Novice Chasers 2020 / 2021

I understand why you would be too, but to Skelton's credit he's now starting to come across more in his methods like his old boss Nicholls than Martin Pipe. I think the penny has dropped that he needs Festival graded horses if he's going to progress. So far the game has seemed to be all about volume and landing a touch. The improvement for a fence from Shan Blue has been huge. Protektorat too, plus Allmankind. He needs marking up now I think, because he's starting to look as good as anyone for improving horses from hurdles to fences.

I can think of plenty of horses beaten well in Festival novice hurdles that have gone on to be top chasers. Just not from Skelton so far. And while all three of those mentioned have tough tasks against Shiskin, Envoi Allen, and Monkfish, I think it's a worse than evens chance that two of the three finish in the places in the three novice chases.
 
barjon said:
The Irish seem to have the whip hand atm, but you’ve picked a coupl of UK ones that are down the Timeform ratings list -

NOVICE CHASERS

154P ENVOI ALLEN
153p GALVIN
153p PENCILFULLOFLEAD
151p ASTERION FORLONGE
151 COURT MAID
150p ALLMANKIND
149p ANDY DUFRESNE
149p PROTEKTORAT
148P SHISHKIN
148p EASYWORK
148p ENERGUMENE
148p FELIX DESJY
148p GUMBALL
148p MONKFISH
148p SHAN BLUE
148 FUSIL RAFFLES
147p EARLY DOORS
146P UNEXCEPTED
146p BLACKBOW
146p HITMAN
146p NEXT DESTINATION
146p SEVARANO

It’s difficult to see past Envoi Allen, but I’ve a bit of hope for Shishkin coming through.
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Mildly surprised that Monkfish doesn’t get the large ‘P’, given how easily he did it first time up, and the susbequent form of the Bartlett placers over hurdles (jury still out on Latest Exhibition).
 
Has Unexcepted had a setback? Not entered at Leopardstown even though this was the stated target after his debut win.
 
Monkfish gave me a wow factor performance on debut.
I've got a feeling Latest Exhibition could be the one that reverts to hurdles and becomes a major player for the stayers.
 
ep1987 said:
Has Unexcepted had a setback? Not entered at Leopardstown even though this was the stated target after his debut win.
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Minor but expected to run at the DRF. I've cashed out for now and will re-back for my book when I see an entry.
 
Unexcepted could be one of those horses that running fresh is an advantage. He's bled in the past.
 
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Townend goes to Limerick for just the one ride on Asterion Forlonge in the G1 Faugheen. WPM also runs Janidil and Colreevy.

Assemble and Pencilfulloflead complete the line-up.

Ground going to be testing and a tight racing line on the downhill run.

Proper race.
 
Some novice chase over at Limerick.

Asterion Forlonge
Pencilfulloflead
Colreevy
Janidil
Assemble

Could make a case for any of them.
 
Double J said:
Some novice chase over at Limerick.

Asterion Forlonge
Pencilfulloflead
Colreevy
Janidil
Assemble

Could make a case for any of them.
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A brave man who gets aboard Asterion Forlonge, cant jump, still has a tendency to veer violently right..
 
Asterion got away with the mistakes on debut but paid the price today.
He was good when allowed to go short but put down when Townend asked him. Clearly has some engine.

Janidil disappointed when let down and looks better when allowed to dictate in weaker company. Not a grade 1 horse.
 
Yeah doesn’t win anything in March for me.

Anyone think Envoi is slightly over rated? I know he’s a good horse, but the comparisons to Kauto etc are too far fetched YET.

Hes the one that’ll go off shortest and the one I want to take on most. I just don’t know what with. I’ve put a line through Janidil after his jumping.

Keep coming back to Protektorat, but can’t help myself thinking he’s another over hyped Skelton horse. His hurdle form was average. Much like Shan Blue everyone’s falling over, can’t have him either.
 
Double J said:
Yeah doesn’t win anything in March for me.

Anyone think Envoi is slightly over rated? I know he’s a good horse, but the comparisons to Kauto etc are too far fetched YET.

Hes the one that’ll go off shortest and the one I want to take on most. I just don’t know what with. I’ve put a line through Janidil after his jumping.

Keep coming back to Protektorat, but can’t help myself thinking he’s another over hyped Skelton horse. His hurdle form was average. Much like Shan Blue everyone’s falling over, can’t have him either.
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Horrible take. Envoi Allen's form is bombproof.
 
Double J said:
Yeah doesn’t win anything in March for me.

Anyone think Envoi is slightly over rated? I know he’s a good horse, but the comparisons to Kauto etc are too far fetched YET.

Hes the one that’ll go off shortest and the one I want to take on most. I just don’t know what with. I’ve put a line through Janidil after his jumping.

Keep coming back to Protektorat, but can’t help myself thinking he’s another over hyped Skelton horse. His hurdle form was average. Much like Shan Blue everyone’s falling over, can’t have him either.
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Harsh on Shan. That 3 mile novice chase at Kempton on Boxing Day usually works out doesn't it?

The way people have talked its as if he was stopping towards the end.

He was up on the pace the whole way and will come on for that run. He's far from the finished article.

I still can't believe Skelton has ruled out the RSA already, I really can't.

I can only think they want his long term future to be in the Ryanair Chase as opposed to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Might they swerve the festival altogether?
 
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Marb said:
Harsh on Shan. That 3 mile novice chase at Kempton on Boxing Day usually works out doesn't it?

The way people have talked its as if he was stopping towards the end.

He was up on the pace the whole way and will come on for that run.

I still can't believe Skelton has ruled out the RSA already, I really can't.

Might they swerve the festival altogether?
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I wouldn’t be certain for sure the festival will be on at all at the minute.
 
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