Black Hercules drifting for NH Chase

I would assume uncertainty over target, as he's been shortened up with a few firms for the rsa and ruby mentioned rsa and even saying he would have the pace  for the jlt at preview night.  More of that being a possible for jlt would further enhance these claims

Might be something to do with recent trainer comments?

Wow, that'd some shuffle if that happened.

Topped up on Roi de Francs for the 4 miler NRNB incase Blercules goes elsewhere.

Would probably have been Patrick's ride actually, chief. Fact is Ruby is looking for rides with chances in both the JLT and the RSA. I think scoob told us that Roi Des Francs is going RSA too, mate.

Cheers delsie. I get confused, there are too many of them!

Black Hercules to miss 4m NH Chase and go to either RSA or JLT according to Mullins

BH in the 4 miler is amatuer ridden, but in the other 2 RUBY can ride. Simple, he gets his way very often.

Backed BH months ago for any race and I' gutted by this.

He had a right favourites chance in the 4 miler, but I cannot see im winning an RSA or JLT.  Place claims in the RSAdefinitely, but couln't have him in the JLT at all.

I can understand the RSA option - he has looked good this year over 3m, but JLT?  I don't think for a minute he'd run in the JLT, but strange to mention it.

I was hoping Wylie would want him in the 4 miler, like Back in Focus, but then again, that was only to split BiF and Boston Bob.

Jesus. Mullins kicking JB in the nuts is becoming a weekly occurrence

Even more shocking news for More of That RSA backers as well

WILLIE MULLINS revealed on Monday that Black Hercules, ante-post favourite for the National Hunt Chase, is looking unlikely to target the 4m race, with the 2m4f JLT Novices' Chase now emerging as his most likely target.

The National Hunt Chase or RSA Chase over 3m had been on the agenda but following a final-fence fall at Navan on his last run before Cheltenham, Mullins has had a rethink.

"The target for Black Hercules has been occupying my mind probably most of all," said Mullins as he hosted a pre-Cheltenham press day at his yard on Monday.

He added: "The National Hunt Chase had been the race we were aiming him for but he was very keen at Navan last time and if he was to be that keen again it would make getting four miles a lot more difficult.
"So we're thinking seriously about either the RSA or the JLT for him  instead. It's all still up for discussion but it's quite possible we might opt for the JLT."

Bookmakers were quick to react to the news. Black Hercules was cut across the board for the JLT and is as short as 7-1 and a top price 12-1 with ****, Ladbrokes and William Hill. Paddy Power also pushed out favourite Bristol De Mai to 4-1 (from 5).

In the National Hunt Chase, Reynoldstown runner-up Minella Rocco is now favourite at 6-1 with Betfair. Black Hercules remains favourite in some books, including those to have gone non-runner no bet, but he is now 9-1 (from 5) with Paddy Power.

The RSA market offered some interesting disparities in the immediate aftermath of the news. Black Hercules is a general 8-1 shot, though as short as 6-1 with bet365 and longest at 14-1 with Paddy Power.

Meant to day wylie thinks shaneshill jlt.

Outlander confirmed jlt.
Won't be the only one though

Thought RSA was right race after he won at Doncaster but if you look at the collateral through Definitly Red, Blaklion's form looks better than BH's. It's a flat pedigree but if you look at the strike rate of the Sire progeny and the Damsire progeny over staying distances, they are both very prolific.

I'm confused, 8/1 a bit on the short side for RSA i WOULD HAVE THOUGHT.

yep 8/1 NRNB fair if you fancy him I suppose but only Skybet - why should he be shorter than Blaklion who has good chase course form, better collateral form, did n't fall last time out and is a definite runner?

What a total nonsense school of thought. What's the point of Ruby wanting to ride a horse that imo has no chance and why would the owner allow this to happen. You can understand Ruby wanting a ride in the JLT but switching a horse with a favourites chance in another race just to facilitate that is lunacy.

The top of the market is now populated by 6yo's (rarely win this....a lot pull up in the race) and older suspect stayers.

Good value to be had lower down the market now. Local Show for me.

I really like Black Hercules (he'd be in the RSA if he was mine) but I'd be very concerned about him on quicker ground (he's almost always run on heavy), and, on the back of a fall, I'd not be in any tearing hurry to be backing him in anything at the moment.