Captain Chris's Festival target

Punchestown imo

I dont think they are going to write off Captain Chris's future at the Championship course because he made a few mistakes today. He jumped really well at Cheltenham coming 2nd to the Arkle fav on ground too slow for him so maybe he is better left handed than right handed?

Martin pipe returns, I thought you were a layer?

I think Captain Chris is open to some price spoofing now wouldn't you agree?

Many horses in the Arkle will not end up as 2 milers as we know from the past.

As King says you need stamina in an Arkle which is why Medermit will be dropped back from his last 2 runs at two and a half where he has shown the most ability in his novice season so far to try and win over 2 miles. On better ground Captain Chris will be more likely to appreciate the drop in trip but he obviously needs a very positive ride as in his last few outings to prevent jumping mistakes shows. Only Arkle fav Ghizao has beaten Captain Chris at a shorter trip but on better ground over a stiff 2 m the gap between them could not only reduce but CChris could easily have the beating of them all ome March.

All of the top 5 in the Arkle betting have a very good chance of winning but only a few of them have jumped Cheltenham well this season and Captain Chris is one of them and he did it over the shorter trip there.

It is all about opinions and in terms of jumping over a short trip at Cheltenham, Captain Chris has done that jumping well left handed to be second to Ghizao on ground he doesnt excel on, Medermit has not shown anywhere near that form at Cheltenham over the shorter trip however he has shown very good form at the Jewson trip.

They are facts, however you are entitled to your opinion that when going right handed Captain Chris's numerous jumping mistakes when ridden out the back did not cost him the race against Medermit when there was next to nothing between them at the close and Captain Chris finishing much the best of the two. I am sure Captain Chris would have won yesterday with an in the van more positive ride and am expecting him to be ridden up there prominently in an Arkle to get a clear view of his fences and to deliver his excellent kick from closer to the lead.

Dickie Johnson thinks he would have won if he hadnt made the mistake at the third last and wants Captain Chris to go for the Arkle.

can you post a link for where this has been quoted please eric.

gutfeeling ... just been to the supermarket to get sunday dinner and saw it in the RPost, took a quick peek.

Surely will go for the Arkle

That would make Medermit not fast enough for an Arkle based on yesterdays race.

..quick enough for an Arkle. (think we know who finished quickest even after jumping mistakes)

The worst Captain Chris has jumped was right handed yesterday. By contrast he has jumped really well around Cheltenham. Captain Chris had the speed to get within half a length of Medermit, even after an uncharacteristic few mistakes, Medermit showed over hurdles in the past and again yesterday he doesnt have the greatest kick yet is being dropped back to 2 miles.

King has said he thinks a horse needs stamina to win an Arkle and all the greats have got 2m 4f whether it be Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop even Sizing Europe last season.

Captain Chris looked too novicey to win an Arkle imo - if he makes any of these mistakes at Cheltenham it will be race over. Thought he was a lively outsider before Sats race but Medermit, who jumped and travelled well, looks a better prospect.

wold love to see wishfull thinking in the arkle abbott....serious horse and have been banging on about him being better suited to 2 miles for the whole season.

I dont think this years Arkle has a lot of strength in depth and i was keen to take on the front 2 in the market. I took 23's on Realt Dubh b4 his Grade 1 win in Ireland and took the view that the Scilly Isles would produce another contender. I thought it was between Medermit and Captain Chris and eventually plumped for the 14s on Captain Chris. I think both are genuine contenders and i can see both being in there with a big shout. I agree with the comments on here about a more positive ride needed for Captain Chris but i dont think 2miles will suit Medermit any better than Captain Chris. In fact i have always thought 2.5m is more Medermits trip.I think the edge for me in the choice is Captain Chris is still fairly lightly raced and there is room for improvement. He has raced less than half the amount of Medermit and as good a runs he has produced at Cheltenham you would have to be slightly worried with no wins in 5 attempts at the track.
Any double figure prices about both horses will be a good bet come the day.

bit strange as we all know itl be g/s soft in places officially then ride like good ground.i actually think reyes post is the best option for the horse

Captain Chris won the Arkle in my dream last night... can't remember what was second but, disturbingly, a horse called Turtle Run was third - he's not entered and I was n't even sure he existed - he does though - unraced 8yo bought at Tattersalls Ireland sales for princely sum of 1,000 Euros in 2007.

I'll freak out if he gets a supplementary entry

If Tarablaze runs OK this weekend,my guess would be:

Arkle Captain Chris
Jewson Wishful Thinking
RSA Tarablaze

Eric-I'm not the person making comments on trainers inabilitys to place horses it was a tounge in cheek comment from myself.Eric you have no idea who i am, how i bet or what i do for a living so until you do(which rest assured you wont find out)keep your asssumptions to yourself please

Watching Finian's there you would fancy Captain Chris to be in the Arkle shake up with a positive ride.