Some rubbish being spoken on this thread, nicholls is always innovative when finding good opportunities for his horses at Grade 1 level. It's clear from his comments that, rightly or wrongly, he doesn't respect Finian's Rainbow too much and feels this is a soft Grade 1 that Al Ferof can pick up. I would imagine he respects Sizing Europe and Big Zeb more and for that reason the Queen Mother won't be on the cards whatever Saturday's result.
As for Zarkander, it would be almost criminal to waste an opportunity to exploit what is almost certainly a soft mark. His form with Grandouet and Unaccompanied makes him look thrown in for this race and it isn't as though he doesnt go well fresh, he won the Adonis on his first ever appearance over hurdles last year, impressively. To whoever said that the race is not a suitable prep for the Champion Hurdle, that is because Champion Hurdle hopefuls are invariably rated too highly by this stage. It is because he has been off the course that he has not had a chance to prove he has improved at the same rate as the horses he beat in the triumph and is therefore rated much lower than them. Not long ago Punjabi was second in the race and went onto be third in the Champion and win it the following year.

Outstanding post barnsey - thank you

My point about AF running in this race is that I dont believe they are actually going in to win it 100%. I believe he will be there 90% or so, just enough to make him competitive, but ultimately not enough to make him win. If he finishes in the first 3 or 4 then I will save on him for the Arkle itself, as his price should not alter too much, it may even lenghten, but if he wins the race then you'd have to say he has been trained for it, in which case i'd be dubious about March, that's it. Might be backward but i'll pay the costs.

Top post Foylewar, totally agree. AF seem to still be improving, likes the hill at cheltenham and doesn't like to be passed, 7s is a lovely price

From the Paul Nicholls Q&A tonight:
"If you could have a free bet on the Cheltfest on a horse which isn't in your stable who would you back #askpaul Sizing Europe"

That was my interpretation Budd.

Good to see you're still feeling positive about AF and this race Sint

Only joking mate.

Never under-estimate the misleading statements Nicholls puts out. He isnt shy in releasing statements that suit him but not us thats for sure.

just backed al ferof for the arkle love this horse nothing flashy ,just gets the job done and we know he can tough it out !

yes budd i did notice that this was one of yours good luck .

cheers mate,will take a look at that

Al Ferof for me, he has the course form and I can't See SS storming up the hill. Best novice jumper seen out this year IMO

Preview at the following link:

All the best Mark

Going to get outpaced coming down the hill imo...can he make it up?

You can be pleased in that he ran well against some solid horses. I would be aswell. As predicted, he was not there 100%, but there to run well, so a nice prep.

However, a little worrying though,imo, that he was bustled along for some way. He is crying out for step up in trip.

I backed Al ferof today and thought he was a bit disappointing. He looked in great condition pre-race to
me ,so no excuses on that score. But he was given a very cautious ride by RW, who dragged him wide the whole way probably to give him a clear sight of his fences. This probably cost him more lengths than he
was beaten but given his jumping wasn't great out wide , in amongst horses it could have been worse.
He still has a chance in the Arkle but I think the form of todays race is questionable.

I think the form of the race is fine, but AF is just not a 2 miler. The distance was 17f on a stiff track today. It wont be any more of a stamina test in the Arkle.

My word Budde, and you accused me of being defensive.

There are mixed views from Bookmakers, some of them cuts his odds, others lenghthened them to 8/1.

I personally wouldn't be taking the 8/1 on Al Ferof, I think he should be about the same price of Cue Card, who I think people are underestimating for this years Arkle.

He beat For Non Stop by further than Al Ferof did giving weight and got chinned on the line against Bobs Worth giving weight, over 2m4.  Bobs Worth may be a stayer but he had the speed to beat Rock on Ruby over 2m4 last year.

As for today's race I don't really think it told us anything new.

It told us that it was a very difficult task for a novice to beat the others on only his third run and it showed he can get outpaced at times, which I think we all knew.  I expected him to come about 2nd or 3rd, but I wold have expected him to get a bit nearer to Finians, who couldn't win last years Arkle which was much weaker.

I'm not writing him off, but I think his price is largely on the skinny side for me (I'm surprised a lot of bookies shortened him)

think this horse is a lot better going left handed than right , and that was a good run imo ,dont think they had him 100% and it was a good work out that should put him spot on for the arkle ,he does look as tho he needs further( but nicholls would know more about that than me)  a fast run arkle should suit him down to the ground and we know he will get up the hill so the 8s looks  very fair price imo.