2025 Novice Hurdlers

[Eggs]

….Regents Stroll;


Nicholls told Sky Sports Racing: “If he hadn’t done that (mistake), how far would he have won?

“It’s good to see them make mistakes, recover and win well. He’s a horse with huge potential and huge ability and we just need to get experience into him.

“He can win over two or two and a half (miles). I was saying the way he won his bumpers that he’d want two and a half and the further he goes the better he goes, but I haven’t got a definite plan.”

Cobden added: “He’s obviously got serious talent. I actually wasn’t that happy with the way we went through the race because I was doing far too much on the way round.

“It wasn’t ideal and then he’s just stepped at the second-last and made a hell of a mistake – he was lucky to stand up. But he’s got a serious engine, hasn’t he?”

[Runragged]

Also spoke of not being happy throughout as he was "doing too much" and potentially dropping to 2m before March so he learns to settle. I'd be fairly certain he'd go Turners (for right or wrong) and if he sorts out his jumping (he was fine when he had a stride, but not great otherwise), I reckon he'll be best of the British

Need to watch the race again but I thought he was fantastic at his hurdles for a novice making his jumping debut, barring the one obvious error. He looked quick and efficient, pinging each one with minimal effort. Considering he was also a little keen then connections really should consider the Supreme where his effective hurdling would be of benefit the most. I've had a nibble at the 50/1 for the Supreme just because it is the race they should go for in my mind.

[darlojim]

Had some pennies on don'tstopthemusic for the Turners novice hurdle on the machine

Declared in a strong looking maiden this weekend against the likes of A Dream to Share, Ballygunner Castle & Harbour Highway.

Was ultra impressive winning at Punchestown at the end of last season over 2m2, connections said before the race they couldn't see him beat that day, he'd been doing some impressive work with Fastorslow in the buildup.

People who knows peds better than I do will be able to have a better idea on trip for him, but his turn of foot and pace he showed coming through the full field in that bumper was very eyecatching, Sire shows both speed and stamina on his side, and dam had dodging bullets so looks to me could be flexible regarding trip right now.

8/1 with 365, I'll take a bit of that EW for tomorrow

[Runragged]

Need to watch the race again but I thought he was fantastic at his hurdles for a novice making his jumping debut, barring the one obvious error. He looked quick and efficient, pinging each one with minimal effort. Considering he was also a little keen then connections really should consider the Supreme where his effective hurdling would be of benefit the most. I've had a nibble at the 50/1 for the Supreme just because it is the race they should go for in my mind.

Yeah, I wasn't mistaken. Not sure what happened with that 2nd last though? Met it on a reasonable stride but just had 2nd thoughts. Hopefully as Nicholls said, he will learn from that as he has bags of potential.

[Odin]

Yeah, I wasn't mistaken. Not sure what happened with that 2nd last though? Met it on a reasonable stride but just had 2nd thoughts. Hopefully as Nicholls said, he will learn from that as he has bags of potential.

I thought he was good generally as well, but Fitz on Sky Racing said he was just guessing and throwing himself at them, rather than organising his feet in and around them. I trust that's something he would know better than me given I've never ridden a horse and it does make sense with your comment about the second last.

What we can agree on undoubtedly though is that he's got some engine on him to pick up the bridle again so quickly after the mistake and I hope he does learn from it because he could be a weapon of a horse - particularly if we get a soft ground Cheltenham that blunts the speed of others.

[Quevega]

I thought he was good generally as well, but Fitz on Sky Racing said he was just guessing and throwing himself at them, rather than organising his feet in and around them. I trust that's something he would know better than me given I've never ridden a horse and it does make sense with your comment about the second last.

What we can agree on undoubtedly though is that he's got some engine on him to pick up the bridle again so quickly after the mistake and I hope he does learn from it because he could be a weapon of a horse - particularly if we get a soft ground Cheltenham that blunts the speed of others.

That was fitzy saying "Big dozy bastard" in ITV language.

I have backed him by the way (for context)
Not just picking on him, as he looks to have lots of ability and a really good engine.
Just needs to sharpen himself up. Looks a bit on the slow side mentally.

edit - I meant the horse not Fitzy.
although there's nothing wrong with a double meaning

[Odin]

That was fitzy saying "Big dozy bastard" in ITV language.

So question for you (and anyone else who thought this immediately) - how did you come to that conclusion? For me, he looked like he flew the hurdles in a really nice shape other than the second last. What did I not see?

[Quevega]

So question for you (and anyone else who thought this immediately) - how did you come to that conclusion? For me, he looked like he flew the hurdles in a really nice shape other than the second last. What did I not see?

His size and The way he travelled - he seemed to be doing too much and not fully relaxed, like he was fighting the jockey.
It's why I backed him after the race as to do that and be acting the goat was impressive.

Fitzgerald described the horse as almost leaning into the jockey, (I took that to be him saying he was a bit mulish) mules are reliably dumb on the whole. Although probably an unfair characterisation based on the cross breeding stigma.

I think the jockey also commented about the horse doing too much in his hands also.

Basically he looked a bit less tractable than ideal.

[BalthazarKing]

So skip Festival you thinking?

Share the opinion of most here, will end up down the field in turners for March. But next year is when you'll see the best when he's over a fence

[Lobos]

Share the opinion of most here, will end up down the field in turners for March. But next year is when you'll see the best when he's over a fence

Yep,like 99% of Paul's.

[Runragged]

Worth remembering that most of Nicholls Turners horses don't run and win over 2m. Majority start and stay at around 2 1/2m over hurdles...

[Odin]

Basically he looked a bit less tractable than ideal.

Got ya - essentially I saw very similar but processed slightly differently... think I prefer "big dozy bastard" to my description

[YoungHustler]

Really looking forward to seeing The New Lion tomorrow who I think scared off Nicholls from running Regent's Stroll in a race he has been recently targeting his best novices at. He's facing Califet En Vol who was also impressive on debut but I think TNL will have more speed. He just looks really exciting to my eyes so happy to take the 25s and hope he wins impressively tomorrow!

[Birds Nest]

Really looking forward to seeing The New Lion tomorrow who I think scared off Nicholls from running Regent's Stroll in a race he has been recently targeting his best novices at. He's facing Califet En Vol who was also impressive on debut but I think TNL will have more speed. He just looks really exciting to my eyes so happy to take the 25s and hope he wins impressively tomorrow!

Me too, looks a lovely contest. Will be watching the market closely on this one tomorrow . Theres been a bit of money for hendo's and its tightening up, they might even flip flop.

[YoungHustler]

Me too, looks a lovely contest. Will be watching the market closely on this one tomorrow . Theres been a bit of money for hendo's and its tightening up, they might even flip flop.

Looks like the real money is on The New Lion this morning and I think he'll go off a strong favourite.