Novice Chasers 2020 / 2021

Grasshopper said:
My take from the race is somewhat similar to DOs. Cobden did a tremendous job of finishing as far as possible off the winner, and not buckling the horse's mark right off the bat. Definitely one to keep an eye out for when he runs in a handicap.

As for Shishkin, what's not to love? Just a couple of jumps where he showed the slightest inclination of favouring going left, but nothing that would remotely worry you, and otherwise pretty spectacular for a novice.
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I did think Mick Pastor could have got a lot closer as well.

Surely he’ll be obvious in handicaps now though. Got to love JP
 
Grand Annual for MP springs immediately to mind but he'll probably need a few runs to get experience. I think novices have a good record in the race but maybe somebody can confirm or set me straight on that.
 
granger said:
Will we ever get a Shiskin/Envoi dust up?
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Seems highly unlikely. Races for them both throughout the spring at their preferred trips. Maybe the 2-mile Grade 1 at Punchestown, though I think it more likely Envoi might go up in trip for the 3-miler, if Henderson takes Shishkin over as an Arkle winner.
 
Desert Orchid said:
Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalmmmmmmmmmm...

We already know he's very high class.

Now we know he can jump.

But my eye was constantly drawn to Mick Pastor who was never at any point in the race asked to come off the bit. He managed to finish second because the only other finisher was a 250/1 shot but that was the most obvious non-trier you'll ever see.
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Aye, but there’s jumping and there’s juuuumping.
 
Amazing to see a jockey taking a pull between the last 2 fences when 15 lengths down.

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Like a couple have already said, much as I enjoyed watching Shishkin I was half focusing on the 2021 Grand Annual winner in behind. He'll need another 3 or 4 lbs to get in but that shouldn't be a problem between now and March
 
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JP may well have a couple more equally viable alternatives for the Grand Annual. One in a stable who is even better able to get them handicapped right for the Festival, and happened to win it last season too.
 
Mullins’ Monkfish, The Big Getaway and Five O’clock amongst the entries for the 2m5f beginners chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
 
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Monkfish declared for Saturday. Unsurprisingly, no Five O’Clock or The Big Getway in opposition.
 
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Good news. You'd have thought that's the race that Willie would be running his number 1 RSA hope in. A first indication that if all goes well Five O'Clock will probably head to the NH Chase.

I'm still undecided which way I think The Big Getaway will go. I think he could go to any one of the Marsh, RSA, and NH Chase.
 
Everybody loves a Grey but I have a feeling I'm going to be a big, big fan of Caribbean Boy. That was a beautiful round of jumping, even when he had to fiddle a couple.

I really like this horse and be interesting where he goes from there because that's it for novices for him.
 
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Absolutely criminal he was allowed to go off that price, a lovely win.

I echo wilsons statementS, as perfect a round of jumping as you’re likely to see. Nicky thinks he’ll get 3, few nice races round Christmas and the New Year were I expect we’ll see him again.
 
He's going to be mid 150 after that and if he did need the run then mark that up to c. 160. Not beyond the realms of possibility he could end up in the Ryanair but that's one hell of a leap from beating the overrated Fiddlerontheroof so I'd say more likely to follow the Janika path and lump top weight in the Plate mid to long term.

Unless he takes in something like the Ascot chase before then as a good run there would see him conceding lumps in March.
 
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Thyme Hill and Fury Road (Janadil too) have boosted the Bartlett form nicely.

Hoping for a stag-like, head-in-chest performance from The Monk tomorrow morning.
 
Took the 38 that was available on the machine about Next Destination for the RSA when the news came through that Pumpkin had him. Hoping he can put in a good round today at Newbury.
 
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