Cedre Bleu

Was wondering the same myself but haven't found any quotes regarding him.

Entered next week.

Yep saw this. Rather late but at least he's back.

Yes. Very, very promising.

It will tell us a lot if he runs on Weds but my only concern really is he was a pretty raw inexperienced type of horse last season. If he was mine I'd be in 2 minds to keep him as a novice but I suppose he will be ok if he's good enough. Thought he may turn into an Arkle type of horse but think it will be a big ask.

Just took the 200/1 that a very generous person was offering.

Think it is worth a couple of quid to find out

Confirmed runner for a beginners chase at Newbury tomorrow. Hoping for a good performance.

*Novices Chase sorry

Showed a very likeable attitude, but wasnt that taken with him today. But could only win, and can only improve!

Abit novicey, but a win is a win, particularly because it was.his first ever chase in public.

Looks like he might want a bit further, but happy with my 200's from last week

And so you should be! Not convinced he stayed on again, Bellavno just completely blew up. Lidar seemed to be catching them both at the end.

Didn't like the way he jumped. Arched his back. Bellvano dogged it and has never been the most reliable. Quite comical that finish imo

Didn't scream Arkle winner to me, but as you say, can only improve.

Jumped the first three brilliantly, lost his confidence when lidar kept getting in the way

WC, I have an Arkle interest too but, like the connections I'd imagine, am as disappointed as you can be considering he won.

From PN's interview on RUK, it is very unlikely he will go to Cheltenham at all. Keeping low key this season or words to that effect.

More festival pointers followed in the next race when Cedre Bleu got the better of the sweet-travelling Bellvano close home to earn a 33-1 quote for the Irish Independent Arkle with William Hill.

Cedre Bleu's trainer Paul Nicholls said: "He's been off a long time and has had his problems. He's jumped brilliantly - big and bold.

"Hopefully he'll get better with experience and progress. I wouldn't mind upping him in trip but there are no greatplans.

"Not everything has to go to Cheltenham or Aintree - there are plenty of races for him."

A bit strange that if he isn't going to hit the big spring festivals, I don't see the point in losing novice status towards the end of January in effectively a 3 runner race.

He could have just stuck to hurdles this year, and come back next year as a 6 year old and have a proper Arkle campaign.  (Unless connections think that he probably isn't good enough anyway)

Wouldnt win an Arkle no matter what year they aimed at imo

I must say that was one of the worst rides I've ever seen Barry Geraghty give a horse. He looked like he was trying to sneak the race by a head to protect the horse's handicap mark (like with the hurdler last week). If he'd gone on when he cruised upsides Cedre Bleu, CB would never have come back at him.

Bellvano might have a breathing problem though? - he emptied out in an instant after cruising through the race.

^ your miles out, mate

Enlighten me.

Yes, not sure i agree here Stront, though you might be right - Belvano from day one to me has looked like the biggest bridle horse imaginable. Virtually every race I have seen recently has suggested he wants to do it on the bit, and when asked to come off it, he finds nothing. Maybe a wind issue certainly, maybe needs headgear, but possibly just an out and out rogue.

I think with a proper novice campaign this fella wouldn't look out of place in a normal Arkle, like last years.

Considering he has only just turned 5 and hadn't run for a year, and having his first ever chase against opponents who have had a couple of chases each, wasn't too bad.

I wouldn't be too quick to right him off based on todays performance; but this year's Arkle does look like it could beyond him imo.

Stont, I think you've made some good points there, considering Bellvano's gone down the handicap route in the last two festivals.

Well Chief - I think that is / was a good punt on Cedre and I imagine he is a horse who has a very bright future whether he makes the festival or not.

Well Chief - just responding to your point about losing the novice status at this stage - that is quite interesting, because I believe they have said SonofVic will now contest hurdles this yr with a view to keeping his novice status for next yr. Interesting that they did not go over hurdles this yr then for Cedre, to keep him as a novice for next yr - i think he had/has a hurdles entry elsewhere.

I suppose they may think that Sonofvic jumped that badly in the Dipper it made sense to revert back to hurdles whereas Cedre is that big, pottering around over hurdles for the remainder of the yr would be pointless (and different owners etc).

RC, it was just my first reaction when Nicholls said he may bypass the festivals.  It reminded me of Starluck, running in a small race and losing his novice status in February and then bypass the festival?  Why not wait and give a proper campaign next year?

Cedre is only five, so has his entire career ahead of him, no need to rush and lose novice status now.  Not talking through my pocket because only had a couple of quid.  The Jewson looks like an ideal race as Nicholls said he might want further?

Also, "I wouldn't be too quick to right* him off based on todays performance" that should be "write", shocking schoolboy error that.

I don't think Geraghty did anything wrong on Bellvano. On the contrary I thought he did a fantastic job of nursing him into the race and giving him every chance. Either way with this years Arkle in mind this race didn't cause a ripple for me. The winner will need to learn to jump more efficiently if he is to be competitive in decent chases in the future, you'd have to be pleased with his attitude though and surely he has plenty more potential than the rogue in second.

Yes, I agree, not one to draw a line through at this stage. He may go to the festivals, may not, but a nice long term prospect whatever the case. Nicholls is a top man and his connections are level headed, but the temptation nearer the time may prove too much, especially if impressive NTO.

He did well enough I thought without setting the world alight. Probably what I expected really. If it was the start of the season we would all think that was a nice start. Whatever they do now I think it was a mistake to start chasing this season there was no need. Considering he's a young horse anyway built to make a chaser they maybe wasting a full season to build experience as a novice whether he goes to Cheltenham or not. Also add they want to take things slowly I would have fiddled about over hurdles for a couple of races and wait for next season.

With regards to Bellvano there is likely to be something up with him. He finished distressed last time out & I think his talent carries him so far before encountering problems when pressured. If I was a backer I would be unhappy with the ride but we have to remember Barry may have been asked to try not to give it a hard race if he can help it. I do think he could have gone on a length or two at one stage tbh.

Was led to believe he would be dodging the festival but his next race is likely to be in the Kingmaker. If he runs well in that he could turn up in the Arkle? Hmmmmm...

I have to say I wasn't aware of the horse's (Bellvano's) issues and since I posted I've seen that a couple of posters on the horse racing board predicted more or less what would happen this morning, so I may have been harsh on BJG (who is a jockey I generally admire greatly). It still amazes me the way the horse emptied so quickly when he was going so well even after the last. Definitely one to avoid, even though his win and place record looks OK.

Cedre Bleu looks a middle distance handicapper in the making imo. That might be why PN has decided to get him started over fences now (is clearly built for it) so he can have a crack at some big pots next season.

Keep an eye out for the Jewson Handicap though .. could be another Chapoturgeon ..