Arkle

[Posts: 109Joined: 22 Nov 2007, 04:51]

I think your getting confused Kez. Nicanor is Noel Meade's 9 year old who beat Denman in the 2007 Ballymore hurdle at the festival. He has ran a few races in Ireland recently after returning from injury, but has never ran in America. He is likely to run in a handicap at the festival this year. Also all male horses of 6+ have the same weight to carry in the Arkle.

[Posts: 4634Joined: 21 Dec 2003, 15:21Location: St. Helens]

The Nicanor you refer to Kez is a different horse - he is a half to Barbaro but is only 4yo. He's looked quite decent on the turf but nowhere near as good as his brother.

[Posts: 3918Joined: 31 Aug 2007, 23:42Location: derby]

I've had an ew on Woolcombe Folly; he didn't start his season till quite late because of an injury; if he's back to his best he could easily run into a place. Not sure what his rating was over hurdles, but I think he was pretty smart. Needs good ground, though. Didn't see how he jumped when he beat Mad Max.

[Posts: 38Joined: 31 Mar 2009, 18:22Location: Liverpool]

I've had an ew on Woolcombe Folly; he didn't start his season till quite late because of an injury; if he's back to his best he could easily run into a place. Not sure what his rating was over hurdles, but I think he was pretty smart. Needs good ground, though. Didn't see how he jumped when he beat Mad Max.

I watched the race and he just outjumped and outpaced Mad Max, whom I think has the attributes to be a top notch chaser. A really solid EW chance for Woolcombe Folly.

[Posts: 1584Joined: 09 Oct 2007, 20:57]

I am guessing from the market that Tataniano will now be running in the Grand Annual to conveniently allow Walsh to ride Sports Line in this. Stewart and Nicholls are often put forward as great for keeping punters in the picture. If this is true what a joke. Join the JP club chaps.

[Posts: 29Joined: 06 Mar 2010, 01:17]

How do people rate Sports Line's chances? May need soft ground

[Posts: 95Joined: 24 May 2009, 16:48Location: Exeter]

Sports Line is a good horse but I was disappointed that he got beat in the Irish Arkle and he will have to be better than that to win or even place here. He came off a good gallop, had the race in his hands and got passed by An Cathoir Mor, who hasn't done much for the form since.


I think that Sizing would have won that race and can't work out why they didn't run him.

[Posts: 1281Joined: 13 Jun 2008, 03:07Location: London]

THE ARKLE

113 Somersby
107 Captain Cee Bee
103 Tataniano
102 Shakervilz
101 Riverside Theatre
100 Osana
96 Sizing Europe
95 Kempes
92 Long Run
91 French Opera
91 Woolcombe Folly
91 Nicanor
90 The Nightingale
88 Bedlam Boy
87 Mad Max
87 Quiscover Fontaine
86 Sports Line
85 Uimhiraceathar
63 Bergo


BETTING

Captain Cee Bee (10/3) , Somersby (11/2) , Sizing Europe (13/2) , Long Run (10) , Riverside Theatre (10) , Sports Line (10) , Tataniano (16) , Osana (20) , Bergo (33) , French Opera (33) , Shakervilz (33) , The Nightingale (33) , Woolcombe Folly (33) , Kangaroo Court (40) , Mad Max (40) , Bedlam Boy (50) , Kempes (50) , Nicanor (50) , Quiscover Fontaine (50) , Uimhiraceathair (50)

VERDICT

The stand out selection in this race would be Captain Cee Bee who was a winner of the Supreme Novice Hurdle in 2008, he broke a blood vessel in 2008 and came back off a 608 day layoff to win a decent handicap but hasn’t really been put to the sword although he’s subsequently fell despite going so easily which makes you want to ask a few questions, will he be up for a scintillating end to end gallop, will he want to finish up the hill? We know the abilities there but his mental fitness will be put to the test after recent experiences.

There is however an emergence of a talented Novice Chaser who put up an impressive performance at Sandown running 1.82 seconds faster than Twist Magic who was primed for the Tingle Creek in top condition and he is Somersby, the sky really is the limit in the chasing world for Somersby who is a real big and fine looking chaser who has the potential to win a Gold Cup one day and on evidence to date he’ll take some stopping in the Arkle. Those who liked to think outside the box at bigger prices you’ll have to be interested in the pair Tataniano and Shakervilz.

Tataniano has definite potential but people are very quick to write of his chances when comparing him to last year’s Tatenen, but prior to the emergence of Somersby he was very much in the forefront of my mind with an Ante Post bet still on his head given his fine run at Cheltenham running 2.11 seconds slower than the Connaught Chase carrying an extra 6lb than the winner Well Chief with Master Minded in behind, I am convinced he has a lot of potential although he relishes good ground or better and with that in mind he’ll be avoided if the ground turns out too testing.

The other horse on the equation has to be the Willie Mullins trained Shakervilz, now I have let this one slip my mind especially as there hasn’t been too much talk surrounding his chances and the betting shows that but when working through the ratings I think you really have to take consideration of his chances, the race at Leopardstown when earning his figure of 102 was run on good ground despite every form book mentioning heavy and he beat a well backed horse that day called Sorceror who subsequently finished 6l behind Captain Cee Bee on his return but Shakervilz has come out and beat Sorceror again by 15l in the Group 2 Novice at Navan which leaves us in the a precarious position although he may not be up to winning an Arkle the trainer stated this is his most likely route and he’s definitely a nice horse to keep on the right side off.

BETS

Somersby Win @ 11-2
Tataniano EW @ 16-1
Shakervilz EW @ 33-1

[Posts: 1383Joined: 08 Jul 2009, 22:10Location: Wexford]

[quote="Our Vic"]Sports Line is a good horse but I was disappointed that he got beat in the Irish Arkle and he will have to be better than that to win or even place here. He came off a good gallop, had the race in his hands and got passed by An Cathoir Mor, who hasn't done much for the form since.


I think that Sizing would have won that race and can't work out why they didn't run him.[/quote]



Ehh, maybe because An Cathaoir Mór was good enough to win!

[Posts: 3918Joined: 31 Aug 2007, 23:42Location: derby]

Does anyone fancy French Opera in this [more to place than win]? Very good course form. Tempted by 25/1 ew.

[Posts: 2224Joined: 26 Nov 2002, 13:53]

Henderson does, I believe. Impressive profile. At least one of his seconds showed the best RPR in the race. Thanks. I hadn't checked until now.

[Posts: 3918Joined: 31 Aug 2007, 23:42Location: derby]

I don't think he has the 140+ hurdles rating that he needs to win the race which is why I'm thinking more in terms od a place. That stat seems bompproof in the Arkle.

[Posts: 2067Joined: 30 Sep 2007, 13:16Location: Lincs]

Tataniano not even going for the Arkle now.

[Posts: 703Joined: 22 Jan 2002, 10:44Location: Berkshire]

I'd backed French Opera at huge prices for this but he's not been declared

Looks like it will be the Grand Annual, but that's going to be tough off top weight

[Posts: 1584Joined: 09 Oct 2007, 20:57]

Tataniano not even going for the Arkle now.

See my comment three days ago!

The horse hasn't suddenly got worse since Newbury and the ground has moved in his favour. Complete disregard for the punters by Nicholls/Stewart just to keep Walsh happy.