Entries Released Runners and Form We have seen a couple of the leading contenders for this race already this season and both have ran great races. Overturn was really impressive and put in a nice round of jumping, however I was really taken with Captain Conan this weekend as I really rate Sire De Grugy and think he ran to his merits on Sunday. We are still to see the antepost favourite Simonsig for this race, also from the Henderson yard. However there is a horse I would be interested in and he is sure to be a massive price, however I have no idea what has happened to him. Last seen finishing a long way last to Khyber Kim in the Aintree Hurdle 2010. Previous to that beating Zaynar at Kelso on his seasonal reappearance in desperate ground. He missed all of last season through injury. The horse in question Quwetwo. An absolute giant of a horse that was made to jump fences, does anyone know if he is still in training? Anyone else got a dark horse they fancy for this, or is it a race for the market leaders?
Quwetwo was still in training this time last year as he was one of the Wylie horses sent to Mr Nicholls. However, a quick look on the latter’s website shows Quewtwo not to be currently with Mr Nicholls. At any rate though he’s rising 10 and to win an Arkle at such an advanced age would I imagine be next to impossible especially when you consider he’s never jumped a fence in public. Although I thought Captain Conan did it very, very well at the weekend I would have my doubts about him re the Arkle. This being (a) because he is much better on ‘soft/heavy’ ground and history shows that the race isn’t run in such conditions and (b) I think he will be so much better over further and perhaps already needs 20+ furlongs. No really strong opinions re the Arkle this time around, at this stage, but certainly if transforming his hurdling form to fences, and remaining sound, Simonsig should go very, very close. Trained by Mr Henderson, who has won the race 4 times, he really couldn’t be in better hands.
Overturn did put up a near faultless display on his first run over fences but i would be amazed if he were good enough to win an arkle
keep a eye out for hinterland ,16s for arkle,should be out at Sandown on tingle creek day. I'm also hoping overturn turns up so hinterland can give him a hard time up front to see how he handles instead of having a soft lead like lto . that novice chase on the day cue card won at exeter looks to gone unnoticed ,but hinterland was forced to go to fast early by peckhamecho and the pace was fast for novices and he did well to not get beat that far despite his blunders on top and peakhamecho was tailed of. the winner theatre guide his more of a stayer and finished well of the fast pace and 25s for jewson.
It's likely that half of the thos currently quoted will not run in the race such is the uncertainty surrounding ante post punting at Cheltenham, especially in novice events. A couple I think could have what it takes to win the race, lAlderwood finished off the season with 3 successive valuable hurdle races and with wins on heavy and quick ground and battle hardy enough to get his head in front of a County hurdle field confirms he's genuine. The other one I like is Oscars Well, impressive winner on his chase debut but he tipped up at Punchestown on Sunday and will need to brush up if planning on taking on the best of the novices come March. But as I say, not one to get involved with in November !
Just the fact that Simonsig is being aimed at the Arkle must mean he'll be bang there. Obviously a very skinny price but it could be argued that he was the most impressive hurdler from last year in all divisions. If connections had decided to keep him over hurdles i'd imagine he'd pretty much be the market leader for the champ hurdle. For connections to turn their back on a potential champion hurdle he must be working (and jumping) well at home. The fact they have a prospect like captain conan in the same stable only provides more confidence. They presumably know simonsig is better otherwise why bother with fences when the champion hurdle would be at his mercy. It is certainly a debut to look forward to.
Whilst I was impressed with Captain Conan on Sunday, I just felt he got the right ground for him, and I think he may struggle against quicker horses in March on a better surface. Simonsig is favourite, but we all know hurdles form doesn't necessarily translate over to the bigger obstacles. However if he does take to chasing he'll be very hard to beat. Overturn was foot perfect in his first run over fences, and I like the look of him, whilst there are some big noises coming out of Ireland about Oscars Well, despite his mishap on Sunday. Not a market you want to getting involved in antepost though
They were undecided between the Neptune and the Potato race race season, for a horse they were convinced would get 3m why drop him back to 2m ? And if 2m was his optimum trip why wasn't he aimed at the Supreme ? The has never run over shorter than 2m 2f, he simply has to be Jewson or RSA bound for me....
If Simonsig is as good as I think, they won't be going for the Jewson with him - it'd be a step down. IMO Simonsig, if he trains on this season and isn't a huge flop, wins whichever race he turns up for - Arkle, RSA, Champion Hurdle, Grand National.
This race Is starting to look more and more like a two horse race. The Irish two mile novices look a moderate bunch and I wouldn't be surprised to see Oscar's Wells line up in the Jewson. Beneficent look to have his number on Saturday anyway and he's a million miles away from being Arkle class. Arvika Legionaire has to recover from Saturday's fall and even if he turns up he'll struggle to dominate from the front. ***o is interesting but I'd like to see him again. That's leaves us with Simonsig V Overturn. A small field race will definitely suit Overturn and it's interesting to see if he can get Simonsig 'at it' at any point. Personally I have a feeling this race will be predictable. Overturn will set off at a manic pace, which will hello Simonsig settle. Geraghty will be motionless as they come to the last and will pull away uo the hill.
It will be interesting to see which horse Ruby opts to ride in the race. Arvika following that rather disappointing fall LTO or ***o following his outstanding English debut LTO. I don't understand the antipathy towards Overturn. Second in a Champion Hurdle. impressive so far over fences. Possesses natural speed and stamina. Has an excellent jockey on his back. Simonsig could just be the better horse but he is surely better suited to a longer trip (even round Cheltenham) than the 2 mile Arkle. In the past a run of 155 has been enough to win the Arkle. I think Overturn is more than capable of that on the day.
I wouldn't be too sure of ***o running in it. I would think the Jewson would be absolutely ideal for him and he does have form over further in France. I can't see past the market leader at the minute, but if we get a small field, possibly it could be set up for Overturn to dominate.
Cannot see anything getting near Simonsig, who by all accounts is the only horse in the yard that can work with SS. Why oh why Mullins is targeting the Arkle with Arvika Ligeonnere i do not know? would hold a superb chance if he went for the RSA, as he showed on his first start of the season before Mullins made a gaff and dropped him back in trip.
RSA for Arvika? I'd fancy him for the Jewson. Fast track to the poor house to back a Mullins chaser as far as i'm concerned. For every horse that jumps well they produce two that jump poorly.
