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marvinho
17 Jan 11 10:37
Joined:
Date Joined: 10 Apr 02
| Topic/replies: 120 | Blogger: marvinho's blog
Does anyone know what the Cheltenham plans are for this one.

I imagine its a toss up between the Arkle and the Jewson.  Was a really good hurdler and performed well in top company last season.  Looked very good on chase debut and then possibly found out by the ground lto.  Stayed on really well though and seemed to relish the hill in last years county hurdle despite losing his pitch slightly when hampered by a faller.

Want to back him antepost but can't find any quotes as to what the target is.
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Report KK 05 January 17, 2011 12:56 PM GMT
Irishracing.com

Nolan considers options for Prince
Wed, 12th Jan, 2011

Noble Prince could be dropped in class for his prep run ahead of the Cheltenham Festival following his fine effort in the Bord na Mona With Nature Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

The Paul Nolan-trained seven-year-old finished with a flourish to take second spot, five lengths behind the winner Realt Dubh.

Successful on his chasing debut at Punchestown in October, Noble Prince has two Grade One options back at Leopardstown - the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase and the Dr P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase - before Cheltenham, although Nolan may aim lower for now.

"We did always think he wants more of a trip, but with the ground being heavy we were thrilled with him over the two miles," said Nolan.

"He definitely got tapped for toe down the back and he stayed on really well to pass three or four horses in the straight. He was galloping all the way to the line, and it looks as though stepping him up in trip is the way to go.

"He's in the Arkle at Leopardstown later in the month, but we'll have the Moriarty more in mind on Hennessy day there.

"But with the ground being as heavy as it is we might give him a lesser option instead of that with a view to going to Cheltenham and the better ground. He'd appreciate the ground not being as heavy as it is.

"We might go for a little contest as a prep to Cheltenham instead of taking on the better horses in the Grade Ones. Barry (Geraghty) said the last day the further he went the better he was going. He was tapped for toe so hopefully a step up in trip will suit.

"I suppose the new two-and-a-half-miler (the Jewson Novices' Chase) looks to be the ideal race for him."
Report marvinho January 17, 2011 3:04 PM GMT
Cheers for that. Obviously you never know with trainers comments but that is really helpful.

Reckon the step up will suit, pity none of the bookies have him quoted!
Report Paul4 January 17, 2011 3:29 PM GMT
17.5 on here for that race
Report marvinho January 17, 2011 3:34 PM GMT
Fair price imo

Problem is I want to stick him in my annual "retirement here I come" Cheltenham acca so am gonna have to go request at the bookies :-(
Report the clipper January 17, 2011 5:40 PM GMT
owner told me last night that he definitely goes to Irish arkle on sunday
Report neill d January 17, 2011 6:07 PM GMT
Mordin says he'll win the Arkle
Report soapp January 17, 2011 6:47 PM GMT
Nolan's are back in form now. 2 nice winners over the week-end.
Report Rod Tidwell January 17, 2011 7:47 PM GMT
Looked all over he would go to Coral Cup last year as longer trip would suit (backed down to fav in week before race) and then ended up in the County Hurdle where he ran perfectly well. Wouldn't like to predict which way this one would end up in after that!
Report FOYLESWAR January 17, 2011 7:50 PM GMT
marvinho regards the annual chelt retirement acca i do the same every year but i also do it in a yankee it never ussually comes to anything but last year had sizing europe 13/2 arkle on the tues ,weapons amnesty 12s ,big zeb 12s , on weds had to wait till friday for gold cup for the £20 e.way acca part of the bet stood to win £350,000+ didnt sleep for 2 nights but what a buzz that was , anyway cooldine let me down in the gold cup, i won good money on the doubles and trebles but what i am sayin is make sure you cover the doubles and trebles and have the acca large just in case it comes off it will probably only happen once so make it count good luck with your chelt bets
Report marvinho January 17, 2011 8:24 PM GMT
Good advice Foyleswar.  Last year my ew acca was placed around this time of year and I had Sizing Europe, Binocular, Long Run and Tidal Bay (in W/O Big Bucks Market).

After the first two went in I was dreaming of a c£20k win.  Have not been more nervous than before the RSA chase.  When Long Run came tanking down the hill I really started to believe it was gonna happen..........only to see Weapons Amnesty cruising behind!

Still would have had a nice win if Tidal Bay had decided he was on a going day  :-(

Serves me right for putting a rogue like Tidal Bay in an antepost acca but thats racing!
Report FOYLESWAR January 17, 2011 8:39 PM GMT
yeah know what you mean about nerves had no fingernails left by gold cup day in the 5 mins b4 the gold cup i was pacing up and down my living room and my heart was beating like a drum calmed down a bit as the started but it was not to be but theres always this year  what a feeling such a rush that is why this game is so addictive cant wait for the festival good luck
Report Panto Prince January 17, 2011 9:37 PM GMT
I have a fancy price for the Arkle - doesn't look promising on that score.

I would not put a 2m win round Chelts out of the question based on that run in the County hurdle last year. What this horse needs is a strong even gallop - it ususally travels like an absolute dream. Decent ground also would help as he is a very slick animal over fences.

