The Road To The 2018 Champion Chase

Given the type of horse Chris Jones likes to acquire, owning a top class 2 miler is probably not a stated aim.

Only a very soft festival would possibly slow others down and bring them back to OW rather than vice versa.

I would think he'll be stepped up next term and aimed at a big handicap somewhere.
 
I think there's possibly a little bit left in his mark, but you've got to think there will be plenty of others on good marks in the Grand Annual, and I'm not sure that's where I'd test it.

My immediate thoughts were to save him for one of the other Festivals, and I'm also thinking he's bred to appreciate a step up in trip, so they might want to see if they can eek out a bit more improvement over the intermediate trip. He'd be interesting for next seasons Paddy Power off his current mark.
 
I can't see Min getting anywhere near Altior. I reckon it's safe to say both are better chasers than they were hurdlers and before someone brings Buveur D'Air into the equation don't even go there.

While Altior wasn't at his best in his Arkle win he has shown no hint that he has gone backwards for the switch and Min has done nothing to have me thinking he's suddenly the nest coming.

The ++ on those 176 I can agree with but the 175 Min is nonsense...Ordinary World 149 rated right there at the last??? He wouldn't get near Altior getting a stone IMO
 
6 days decs

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Anyone have a think if Douvan doesn't go they would send UDS and stick Yorkhill in the Ryanair? I'll be ******* ill if they do.
 
Regarding Douvan and Faugheen, he added "Douvan and Faugheen are both in great form and both worked great this morning and it's all systems go. Min is in the Champion Chase and Un De Sceau is in the Ryanair so I don't know about (race plans for) Douvan, but he's in great form."
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Ruby not certain to ride Douvan according to RP - says it might even be the toss of a coin . I tend to think the UDS needs bottomless ground is bullshit - his sudden need for soft ground only appeared after he was beaten by Sprinter Sacre. If it is soft I think UDS deserves to go back to the Champion - he looked to be coming to the end of his tether in the Ryanair last year . If they go bonkers on soft ground will he get home.
 
There is no way on this green earth that Ruby will allow Min, Douvan and UDS to be in the same race.


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I can still see Douvan lining up in the Ryanair though. Less pressure on his jumping after the long layoff, and Willie has said many times in the past that he would want further as he gets older. Chasing Altior around after his absence can't be better than chasing UDS round.
 
Maruco said:
I can still see Douvan lining up in the Ryanair though. Less pressure on his jumping after the long layoff, and Willie has said many times in the past that he would want further as he gets older. Chasing Altior around after his absence can't be better than chasing UDS round.
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Still doesn't answer the 'who Ruby rides conundrum'. But I take you're point and would suit me perfectly as I'm heavily invested in Min for the QMCC and have strong NRNB positions on both Waiting Patiently & Douvan for the Ryanair. However right now I'm not confident in either getting a run.

I've been very keen to take UDS on in the Ryanair for approx. 358 days now! He beat absolutely nothing last year. A bunch of mediocre horses in behind him. He won despite ground and distance not being his preferred. The 152 rated Aso in 3rd tells you all you need to know imo.

The problem I have now though, is that if WP (And Douvan) do not show up, the race looks like it could be just as weak again with an ageing Cue Card and Balko Des Flo (who I'm just not sure about) as the only obvious one's to take him on with.

I'd be absolutely delighted if Douvan went in Ryanair with Min left in the QMCC to seek his long overdue revenge on Altior.

#minthemerciless
 
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I’d prefer the other Ricci horse in the Ryanair. It could still happen if they’re 100% happy with Douvan who is QM or nothing. Min however has won at 2m 5


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TheBear said:
I’d prefer the other Ricci horse in the Ryanair. It could still happen if they’re 100% happy with Douvan who is QM or nothing. Min however has won at 2m 5


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Yeah, Benie Des Dieux could be interesting if she lined up. The 7lbs allowance could handy. Never raced on anything quicker than soft though. So that's the unknown element there.
 
Ruby is bumping his gims to the Mullins tune again

"Douvan hasn’t run in 12 months, so do you ride Min over him? Min's had three runs this season and you could say he’s unbeaten over fences, even though he lost one in the stewards’ room?

Fences have improved Min, that’s for sure, but it’s hard to argue they haven’t improved Altior as well. Min is match-ready and Douvan has the back class.

I don’t know where I’m going to find my answer between now and Monday, but hopefully I will. It’s a difficult one, a toss of a coin"

What complete bullshit from the man.

Mullins and Ricci have already stated Douvan only runs if they are 100% happy with him and they think he can win the race.

If Douvan run Walsh must have a 2 headed coin as Min wouldn't blow wind up a fit Douvan's backside and he knows it.
 
Gordon Elliott dropped a cracker when he said he didn't believe Mullins was going to run Douvan and PN apparently said Ruby rides Min..................can only hope they are wrong but if anyone outside would know it would be them
 
None of the panel at the Betfair Preview night - Elliott, Nicholls, Gary O’Brien, Olly Murphy and Paul Kealy - thought Douvan would run in the QMCC. I agree with them, but it was still a little surprising.
 
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