This year's 2 mile novice chasers look a vintage crop - at least 4 already rated 155 or better and on a progressive curve. I believe AF could go very close on Saturday. My one reservation would be that his best form is going left handed but maybe he just a bit below par last time at Sandown. I'll be a watcher, not a player!

Conclusion .. PN is talking puff in the Paper and this race IS a prep. Dont be fooled imo.

That's how I am reading it anyway, bluff, double bluff etc.

I think they will be going to win, and even if he has a hard race, he has 8 weeks to be spot on for the Arkle. A tough race will do him the world of good anyway. SS is very unlikely to be battle hardened this March.

I think its a really good decision by PN myself and this represents a really good stepping stone.

If he wins the VC, must be every possibility he swerves SS in the Arkle.

You dont believe PN and what he says then s&c?

Even if he wins this pretty well, after reading what he said, I'm pretty confident he will go for the Arkle.

I think its also worth remembering the horse is a 7yo with 11 runs under rules.

SS is a 6yo with only 8 runs under rules. If he is to run in the VC next year, it would probably be as a 7yo with 11 runs under his belt, albeit a litttle more chasing experience.

He'll be pretty mature physically and has already shown he is tough. 8 weeks is plenty enough time to get condition back on him for Cheltenham. He's not in for a school round, that's for sure.

S&C,
Why avoid SS whose had 2 chases,and take on the proven best 2 milers of the last 2 or 3 years??

Beating the VC field is nothing compared to beating BZ and SE imo,and Nicholls knows that.

You would say that as an Af backer though wouldn't you Budde.

It is not a complete guess in the slightest. It is an educated guess based on mitigating circumstances.

Put it this way, do you think Af would be running here if Master Minded and Tataniano were fit ??

I think we know the answer to that one so stop talking through your pocket please.

He won it last season CCM and is/was unbeaten right handed prior to the King George.

Alright an educated guess if yer like,but still you dont know.None of us do.
I think its because they were looking for a race for him and this one fits in the training plan,and in there opinion looks ok for him as re opposition.really dont think they would run him cos they aint got anything else to run,but thats just opinion like yours.
Not sure what the Pocket talking insult is based on Sint,but i would think i am able to offer an opinion without being accused of that.But thats up to you i guess.

The stars are thinning out at the top of the tree & he is desperate to retain that trainers championship. That is the reason Al Ferof is running in the race. I'm sure he's talked Mr Hales into thinking it's the best idea for the horse but for me I would much rather my Arkle horse had a nice novice race at a stride or two slower. He's not a horse that needs to be running in a VC while still very much learning his way over the larger obstacles. It wasn't all that long ago the trainer was saying this

"I do think he will need this first experience, not fitness-wise but mentally. He is not a big, scopey horse and although we have done loads of schooling he has been a bit novicey. He did fall in a point-to-point before he won one next time out, so although he has done plenty at home, he is bound to be better for the run."

Now he has gone on and for me jumped reallyy well in his two novice races but for a horse who was described as novicey I'm not sure why you want to start taking on Finians Rainbow & Wishful Thinking 2 runs later. No matter how you rate them in the Queen Mother both of them especially the former can go off & jump as fast as anything in training. My main hope is that he gets round & runs a decent enough race.

Most trainers I would say no not really but PFN has had the title of Champ trainer since the Pipe days and he had to work pretty hard to get it. I just don't think he will be very willing to give it up too easily & the way he has campaigned the likes of Prospect Wells & Al Ferof for me prove this.

Given his fierce, extensive criticism of the way Martin Pipe tried to hang on to the trainers' championship it would be deeply hypocritical of PFN to mis-campaign his horses for the same reason. I just don't believe he'd do that.

Sounds like a very reasonable theory to me Masterminded,the guys ultra competitive , actions speak louder than words and the race is worth more money than winning a Novice chase.
Last year the Champion Chase was worth £182,000 and the Arkle £74,000 to the winner.
Henderson is possibly another trainer who is very championship orientated and his statement re Oscar Whiskey
"But it is well worth Oscar Whisky taking on Big Buck's as there is a lot of prize money on offer and second in the World Hurdle would be better than third or fourth in a Champion Hurdle."
I thought was quite revealing.

I suggest you lot read Nicholls' book!

I've read it Strontium and I don't believe he'd ever put money in front of horse safety. But his actions would
suggest he is going after the money as is Henderson, but i don't think their doing anything wrong in doing it.
I remember Make a stand running away with the big newbury hurdle under a big weight and then winning a CH.The
race used to be a good trial for the CH.
Some of what M pipe did in end of season races in pursuit of the championship I think was wrong .

Think i need to explain myself a tad,whilst Zarkander is not technically a novice,hes still young and yet to run out of novice company.

Assumed OW would not be running in Welsh CH & going for Cleeve apologies. Odd prep for the World Hurdle but a nice race to win for the owner.

Cheers Sront.
Really dont think he would write all that in his book and then go and do that with his horses.