*** Arkle Chase ***

Paloma Blue for me,obv if Samcro goes JLT or Champion Hurdle

Kalashnikov, Hoping to go along when he schools over fences, If I like what I see I'll pile into him.

Kalashnikov will never make a top class jumper of a fence. His physique is all wrong for it but ideally suited to hurdles.

Had my first antepost bet in this race... Lalor at 33/1 (bet365).

I was at Aintree when he won the bumper the year before last and was really taken with him that day. He's an absolute brute of a horse and looks every inch a 2m Chaser. Really think fences could be the making of him, and the fact he is with such a small stable means he's overpriced and somewhat overlooked in my eyes.

Bit of an in and out season over hurdles last time, he looked as if he might win all three of his races at Exeter, Ascot and Chelts, travelling like the best horse in the race, only failing to pick up close home each time. Great to see him handle Chelts so well in the race he was beaten by Western Ryder, and the pair were nicely clear and showed too much toe for Summerville Boy.

Obviously he disappointed in the Betfair Hurdle, but was friendless in the market and happy to forgive him one bad run. Bounced back to form in no uncertain terms in the Grade 1 Novice at Aintree and that was an excellent performance. Struggle to really see why he's a bigger price than Vision de Flos personally.

I think he has been running well on soft ground, but will likely be better on better ground. Set to make his chase debut at Exeter next week in the race Yanworth won last year. Obviously there is a danger he could be a JLT horse, but he's not available in the Any Race markets and breeding does suggest the minimum trip will be the way to go with him.

nowhere near as good over hurdles as those already mentioned  but i thought hardline was very impressive at fairyhouse on his chase debut.

I couldn't agree more Charko. Was only thinking this morning that most of the principals in the current market wont be running in this so there has to be some value.

Im a big MK fan.. but took the 14/1 any race rather than 20/1 in this race just in case. Although he's a huge big horse, he is a flat bred after all so bit of guesswork required about him and a fence.

Different Drum I'm thinking the same with him

He had gone under the radar but the 25/1 and most of the 20/1 has now disappeared. Personally, I think any double figures is good and I wouldn't be overly worried if Samcro ended up here. There is something not quite right about the Samcro fences or hurdles debate. Gigginstown have never been particularly interested in Champion Hurdles until now? What's changed? Have they popped Samcro over a fence and found he isn't quite the natural they hoped? At his age it should be a no-brainer that he goes chasing. 

Kalashnikov is the other favourite. How sloppy was he over a hurdle? Quinlan v Russell, who would you want on your side? That's another no-brainer.

I thought Kalashnikov looked full of promise today. A couple of novicey jumps but he'll learn from that. I liked the way he was able to put himself right and he showed plenty of pace. The five down the back at Warwick are a good test of jumping and he did well.

> He done it well,love his head carriage but shortening him up is am absolute disgrace

LOL

That's how they operate

I like the look of Le Richebourg. He shaped well in his two novice chases so far. If he doesn't go for the Arkle, he might be one for the JLT or other decent prizes in the spring.

LALOR provides the first WOW performance of the new season....33's won't last long.

Would be a sight in the Henry V111 round Sandown.

Lalor should be favourite. That was 10-14lbs better than Kalashnikov over course and distance. Kalashnikov was too short before Warwick and too short afterwards. Considering that Footpad was double figures after his chase debut then 8/1 and 10/1 would seem far more reasonable than the very skinny prices being offered. 

As regards Paloma Blue it is obviously more worrying the longer he goes without running, particularly as he doesn't want winter ground. If he jumps then two runs before the Arkle would be adequate. By far the biggest concern is the thought Cooper might be on board.

One firm pushed paloma blue out to 20 any race. Did de bromhead mention him in the racing post members article yesterday ?

Thanks shockster. I noticed it on fatty's forum aswell. It seems as if Mullins 2 mile novices may be slow to the party this festive season. Lalor very impressive. I know Some said he may not have beat much, but it looked like a decent field for his first attempt to me. Not a horse i'd be laying anytime soon.

Thanks CCM. That's a kick in the ante post bollox already. Backed him the other day. Maybe i should take a step back and take this as a sign.

It was with hills. It very quickly went down to 12. Even that's going.

Draconian out!!!  Was watching RacingUK season preview yesterday and Walsh on there live saying how well he had schooled.  What went wrong?  Anyway 1st AP casualty for me.


Re Oddschecker, be very careful on Ante Post bets and put them on with the bookies direct.  As Outlaw says it may say 20/1 but if you log into your account with your bookie it may have backe a completely different horse at 20/1 if you placed through Oddschecker.  I had the problem with Hills and they refunded me but not without screen shots etc. They say it's oddschecker at fault and vice versa.  I have noticed it most on the back any horse to win at cheltenham market.

Seen it CCM.  Cheers