New kids on block too hot for old One
The decision to send The New One chasing this term is interesting.
This horse threatened the world. When he ran away with the Neptune at Cheltenham three years ago, Nigel Twiston Davies’ charge looked like the second coming.
In pubs across the land, they will still argue he would have won the Champion Hurdle the following year had he not been hampered down the back straight and lost 10 lengths.
Ultimately, though, he was never able to scale those heights again, despite some brave displays in defeat. Now, at a late stage in life, The New One is being sent over fences.
That decision looks based on not being able to cut it at the very top as a hurdler and you fear the same thing might happen over the bigger obstacles.
With new kids on the block such a s A l t ior and Yorkhill ready to attack the Arkle route, The New One may struggle to keep pace with the very best.
Some cracking action today with Chepstow taking centre stage.
All eyes will be on Sire De Grugy as he makes his seasonal bow.
Gary Moore’s charge has legendary status within his yard after winning a Queen Mother Champion Chase and owes his connections nothing.
With Irish Cavalier and Art Mauresque lining up against him in Wales, the Sire might struggle to get off the mark.
One that interests me greatly going forward is Arpege D’Alene.
This time last year I was clutching ante-post vouchers for the RSA on this beast having been impressed with his novice hurdling career.
For whatever reason, the first attempt at chasing was a disaster.
Not quite up there with Old Guard’s nightmare on Friday but still bitterly disappointing and Paul Nicholls scrapped the plans to go back over timber.
Faith, however, has not been lost and after having a wind operation in the summer, the second try at jumping the big ones kicks off today.
This horse has bags of talent. If he takes to the game he could still go to the very top.
Coo Star Sivola, third in the Fred Winter at the Festival in March, might also be worth a bet on the card for Nick Williams.