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2026 Novice Hurdlers

darlojim said:
Post race interview on RTV, Nicky said

Certainly feels like AOI is a 2miler. AOI likely go to the Formby or 2m Introductory hdle @ Newbury couple days after (sounded more like newbury iirc)

Said OPS could go trials day 2m5 next half a mile further, but didn't look like he needed it today

Try keep them apart for now

Nico said he could go another half mile
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They must think a fair bit of AOI, to be taking OPS out in trip, after what we saw today.
 
ComplyOrDie said:
They must think a fair bit of AOI, to be taking OPS out in trip, after what we saw today.
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AOI still got to prove he can be 2m at higher level and if not, every chance OPS could go the 2m route

Said they'll split them so maybe just dont want them to go separate ways
 
darlojim said:
AOI still got to prove he can be 2m at higher level and if not, every chance OPS could go the 2m route

Said they'll split them so maybe just dont want them to go separate ways
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Oh, absolutely! AOI could be a red herring to keep the price for OPS in the Supreme :ROFLMAO:
 
ComplyOrDie said:
Oh, absolutely! AOI could be a red herring to keep the price for OPS in the Supreme :ROFLMAO:
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Probably one to watch out for but if AOI falters next time, might be worth adding/topping up on OPS - Supreme for sure
 
darlojim said:
Post race interview on RTV, Nicky said

Certainly feels like AOI is a 2miler. AOI likely go to the Formby or 2m Introductory hdle @ Newbury couple days after (sounded more like newbury iirc)

Said OPS could go trials day 2m5 next half a mile further, but didn't look like he needed it today

Try keep them apart for now

Nico said he could go another half mile
Click to expand...
That Classic novice hurdle on trials day is usually a bit of a slog (quite often an AB trial). It would be unlike Nicky to send him there. More likely to go for something like the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon if he wants to go out in trip I would have thought.
 
Prestbury said:
That Classic novice hurdle on trials day is usually a bit of a slog (quite often an AB trial). It would be unlike Nicky to send him there. More likely to go for something like the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon if he wants to go out in trip I would have thought.
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Yeah I had the sidney banks in mind tbh
 
Nothing would be set in stone at this stage and there are options for both horses right now. They will want to see more from both horses during the season before committing.
But as far as comments from trainer thus far, he has said AOI looks a 2 miler and mentioned the Formby and an introductory hurdle as possibles, and he did mention the possibility of stepping up in distance on trials day for OPS.
Be fascinating to see how it all pans out.
 
To me that looked like a very strong 2m staying performance, which sounds silly when 2m is the shortest distance but we tend to see the Supreme as needing the stamina due to the pace they go on the opening day and race. Then the Turners needing that potent turn of foot as the pace tends to be slower.

Be interesting if they both make the Grade when in deeper waters as the season progresses.
 
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Carnage at Taunton said:
Nothing would be set in stone at this stage and there are options for both horses right now. They will want to see more from both horses during the season before committing.
But as far as comments from trainer thus far, he has said AOI looks a 2 miler and mentioned the Formby and an introductory hurdle as possibles, and he did mention the possibility of stepping up in distance on trials day for OPS.
Be fascinating to see how it all pans out.
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I think that only becomes a decision if both look like viable grade 1 winners at the fez. hendo tends to run his best in the supreme so I think we'd need both to win we'll next time out for keeping them apart at the fez to be a factor?
 
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Two different Styles of animal OPS stretched his field from 2 out, AOI quickened up the run-in from a decent animal showing tactical speed.
 
fatherjohn said:
I think that only becomes a decision if both look like viable grade 1 winners at the fez. hendo tends to run his best in the supreme so I think we'd need both to win we'll next time out for keeping them apart at the fez to be a factor?
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Yes he does prefer Supreme, and if they were different owners I think it could well mean both run in the race if they prove up to the level.
The fact they are same owned makes both races very possible imo.
But yes things still have to happen for both to turn up in March.
 
Whatever happens, It is nice to see Hendo with a couple of decent ones which hopefully will prove to be top level novices, more competition the better.
 
…..note Ruby Walsh’s charity bet on TV this morning, 7yo Porthill making his hurdles debut over 3m at Fairyhouse today.
 
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See Gordon has said El Cairos will run in a maiden over Christmas.
 
……Ladbrokes have a ‘special’ for Nicky Henderson’s Ionian (Supreme) @ 50-1. Presume somebody has requested it ahead of an entry for Newbury on Weds.

Ionian is 66-1 Sup with a few firms.
 
The unbeaten Mister Pessimistic will bid to follow in the footsteps of Sizing John when heading to Leopardstown at Christmas for the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge has looked a real talent since making a successful switch from the pointing field, winning a bumper at Listowel in September before impressing on his hurdles debut at Cork.

He will now head into deeper waters over the festive period for a race won by the likes of Istabraq and Hurricance Fly as well as the Knockeen handler’s only success story in the race, subsequent Gold Cup hero Sizing John.

“He’s a nice, young horse and he has done very little wrong,” said De Bromhead. “He won his bumper in Listowel and then his maiden hurdle in Cork and everything behind him seems to have won since.

“We backed off him then and it’s quite hard after you have won your maiden in Ireland, you are straight into these graded novices, so it was either the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse or here at Christmas.

“I think he might have a preference for nicer ground so as long as it is not overwatered, generally you get nicer ground here.

“He’s a horse we like and I was going to stay bumpering but he jumped so well I said we would go hurdling. He’s only a four-year-old, but we won it with Sizing John as a four-year-old.”

He added: “Sean Doyle trained him as a point-to-pointer and must have had me in mind to buy him given his name. I couldn’t not buy him when I knew what he was called.

“It will be a good race, but he’s a good horse, so we’re looking forward to it.”
 
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