4 times

Horses dont run in Arkle's, the most demanding frantic race for novices in the calendar, having made their jumping debut only 2 weeks before in a half pace race. Your example is not relevant as this is an extreme case.

You're right Eric. Woe is me. How sad am I. Running a horse in a novice chase at the Cheltenham festival where they go a frenetic pace. Whatever next. I see what you mean now.
Next thing you know they will be running horses at Cheltenham that have fallen in previous races.
But you are right. I will get onto the owner and trainer forthwith and point out the error of their ways. They certainly do not have the best interests of their best horse at heart. Entering him at the Cheltenham festival for the past 2 seasons was a major misjudgement of catastrophic proportions and just throwing good money away.
I will, however, refrain from mentioning my bet just in case it persuades them to run. I wouldn't want that on my conscience.
I will put a word in for you though. If you don't mind? I think your efforts should not go unrewarded and the attempts you make on these threads to re-assure other posters where you support them, and to ridicule them when you don't is praiseworthy.
I can now rest assured in the knowledge that I have seen the light.
Praise the Lord.

Regardless if you think he should run in the race or not. I think the trainer has messed up big time with the horse.

The reason he has only had once chase start, is because this is definitely planB, the trainer has sensed an opportuntiy for a horse just short of the top class to win a top class race, as the opposition is weaker than usual.

Fleming had 2 choices in my eyes:

1) Go the bold route, take a prep race and then go to the Arkle knowing the horse would be going there after just one run. But could be facing a substandard field.

2) Hold the horse back for a full season of novice chasing, giving the horse the adequate experience chasing, but knowing that the potentially top class Peddlers Cross & Sprinter Sacre will be waiting next year.

I dont think anyone could argue whichever way he went:

But if he aborts the Arkle plan now, then he has basically done neither. Lost the horses novice status and blown any chance of his stable star ever winning at cheltenham.

I think wakey's post is eminently sensible. Once you have decided to go chasing, why go now if you don't then run in the Arkle? Start afresh later this year with a full season to prepare.

OK Wakey. I,m not saying it wouldn't be disappointing if he doesn't run in the Arkle. Trust me.
When he elected to get AP to ride I thought he had done eveything he could possibly do. I'm sure he never expected AP to say what he said and you must give him credit for not immediately reacting to what AP said.
Similarly You eem to be saying his chasing career may be ruined. By running him now he is going to have a clear plan for next season.
Had he stayed hurdling this season he may well have been forced into chasing next season then, if all doesn't go to plan, reverting back to hurdling mid season.
It really isn't as straightforward as you say.

I want him to run in the Arkle only if those who look after him decide to let him take his place.

I really cannot see any other route they could have taken. There will be plenty of races for him next season if he takes to chasing because his is almost top class hurdler.
Just look at the 2 mile chasers, not that many stars around if you ask me.

I cannot disagree with that and, if Starluck takes to fences they may look back and say the should have looked at things differently bu, and it is a big but, they don't know yet where he will fit in chasing.
It's a tough call, even now.

I'm more concerned with the use of AP for his prep. The trainer said he wanted the jockey who rode him in his prep to ride him in the Arkle, he was pretty certain about that. He said he would ring the agents to see who would be available and AP was booked.
My problem is that 2 days later AP rode Bellvano in a raceourse gallop for his retainer JP as an Arkle trial.
That may mean AP may be claimed for Bellvano leaving Starluck with no jockey. I would like to know what AP's agent told Fleming about his availability.
I may be wrong but I bet loads of top jockeys, if they were available, would be only too happy to ride Starluck in the Arkle.   
Then only 2

Absolutely, let's hope they are chasing it up.
I tend to think the trainer was taken aback by what AP said because they always had the Arkle in the forefront before the race and, to be honest, he couldn't have won easier.
Just grates a bit when it isn't clear cut. Then to cap it all the gallop on Saturday morning must have been arranged ages ago. So AP wasn't necessarilly available to ride anyway.
Of course they may be waiting on a decision regards Belvano to see if AP is free. Who knows?

Going chasing, it is about the timing McCoy advised it was too soon re the Arkle and they seemed to favour Sandown to continue his chasing education with a view to Aintree though AP's comments on his lack of size and scope and finding it a bit tough at some of his fences would be a worry wherever he goes. One run in a poor race 2 weeks before the Arkle is not enough when you look at the others in the race who have been chasing since last season and have between 3 and 6 runs, an average of 4 chase outings each going into the Arkle.

No doubt when Fleming has had enough headlines he will tell everyone what is happening with the horse.

I have in all likelihood posted less than you on this thread ... do you think you have rights others dont on here idiot.

How many blunders do you think Finian's Rainbow will make then or Medermit? Neither are the best of jumpers, especially the former. Haven't seen Ghizao for ages so have no idea what form he will be in but he did look good when everything else was just starting out.
Not such a clear cut picture is it?
Absolutely nuts may be just a little strong.
With the CH we are all just guessing. I don't expect Biocular, Hurricane Fly or Dunguib to go chasing next season. The first two because they are hurdlers the 3rd because he will be going for a 2nd CH.
Of the others I think the route is still open and will depend upon the winners of the CH and the World hurdle.

And Eric, I have had enough of your repeated abuse so I have finally decided to do the one thing I didn't want to. I have bocked you.
It's sad that you eliminate yourself from open debate because this is a forum but enough is enough.

Brigust1, I feel you are going to miss out on the comedy factor that eric brings. Is latest reasoning for Starluck ran in a poor race the other day yet he backs up Captain Chris who ran in a 3 horse race where one of the runners pulled itself up and the other was about 18lb below it in the ratings; even then it ran as wide as it is possible to get without running off the track; it'll actually be amusing watching this run at Chelts.

Don't bar him, just learn to laugh at him.

Eric is the 'betting shop bore' of the forum - never shuts up when he gets it right and blames everything else when he gets it wrong (though obviously he never actually loses money as he covers his positons or lays off at just the right moment every time)

You are only on this thread because you will have a free arb on Starluck and will trade for a profit if declared a runner. You wouldnt have the nads to place and leave cash on a 1/6 shot let alone this horse who would blunder his chances away half way around.

Interesting point about 2m flat horses requiring most stamina and 2m chasers requiring least. I would have thought the stop-start nature of jumping and the actual jumping would have required more stamina.

In any case I still don't think Starluck will prove to be the best stayer, best jumper or fastest in this race so still cant see the scenario where he wins.

*wrong

Goretski, fine with our arrangement. Given you won't be there this time around you'll have to let me know how you want paying out should the unlikely (in my eyes at least!!) happen.

Please....regarding the stamina to win respective races types at the same distance.....all you really need to do to draw the correct conclusion is think what type of flat horse (from a distance perspective) makes a 2 mile hurdler. The general rule of thumb is your flat horse that runs over 10f will be ideal for a 2 mile hurdler, while a horse that stays 2mile on the flat will (should) stay much further over jumps. All to do with the pace really. Like for like a 2 mile chase is run a fair bit slower than a 2 mile hurdle.