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2026 Novice Hurdlers

ComplyOrDie said:
Certainly worth keeping an eye on, though his p2p time was one of the worst on the day (weight adjusted), and he was 5 seconds slower than the first division (With Nolimit - now with Gordon for Gigginstown) off the same weight.

Obviously times don't always tell the full story, nor should they be completely trusted when it comes to the p2p's.

I was tempted by a win today/any race bet, but given the above I wonder if they'll just skip the festival with him, with a view to chasing next season.
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Not sure I'd be tempted with win today/any race - given Skelton's comments that he is going to go steady with him its unlikely that he will get in the required number of hurdle runs for a handicap. That just leaves the novice races - Supreme unlikely based on Skelton's comments of "further he went the better" and he will only be a 5yo next year which is a big negative for the AB (particularly as it doesn't sound like he will get a lot of experience). If I were to back him I'd probably go all in on win today / Turners. Having said that, agree that Skelton's comments tend towards missing the Festival this year.
 
….Minella Marathon introduced at 20-1 AB, 25s Turn with Hills after that win. Not many have him priced up.
 
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Cobden on No Drama This End.....

Asked if he is exciting Cobden said: "Yeah, he is - a very, very good workhorse at home and we're pretty excited to get him out. I think we'll see him at Cheltenham on Friday. He's schooled well, he's working well and I'm pretty excited to be riding him.

"He bolted up in his bumper at Warwick first time out last year and then he ran fine in the champion bumper, but I didn't really think the race was run to suit.

"But his jumping's been good and he's just the one horse, the one novice that I've sat on this year that I just thought ‘yes, this lad could be proper’. Look we've got lots of nice horses, but this chap just feels a bit different."
 
Lobos said:
Cobden on No Drama This End.....

Asked if he is exciting Cobden said: "Yeah, he is - a very, very good workhorse at home and we're pretty excited to get him out. I think we'll see him at Cheltenham on Friday. He's schooled well, he's working well and I'm pretty excited to be riding him.

"He bolted up in his bumper at Warwick first time out last year and then he ran fine in the champion bumper, but I didn't really think the race was run to suit.

"But his jumping's been good and he's just the one horse, the one novice that I've sat on this year that I just thought ‘yes, this lad could be proper’. Look we've got lots of nice horses, but this chap just feels a bit different."
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Paul Nichols is a bit of a laughing stock nowadays though isn't he. He's a washed up has been
 
BigL said:
Paul Nichols is a bit of a laughing stock nowadays though isn't he. He's a washed up has been
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Cobden isn't a bad judge though
 
BigL said:
Paul Nichols is a bit of a laughing stock nowadays though isn't he. He's a washed up has been
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Not sure I'd go with 'washed up has been' but his judgement has certainly gone downhill a bit and the new kids on the block have moved pretty clearly ahead of him now. Harry Fry was threatening to do what Dan Skelton is now doing at one point. He hardly has any runners these days. I wonder what changed
 
Anyone know if there's been an initial indication from McConnell about Heads Up being more Turners or Potato bound? One I like the look of up in trip but scratching my head as to which distance might suit best.
 
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Native River said:
Anyone know if there's been an initial indication from McConnell about Heads Up being more Turners or Potato bound? One I like the look of up in trip but scratching my head as to which distance might suit best.
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Hadn't seen anything, but I went on past history and backed him for the Bartlett only.

40/1 with cash out (still that price after his debut) was enough to tempt me.
 
You'd have to think he'd have no chance in a Turners, as they'll be something much more 'classy'. So if you're tempting to back him you might as well go Bartlett anyway. Win today & AB I'd probably take at 100s...

May have been a bit blunt / harsh there but I'm sure you know what I mean.
 
Benjy23 said:
You'd have to think he'd have no chance in a Turners, as they'll be something much more 'classy'. So if you're tempting to back him you might as well go Bartlett anyway. Win today & AB I'd probably take at 100s...

May have been a bit blunt / harsh there but I'm sure you know what I mean.
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….WTAF 66-1 Hills.
 
Native River said:
Anyone know if there's been an initial indication from McConnell about Heads Up being more Turners or Potato bound? One I like the look of up in trip but scratching my head as to which distance might suit best.
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What I read , a while ago , John McConnell
Said Heads Up , was one of the best he's had . Did mention the Turners , i.i.r.c. .
But i would more expect to see H.Up
line up in a Bartlett I.m.o. 👍.
 
Just do TWAR guys. No point guessing and throwing ammo away at different races. He must be a decent TWAR price surely??
 
Lobos said:
Just do TWAR guys. No point guessing and throwing ammo away at different races. He must be a decent TWAR price surely??
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….as far as I can see he’s not in Hills a/r list. Good run under a terrific ride in Champion Bumper.
 
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Cheers fellas, agreed potato seems the likely route just wondered if he'd said otherwise. Interesting he must rate him from what he's said than Chaang
 
Mark Howard’s update raises concern around The Reverend taking to his new role hurdling due to his smallish stature…...even though he was one of Marks strongish picks ante post for the Supreme
 
Can we assume he isn't working well at Closutton?
 
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