Cedre Bleu

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

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

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.

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

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

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 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

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.

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)

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.

Enlighten me.

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 - 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).

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.

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.

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...

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.