Novice Chasers 2012-13
FSF: Graham Richards Form & Speed rating TF: Timeform rating RPR: Racing Post rating
Current entries: ARK: Arkle Chase; JEW: Jewson Chase; RSA: RSA Chase; NH CH: National Hunt Chase
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FSF
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TF
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RPR
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ARVIKA LIGEONNIERE
ArK & JEW
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This fellow returned from an enforced absence to land a novice chase at Punchestown in May 2012. Following a summer break, he made all to land the two and a half-mile Drinmore Chase and two-mile Racing Post Chase at Leopardstown. He was, in my opinion, far more impressive in the former race, leaving the impression he is happiest going right-handed. Looks sure to win more races and probably at his best when fresh. Effective on good through to heavy.
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143
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158
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156
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DYNASTE
RSA & JEW
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Dynaste has not been extended to land chases at Cheltenham, Newbury, before landing a below-par Feltham Chase at Kempton Park. Despite staying three-miles in the latter event, he is, I believe, capable of showing plenty of speed, suggesting the Jewson would be the right race for him. His jumping has been excellent, while he handles good to soft through to heavy ground.
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140
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158
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162
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SIMONSIG
ARK
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Two facile wins at Ascot and Kempton Park have propelled this fellow to the top of the Arkle market. A free-going sort, we know he handles Cheltenham having hacked-up in the 2012 Neptune Hurdle. Simonsig has jumped well on both occasions over fences and appeals as the type that goes well fresh. He should get the fast pace to help him travel and settle if the likes of Overturn and Arvika Ligeonniere turn up for the fun. In the longer-term, Simonsig’s pedigree suggests he will stay three-miles. If his exuberance can be harnessed it would bring races like the 2013 King George VI Chase into play.
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140
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162
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165
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OSCARS WELL
ARK & JEW
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High-class hurdler that is finding the switch to fences harder than expected. Nevertheless, he has shown steady improvement and promises to improve further when racing over two and a half-miles. Unlucky not to win the 2011 Neptune Hurdle, the Jewson appears a sensible target. It is true to say his fencing has not been overly fluent at times. Given that, the slower pace of the Jewson will put less pressure on his jumping.
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137
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148
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156
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UNIONISTE
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Fast improving novice chaser who put up an excellent performance when winning the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December. Two and a half-miles on good to soft through to heavy, appears to suit him. Further improvement will see emerge as a Jewson prospect though another handicap is not out of the question
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137
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147
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153
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Overturn
ARK
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Overturn has taken well to fences winning at Sandown Park and Doncaster. On both occasions, he jumped for fun. However, trying to make all in a Grade One at Cheltenham is another matter. In addition, top-class hurdlers Time For Rupert, Grand Crus, and Peddlers Cross, all similar types, failed to land a Grade One at the Festival in their novice season.
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136
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154
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158
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BOSTON BOB
RSA
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Tough and talented sort that just failed to land the Albert Bartlett in 2012. His FSF rating for that race suggests he was just below his best that day. Likely to have one more run before March, he should a fresher horse. Boston Bob’s chasing debut at Navan was considered something of an anti-climax. However, the second is well-regarded by his trainer, despite disappointing on his next run where he finished lame. The pair were miles clear of the third, clocking a good time figure in the process. The runner-up had the run of the race leading Boston Bob to work hard, over an inadequate trip. It should be noted he jumped well for a chasing debutant. Likely to improve considerably for that run, he is effective on good to soft too heavy.
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135
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145
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156
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Captain Conan
ArK & JEW
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Captain Conan recorded wins at Cheltenham and Sandown Park, impressing on both occasions with his jumping. He made all at Sandown Park and galloping his rivals into submission. With Simonsig in the same stable, it has been suggested this fellow will go for the Jewson. However, despite the fact he is thought likely to stay, his breeding suggests it is not a “gimme”, particurlarly on the dams side. If he were mine, I would be sorely tempted to go for the Arkle before moving up in trip.
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135
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150
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152
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HOUBLON DES OBEAUX
RSA
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A better chaser than hurdler, Houblon De Obeaux’s FSF rating appears to have levelled out, suggesting handicaps looking his best option. A winner at Prestbury Park over hurdles, two-mile five-furlongs may prove his best distance over fences. Good to soft or soft suits him well, despite his ability to act on heavy.
