls is doubting him as an Arkle horse and reading between the lines am wondering if he intends giving this horse a stayers education but without the hustle and bustle of an Arkle which Kauto Star also did not run in during his journey to the top. He has been running on soft ground up until last time and has been very much looked after by the trainer with the long term in mind. Mentioning he is not sure about the Arkle being the right race for him and mentioning him in the same breath as Kauto Star gives a big clue as to where he is looking in trip imo and the entry for this 2m 5f test does nothing to change that. Nicholls doesnt prepare his prospective Gold Cup horses in Arkle's imo.

"Royal Charm was always going to go to this meeting after winning last time," he said. "He likes Exeter and it's an ideal race for his next start. He won well last time, likes soft ground and likes the track so he has a lot in his favour."

i dont think i have seen a novice jump a fence better than royal charm in the last 10 years.