2023 Novice Hurdlers

[Lobos]

Crickey, I know Santonito wasn't dining at the top table in bumpers, but form looked solid enough didn't it!

Hasn't stopped me backing the hype train but this might serve as an early season reminder as to sit on my hands

His Bumper form does appear on paper to be way ahead of MN doesn't it. Thats not to say MN could easily live up to his trainers bullish remarks. Santonito got narrowly beat by three of Mullins including a future Festival winner in The Nice Guy and a Festival Bumper 4th behind the second coming Facile Vega. He then beat a Mullins Bumper hot pot to lose his maiden tag before being put away. IMO, he should be favourite to win today on that form even accounting for him potentially needing a step up in trip later. It'll be a tough start for Marine Nationale and if he comes through it successfully then on a line through Santonito's form then it'll be a very nice start.

[Winging The Last]

To me Marine Nationale could be this season's My Mate Mozzie. From a smaller yard, comes out early to try and win a few decent races early in the season before the big Stables send out their big guns. His main target will be the Royall Bond I suspect.

MMM won the same race last year before winning a G3 at Navan in November and then 2nd in the Royal Bond. In the end came 8th in the County at Cheltenham

[FinalFurlong91]

To me Marine Nationale could be this season's My Mate Mozzie. From a smaller yard, comes out early to try and win a few decent races early in the season before the big Stables send out their big guns. His main target will be the Royall Bond I suspect.

MMM won the same race last year before winning a G3 at Navan in November and then 2nd in the Royal Bond. In the end came 8th in the County at Cheltenham

Agreed

He will win a few races this side of Christmas then get swatted aside by the mullins big guns after

[charlie]

Agreed

He will win a few races this side of Christmas then get swatted aside by the mullins big guns after

Both really good posts and essential punters get their heads around this before backing horses for Cheltenham. So easy to get sucked into October winners (I already have with 1) but it pays to be patient and wait for the class.

[robith]

Hurdles debut date for last 11 winners of the Ballymore

Sir Gerhard - 26 Dec
Bob Olinger - 2 Nov
City Island - 1 Aug (seasonal debut 26 Dec)
Samcro - 19 Oct
Willoughby Court - 3 Nov
Yorkhill - 6 Dec
Windsor Park - 29 Dec
Faugheen - 17 Nov
The New One - 1 Oct
Simonsig - 18 Nov

So October can be done, but it's tended to be later (though perhaps outcome bias due to large amount of WIllie runners?)

[Lobos]

Agreed

He will win a few races this side of Christmas then get swatted aside by the mullins big guns after

If he wins impressively today, the sad thing is JP will probably buy him and he'll end up at Mullins or Henderson's. Maybe that's why the trainer is hyping him up, to get his profile up and be noticed. The trainer owns him as well so ?250,000+ will help him no end.

[Exar Essay]

That was impressive from Marine Nationale. Mighty keen, a little green, and won it on the snaff.

[Olliemagern]

Lovely first round over hurdles that. And way he let them come up to him and just went away was nice. Not sure there’s a lot in behind but decent introduction

[ComplyOrDie]

He's not beat much, but he couldn't have done it any easier. A very nice start from Marine Nationale, there.

Trip? Anyone's guess. Looked as though he could have gone round again though.

[Atlantic Viking]

He couldn't have done that much easier, like he was in his own little World. Very tidy round of jumping for a first timer.

[Quevega]

Good debut from Marine that. Liked how the jockey took his time but the last four hurdles he really attacked and took them well.
if he can settle better he looks handy.

[RoadToCheltenham]

Absolutely f***ing lethal.

[Eggs]

….still 20-1 available Supreme/Ballymore Marine National. 12-1 a/r Hills remains.

[The hill]

Did that well, don't see much need to up the trip in my mind looks a light scope 2 mile 5 up the Cheltenham hill may take away that speed when needed, I suppose Barry will wait and see where the big hitters go.

[Can't Catch Me]

With the second fav running below par (yet another of Gordon's) you'd have to think he would only have needed to run to a rating of early 120's to win that easily! Very poor race indeed. But I really think this horse has a bit of the x factor about him. Hoping he can go right to the top... glad to have him onside and connections well overdue a good one.