Potts horses might be sold on before the Festival they could devalue quite a lot there. If i knew they were probably running Finians in the Arkle i would get him sold quick.

God help punters with these Corals payroll connections announcing where he goes.

He wouldnt see which way Footpad went in an Arkle.   Did you not see Footpad at Navan against race fit rivals?? Brelade a decent yardstick, left behind with the minimum of fuss.  Finians was bought to be a Gold Cup horse.  He has been sloppy so far over fences on occasion. Finians had to dig in and outstayed Movewithetimes last time after Movewiththetimes done him for foot between the last two fences.  I think they could completley destroy him if they ran him in the Arkle.  He just does'nt fit the bill as an Arkle horse.  Footpad, Petit Moucheir, Brain Power(last years 2m champion hurdle contenders) pinging along in the front rank. He'd be out of contention coming down the hill.  Nope, cant have him in the Arkle at all. One sloppy jump and it's curtains. Surely to god it has to be JLT.  He can take it easier early on and work his way into things throughout the final mile and a half.  Connections have already ruled out RSA.   Come on Team Tizzard, do the right thing... JLT him.

We hear that all the time about the arkle, "one mistake and it's over". Youd think it was the only race with fences, and had more fallers than the grand national. I'd say the pace is more likely to help horses jump better. Yes footpad is good, but when you think back to champagne fever and simonsig, it would be foolish to go another route because of one.

Willoughby Court good enough to hold off Neon Wolf over hurdles could easily do the same with Finians Oscar in a JLT.

After the performances of Thistlecrack and Cue Card the stable may not be heading for a good Festival.

This could potentially be the race of the festival. Willoughby Court from the front trying to fend off Finnians Oscar and Death Duty

PM out untill Feb impossible123

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/henry-de-bromhead-s-petit-mouchoir-ruled-out-until-2018-1.3272926

Jb23, many thanks. PM is another good horse with a penchant for picking up an injury with regularity, it seems. He could the 1st antepost of mine to bite the dust prior to the event. Now relying solely on Footpad for a bit of recompense (hopefully).

I think at this juncture Yanworth, unless his jumping improves to Gp 1 standard, the pace of any Gp1 16f-20f chase may be too quick for him. I think over 24f the more sedate pace and extra distance of the race will allow him more time at the fences and chances of catching-up too. Also, he's little stamina worries at 24f than some of the others including Willoughby Court, in my opinion.

Think they've said they have entered him purely because it's a Grade 1, but are more likely to wait for Cheltenham.

1.45 Sandown
Finian's Oscar is unbeaten in two races over fences at around two and a half miles this season, but drops back to two miles. The dual Grade One-winning novice hurdler had been expected to line up at Cheltenham next week, but trainer Colin Tizzard decided the horse was in such good condition that he may as well strike while the iron is hot.

"It looks a cracking race. There's good prize money and Finian's Oscar is in really good form," said the Dorset handler. "Do we wait a week for Cheltenham or go for this one? We saw no reason why we shouldn't go for this one. That's why we're here."

Really?

Graeme83 24 Nov 17 21:12 Joined: 21 Sep 07 | Topic/replies: 9,041 | Blogger: Graeme83's blog
I think thyey should stick to the Arkle plan, as long as there's no scarey good 2 miler around. I've saw nothing so far that would put me off. Joe is one of the best out there. He'll know what to do

They have just ruined the horses confidence over a trip he was never going to lay up in. First time out screamed that out.

The Tizzards real howler there.

Dead right Eric.
They went a fair old clip and he just couldn't go it.
Worryingly, for his supporters, is how far off these he was. He seemed so slow you couldn't think another half mile would see him mixing with the best novices. He's perhaps a touch short of top class.

Aintree next but horses confidence destroyed.

Have to be pretty poor to not win a race at the Festival with this really talented horse but it looks likely now after they p*ssed punters around last year on his running plans imo. Karma as a punter but sorry for the horse.

Ainchea, Golden Surprise and Ultragold still ran well for Tizzard today and Fox Norton won £32k for second in the TC. Most trainers would be delighted with a day like that. Finians the real bomb out.

I thought connections admitted it was a mistake coming back in trip despite needing every yard to win over 20f the previous time. I also think connections were reported to have said the RSA would be the target at Cheltenham; if so, he could meet Yanworth another less convincing Gp 1 fencer at Cheltenham next March.

I don't know yet what his ideal trip is, but it sure wasn't just the trip that beat him today. He never travelled at any stage and was tailing further off the longer the race went on. That run can just be ignored. Something was clearly wrong with the horse.

He’s far from a natural chaser, doesn’t jump his fences very well at all

entered at Cheltenham on Saturday.