Looks possibly tripless - they ran it over 3m at Punchy at the back end of last year and was cantering over everything 2 out but just patently did not stay.

If it goes for the other race it will be a lot shorter than 17.5 on the day. A really likeable and classy type. I think he has a Festival win in him.
Report the clipper January 18, 2011 1:41 PM GMT
I  agree that the ARKLE should be his aim but nolan prefers the
new 2.5 race for him
Report Panto Prince January 18, 2011 7:22 PM GMT
Grade 1 glory surely? Remember My Way de Solzen...
Report filbert street January 22, 2011 8:58 PM GMT
interesting tomorrows race 25 for arkle and 20 for golden miller (1st race on thursday new 2 half mile race mentioned by trainer ) not had bet for cheltenham but will be backing it when target becomes clear. Idealy fancy it will run well without quite winning tomorrrow and go for thursdays race as per jockey n trainers comments but like previous posts backed it for coral cup last year and ran in county hurdle over 2m couldnt quite understand it. What if it wins tomorrow Arkle all the way spose? anyone know anything?
Report filbert street January 22, 2011 9:22 PM GMT
from barrys blog on atr

I’m also on NOBLE PRINCE for Paul Nolan in the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at 1.45 and he’s a horse that I like quite a bit.

He was having just his second run over fences when runner-up to Realt Dubh in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time and although it’s a big ask to reverse the form of that five length defeat with that rival I’m hopeful of an improved performance; it was only in the second half of the race that his jumping really warmed up and I’d prefer him to get into the thick of it from the start this time.
Report Tucho January 22, 2011 10:38 PM GMT
I'd love Noble Prince to run in the Arkle (Cheltenham) so hopefully he does the business tomorrow. On at 6/1 just incase. Knowing he gets 2m4f or further is an advantage not a disadvantage in a flat out race like the Arkle. The last 2 winners, Sizing and Forpady aren't classic 2 mile horses, but their extra stamina was vital in holding on up the hill. You get plenty of quality animals who get much further than 2 miles racing in it, speed isn't everything.
Report eric_morris January 23, 2011 5:06 AM GMT
Trainer trying to bring him into the Arkle under the radar today, think he is well fancied by them in the Irish Arkle today.
Report eric_morris January 23, 2011 5:16 AM GMT
...bring him in to the Cheltenham Arkle under the radar ...
Report eric_morris January 23, 2011 1:45 PM GMT
There we go Noble Prince gamble of this 2m Irish Arkle.
Report marvinho January 23, 2011 2:13 PM GMT
That was a terrific effort in the Irish Arkle on ground that is much softer than he wants.  His hurdle rating puts him pang up there with the principles (and this has historically been a big pointer to Arkle winners)

If anyone has watched his chase debut, he was very impressive on the better ground (easily accounting for Saludos who was a similar price to him today).  Would fancy him to reverse form with Realt Dubh (who I think needs soft ground) at Cheltenham and the 20/1 is fair imo.  He will definitely be staying up the hill and hopefully won't get out paced on better ground (travelled well as a hurdler over 2 miles)

Am not convinced the English challenge is up to much this year, although Finians is interesting but no value.

Flat Out is the one who is going to be difficult to assess going into the real thing unless they run him again before Chelts.
Report eric_morris January 23, 2011 2:17 PM GMT
He doesnt have the pace for the Arkle as he showed there, turned into a battle which should have suited his stamina but couldnt go past Realt Dubh. They were expecting him to win today he was hammered in which I expected after all the bullsh1t coming from Nolan re him needing a longer trip etc trying to bring him in under the radar. He must think we're stupid, pleased he lost for that.
Report Tucho January 23, 2011 2:40 PM GMT
he doesn't have the tactical pace for a small field irish affair on slow ground, totally different at cheltenham though

crying out for a faster pace (will get at cheltenham) and better ground (will get at cheltenham)
Report eric_morris January 23, 2011 2:47 PM GMT
Doesnt have 2 mile pace, does have 2m 4f pace for the Festival. If he and Quel Esprit go for the 2m 4f race they will have it between them imo.
Report unclepuncle January 23, 2011 2:56 PM GMT
Should definitely go for the new 2m4f race - will suit him perfectly and he would be a very worthy favourite (I'd only make him about 5/1 even now). The fact he is still available at 16/1 or so for the that suggests the lure of the Arkle will be too much. Will lump on when I can get nrnb - Ladbrokes aren't quotiing him yet (are they still nrnb on all races or has that finished?)
Report Tucho January 23, 2011 2:59 PM GMT
sizing europe, forpady, tidal bay don't have '2 mile pace' whatever that is, but won an arkle

10/1 noble prince with paddy power, he knows, 20s with hills etc is big
Report eric_morris January 23, 2011 3:07 PM GMT
He and Medermit will be keeping each over company in behind when they kick 2 out imo.
Report Can't Catch Me January 23, 2011 7:04 PM GMT
Doesnt have the pace for the Arkle? I strongly disagree with that.

Personally hope they choose the Arkle. I think its the perfect race for him.
Report the clipper January 29, 2011 10:32 PM GMT
Definite decision made - 100% going to Jewson new race on the thursday
Report unclepuncle January 30, 2011 10:13 AM GMT
^ Do you have a link for that?
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