Arkle favourites

Not a great race for jollies but it is usually won by a fancied runner, not usually by an outsider.
Most opinions are on the Sprinter Sacre post RC

Market generally a good guide?

last few favs been beaten but it doesn't appear too hard a race to find a winner

Think this year will be no exception, cannot believe anything outside the top 3 in the market can win this race

The above possibly means that those flashy sorts who have won their preps well (Sprinter) and are therefore sent off at a short price (possibly Sprinter) are found out up the hill in a truly run race (hopefully not Sprinter, for my AP, although some may say this happened in the Supreme, so lightening wil strike twice!)

Medermit, Captain Cee Bee, Tatenen, Noland, Fair Along, Racing Demon, War of Attrition and Thisthatandtother the last eight beaten favs. Wouldn't describe any of these as 'flashy' with the possible exception of Tatenen. In fact time has proven the Arkle trip to be on the sharp side for all of them barring Cee Bee.

Indeed, was a big Capt Cee Bee fan at the time (25/1 antepost )

Bleeding didn't help his cause, but I doubt he'd have beaten Sizing that day

I agree Barnesy, though not all the above got beat just because they lacked toe (which i mooted as a possibility at the top) -

Tatenan fell (though was flashy, as you say, and i got my fingers burnt badly, like an idiot!), Thisthat fell, Captain C B broke a blood vessel, Fair Along from memory got left at the start (though I could be wrong), Racing Demon could not go left and was slow, Noland slow (obvious before the race he needed a trip), Medermit (who I thought was flashy at that stage) ran no kind of race and War of Attrition did need further (though won over 2 later on as a novice, albeit in staying fashion).

I agree though, the Arkle is often too sharp for NH breds, though quite often this only apparent after the race or later still.

how many of those Arkle winners were officially the highest rated hurdler going into the race?

indeed what their hurdles ratings?

Blimey Judo!

get working RC

you 've got a few weeks. get cracking

I think it would take me a few weeks - though Mrs Carver would be happy with the peace and quiet!

Just had the thinnest glance on the last few winners. The slim look below is probably wrong, feel free to stick the knife in!

When Sizing won I am pretty sure he had the highest hurdles rating, marginally higher than Osana.

I think Forpady and Tidal Bay both had the highest ratings (though Clopf and Kruguyrova had similar marks I think).

May Way De Solzen had the highest mark.  VPU - think Monets had the higest mark.  Think Azertyuiop had the highest mark. Not much in it in Well Chief's yr between him and Kicking King and Thisthat.

Quite often the make-up of the Arkle field consists of some who have had 1 yr over hurdles and some who have had 2+ yrs over hurdles - last yr I think Medermit had the highest rating but had 2 yrs over timber, whereas Captain Chris and Finians Rainbow had had 1 yr. Similar to this yr where Peddlers (I guess, at this stage) would have the highest rating but managed that after 2 yrs hurdling (and his rating after his novice yr was broadly similar to Al F and Sprinter S after their novice yr - PC achieving higher ratings in his 2nd yr over hurdles).

Interesting debate, certainly.

good work! and quick

impressed RC,thought you were in for a late night!!

barnesy Date Joined: 24 Jun 05
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Medermit, Captain Cee Bee, Tatenen, Noland, Fair Along, Racing Demon, War of Attrition and Thisthatandtother the last eight beaten favs. Wouldn't describe any of these as 'flashy' with the possible exception of Tatenen. In fact time has proven the Arkle trip to be on the sharp side for all of them barring Cee Bee.

Excellent post Barnesy. Just goes to show the argument for stamina is somewhat over played. Lots of those horses had stamina in abundance.

I suppose you would have to say currently Peddlers Cross fits the bill the best, with his speed and stamina confirmed.