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135
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147
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149
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AUPCHARLIE
RSA & JEW
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Two runs over fences have established Aupcharlie as one of the better novice chasers in Ireland. Having bolted up at Gowran Park in November, Aupcharlie was a shade unfortunate not to beat Back In Focus at Leopardstown over Christmas. He went clear approaching the last but stumbled on landing losing vital momentum. Despite rallying, he went under by a head in a driving finish. Although he stays three-miles, he appears equally effective over two and a half-miles. Followed up with a narrow margin defeat at Naas; once again, he was caught near the finish. A drop back to two and three-quarter-miles may be the answer; however, I now have a slight question mark over his resolution. Acts on good to soft through to heavy.
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134
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151
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153
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RAJDHANI EXpRESS
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Rajdhani Express finally fulfilled the promise of his 2010 French form at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. Clocking an excellent time figure, he destroyed the opposition in a handicap chase. His FSF rating suggests he can prove competitive in the Jewson. However, it also indicates his official rating of 142 is a workable mark. Soft to heavy suits him well.
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134
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147
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151
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BACK IN FOCUS
NH Ch & RSA
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Out and out stayer who appears happiest on soft to heavy ground. Battled on gamely to touch off Aupcharlie at Leopardstown, having looked beaten approaching the last fence. If the ground is as normal at the Festival, one would imagine his the National Hunt Chase would be the sensible target. Both his breeding and style of racing suggest he will relish the four-mile trip.
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131
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152
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153
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Fago
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Having finished second in a Grade One Chase at Auteuil, Fago arrived in the UK to join the Wylie team at Ditcheat. Sent to Newbury for a novice chase, he made all to win comfortably from Ohio Gold. Apart from minor mistakes at the water and last fence, where he got into the bottom of the obstacles, he jumped impressively. Rated 154 in France, he looks an exciting addition to this division. Fago is likely to have one more run before connections decide whether to take on Simonsig and chums in the Arkle.
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131
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145
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152
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SIRE DE GRUGY
ARK
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Winner of two of his three chases, Sire De Grugy ran a fine race in defeat behind Captain Conan at Cheltenham. Good to soft through to heavy over two-miles appears ideal, while a flat track may bring out the best in him.
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131
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144
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146
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HIGHLAND LODGE
RSA
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When this chap is on his game, he is very good. Overall, he strikes me as a decent handicapper rather than a Grade One winner-in-waiting.
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130
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147
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152
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OUR FATHER
RSA
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Our Father’s profile displays he is at his best on his seasonal reappearance. Soft to heavy ground over three-miles suits him admirably. Whether he will repeat his November romp again this season, is anyone’s guess.
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130
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149
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155
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COURT IN MOTION
NH CH
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Consistent novice chaser who, given his trainers comments, has a surprise entry in the four-mile National Hunt Chase. After his win over at Lingfield Park, his trainer stated, “On this sort of ground he could be a two and half to two and three-quarter mile horse.” His breeding suggests three or three and a quarter-miles is his trip.
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129
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141
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144
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Super Duty
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Super Duty is a likeable sort that enjoys racing at the head of affairs. Despite being unsuited to the winter ground he has faced this season, he has recorded three solid efforts. Most noteworthy was his game success at Cheltenham in December. His FSF rating suggests his official mark of 139 underestimates his ability. Two and a half to two and three-quarter-miles on good or good to soft, should being improvement on what he has achieved thus far.
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129
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142
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142
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ROLLING ACES
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Improving young staying chaser that has shown so far that he stays two and three-quarter miles over fences. Effective on good through to heavy, his collateral form suggests he will not look out of place in his chosen race.
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127
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144
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149
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Marito
ARK
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Jumped well to win novice chases at Thurles and Naas. Despite being on the upgrade, he has some way to go to justify his Arkle entry. Soft to heavy ground looks ideal.
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126
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146
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143
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Alderwood
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With one win at Cheltenham to his name (County Hurdle 2012) Alderwoods recent win puts him in the picture for this year’s Festival. Whilst almost certainly not good enough for the Arkle the Grand Annual on the last day looks a viable target. Whilst FSF and RPR ratings are yet to match his hurdle figure, one can make an educated guess that there is more to come. He ended last season on an official mark of 148. The Irish handicapper has allotted 135, 4lb below his County Hurdle win.
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?
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136
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