I can't see Footpad running in the Arkle. Regardless of the fact Sceau Royal won well there Mullins was already talking about the Drinmore post Footpads win and talking about 2 & 1/2 miles. I'd expect him to go up in trip for the JLT

Contrary to cvb I can only see Footpad running in the Arkle. Entered in the Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1) over 2m1f at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. Not sure what the significance of the Drinmore is/was ? A Triumph Hurdle 3rd in 2016 and a Champion Hurdle 4th in 2017 and jumps a fence like a stag - quick and accurate - screams Arkle to me. Am I losing the plot ?

Probaby go right to the wire.
50/50 imo

I think Mullins will send Koshari to the Arkle. Footpad to JLT and Invitation Only for RSA. With Ruby on them

Al Boum Photo, Bacardys, Saturnas all will fit in there somewhere too.

Don't see why the owners would have Sceau Royal and Footpad take eachother on. People bring up Peace & Co and Top Notch but they were Juveniles and there is only 1 race for them. Different with these two.

Anyway worth baring in mind if you fancy Footpad that he may not run in the Arkle.

If Footpad and SR were kept apart then Ruby wouldn't ride as Jacob would be on both as retained rider.

Yeah you’re way too smart for here bet you have 5 degrees.

Not sure what the problem is CV?
Owners have said its the Arkle and said they could run both,and Jacob is their jockey so would ride if available.
Why you getting upset?

betfair forums has matter of fact statements for things that are inherently uncertain. Like where a horse will run, or who will win a race etc..

4 or 5 years ago I'd be doing it myself. Hurricane Fly, Kauto Star etc.. Where Mullins horses would certainly run at Cheltenham. Since then I've focussed more on improving my betting and put my time into analysis rather than typed words.

Throw in standard internet trolls like eric morris and the like who feed off replies in an unmoderated forum. I've no interest wasting my time like I might have years ago.

I'm not annoyed, it's not anyones replies to my post. People have one opinion someone else has another. The back and forth repeating of same is just something I'm not into anymore. That's all

cvbyrne...sleep easy, 'eric morris' is one of several of mine on permanent ignore; the poster has little to contribute that is conducive for this forum.

Merry X'mas!

Footpad impressive win by

20 lengths

Betfred going 5-2

Thats the same price Sprinter was a the same point in his career

Very very short for the Arkle at this stage at 2s, 6s for the JLT. May as well bet nearer the day a novice at that price. Best Mate was 4/6 antepost fav before foot and mouth for the Arkle will he shorten further?

Very very impressive but what price will he be on the day? He’s short enough now. It’s a shame Petit Mouchoir had the set back, he jumped as well as anything I’ve seen this season on his chasing debut
Still think it might end up a “Western Warhorse” type Arkle this season

Petit Mouchoir is clearly the value in the Arkle market and the 8s with hills with their offer (won't run in any other race surely) looks a cracking bet, the differential in price with Footpad is absolutely baffling even allowing for how impressive Footpad has been in both chases to date.

Petit Mouchoir was rated 5lbs higher over hurdles, he finished in front of Footpad 3 times last season, twice when winning at Leopardstown and when running 3rd in the Champion Hurdle and importantly Petit Mouchoir was very impressive on his debut over fences and jumped well.

Of course in saying all that there is no guarantee that Petit Mouchoir will prove to be better than Footpad over fences but then on the flip side on what we have seen so far I don't think their is any evidence that Footpad has improved past Petit Mouchoir for the switch to fences and one is 6/4 and the other 8s.

He is entered to run in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown Feb 3rd

First time I've looked at the market today, surprised how short Footpad is...

Anyway I came on the thread to put in a word for Saint Calvados who has impressed in two chases at Newbury now. Difficult to know what the form is worth and he might not be as effective on better ground but we'll hopefully learn more when he runs in the Kingmaker.

His trainer deserves a decent chaser after what happened with Arzal a couple of years back.

Fwiw I've backed pm at 3s for this weekend and intend on backing him for the arkle. Hope I don't get egg on my face after posting this and hope Mr hdb don't read this but the intention is to run with eyes firmly on chelters. He just needs to see if after the setback all the ability is still there and if it is he will beat footpad on all known hurdling form! I'm just wondering if wpm won't dodge the race, will be interesting and he has form of doing just that.

That's a bold statement STS. Footpad has looked exceptional so far over fences. If you rate PM then the 6/1 NRNB (B365) for the Arkle looks great. Going to be a cracker at Leopardstown for sure.

Like I said been given good info that pm is in good form but obviously no one knows till he's on the racetrack and who is the only horse to beat footpad again? Prices are miles out of line and I'm not usually one who looks back on previous seasons or codes and def don't usually back horses coming back off a break but willing to give this one a chance.
Pm jumped well in Oct it's just really unfortunate he had his injury and he did that real easy beating brelade an easy 7L ok 140 rated but he is a 2 miler in his own grade footpad beat 3 milers easily so not really been in a race and was on bad ground both times.
Gl if you wanna play the odds on but not for me!