Sanctuaire

Looked super didn't he. Jumped well. Also a particularly handsome loking horse.

and in the arkle too

With the proviso that it's Sanctuaire I have to say that was rather impressive.  Tempting to think he's certainly a 'faster' horse than Al Ferof and if fences bring some focus to his life as a racehorse they could be in business here.

Not entered in Jewson, would be a bit of a rush to get him eligible for the Grand Annual....Arkle looks like his race?

I took some 33s, thought it was very taking.

He was very impressive there wasn't he. Can't see the 25s with baldys lasting too long after that. One more run over fences in Feb for experience then onto the Arkle possibly? I could be a backer, but will wait until nearer the end of the week to see if there is anything in Nichols column or press and to see what the vibes are like, don't mind taking 20s, cos feel also that fences could be the making of him and he may well start half those odds if getting to Cheltenham.

I bet Pricewose wishes the race had been on Sunday?

He pulled like a tank and still won with his head in his chest,albeit not a very strong race,but very impressive to the eye,
one or two guessy jumps but thats kind of expected from a novice,he has a mind of his own though,so would like to see him back this performance up with an equally impressive display,looks to have a lot of toe though and the stamina to match,id be surprised if the Arkle wasnt the plan after that tbh

THE Paul Nicholls-trained Sanctuaire was cut to 16-1 (from 33) by BetVictor for the Racing Post Arkle after he produced a classy performance on his chasing debut at Taunton on Tuesday.

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Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the six-year-old, who runs in the colours of Jared Sullivan, jumped well and eased to a 16-length victory over Easter Meteor.
A winner of the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival, Sanctuaire did not cover himself in glory when reluctant to race in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last time.

However, he was much more enthusiastic at Taunton and could bid for another festival win.

"He went a good gallop," said Walsh, who was adding to his success on Sanctuaire's stablemate Dildar earlier on the card.

"He jumped like a stag and won as he liked.Jumping was never an issue for him over hurdles. He was never stupid and always had respect. He jumped and gallop them into the ground today."

William Hill went 20-1 (from 33) for the Arkle.

Nicholls doesn't sound too keen 

What did jellybelly say The Headmaster?

Was impressive today but is more than likely a "sooner" and to be fair to PN he didnt get where he is today by training sooners.

I did put him in the Arkle but I think he'd be at his best around Aintree. I could run him in the Kingmaker at Warwick now, or find another small race."


found it

Arkle backers can only pray for the Kingmaker.  A 'smaller' race will not signal any Cheltenham intentions imo.

I think he would have to start now. Honestly cannot have him on my mind. Anything less than 66s is robbery IMO.

You couldn't fail to be impressed by Sanctuaire's chasing debut. Yes, he got his own way in front, but they couldn't live with him and he hosed in. Sanctuaire will obviously get an entry in the Arkle and I have yet to speak at length to Jared, but please hold your bets on him for that race.

He could well miss Cheltenham, and instead go to Sandown in March and then on to Aintree, where 2m and a flat track would really play to his strengths.


PN column

Ayr is right up his street too....may keep him sweet for Aintree-Ayr double-header

Would be amazed if he was good enough to win an Arkle - wouldn't back him with monopoly money

Didn't see the race but the time was very fast for slow ground.

wouldnt surprise me if he ended up in a handicap at cheltenham.

Can't see logic of handicap with his high rating (150+). I reckon he will miss Cheltenham and head for Aintree and Ayr relatively fresh.

Was very impressive today. Went off so quickly but had no problem staying. This is such a strong Arkle though that I wouldn't blame connections for missing it to get to Aintree a bit fresher.

As I recall wellchief, didn't you win that exact same race and go on to win the Arkle. I am guessing but I reckon Sanctuaire's hurdle rating is higher than yours was at that time

Beat nothing again but there's something i like about him over Fences,doubt he'd do that from the front to a decent field but ye never know until ye try

Will be interesting to see what he comes up against in Grade 1 company at Aintree in a few weeks.  Wouldn't be taking a short price about him because he is a bit of a headcase and his recent hurdles form against good horses would still be a worry, but he looks like he could have a brighter future over fences.

agree,Certainly wouldn't take a short price on him at Aintree,intresting recruit to Chasing all the same

Yes, very impressive indeed. The form of yesterday's race IMO can be safely thrown in the bin but he is obviously loving this game and looks a very useful tool. Still not totally convinced he is the real deal but obviously loving jumping.

RC, I agree completely. There has to be a chance he'll turn sour again at some point though.

i tend to agree,these back end races can often throw up some strange results,
i cant imagine that was Somersbys true form,but you cant take anything away from the horse.he beat them senseless,

a good call on this fella onsnaff hope you took some big prices for him in the queen mother think he was 50s beforehand ,anyway dont know the reason why he went sour over hurdles, may not take a lot of racing! something amiss !  but whatever happened  he was very  impressive and has to be taken very seriously in any 2 mile chase ,noted that nicholls was very bullish on morning of race and it was one of those performances that left an impression on me ! got me thinking we may have seen something special ,may not hyave beaten much but you can only beat whats put in  in front of you . 14.5 on here now and 3.5 to be placed in queen mother .not the worst value bet in the world given that sizing euro and finians rainbow may be campaigned over further and with sprinter sacre and this fella possibly scaring away the opposition come the festival an ante post bet on here at these prices or better could see a single figuer field and sanctuaire looking decent value  for a place at least.

think the key to this fella is letting him have his head and going from the front and getting him into a rhythme he has always been a free running sort and although he has won and run well held up ,he won the fred winter comeing off the pace it seems to me that if he is allowed to bowl along in front at a sensible fast pace then that is what suits his style of running and his fast accurate  jumping puts pressure on opponents  ,looking back at most of  his hurdle races he was held up and restrained and may be he didnt like that and spat the dummy out this is my opinion but have a look at replays of his hurdles races and his 3 chase runs and see for yourself  .  given his head he looks a different horse over fences and could be something awesome ! although it is clear he has always had plenty of ability . can feel a decent bet for the queen mother  win and place developing, am getting on .

think the key to this fella is letting him have his head and going from the front and getting him into a rhythme he has always been a free running sort and although he has won and run well held up ,he won the fred winter comeing off the pace it seems to me that if he is allowed to bowl along in front at a sensible fast pace then that is what suits his style of running and his fast accurate  jumping puts pressure on opponents  ,looking back at most of  his hurdle races he was held up and restrained and may be he didnt like that and spat the dummy out this is my opinion but have a look at replays of his hurdles races and his 3 chase runs and see for yourself  .  given his head he looks a different horse over fences and could be something awesome ! although it is clear he has always had plenty of ability . can feel a decent bet for the queen mother  win and place developing, am getting on .

bit of money for sanctuaire on here today down to 8 was 14 yesterday.

Cant wait to see this beast back in action