• HELP US - Become a Patron - Fat Jockey is a horse racing community focused on all the big races in the UK and Ireland. We don't charge users but if you have found the site useful then any support towards the running costs is appreciated ... a small donation each month would be a huge contribution. Become a Patron!

2026 Novice Hurdlers

Is he definitely going to that G1, as a maiden?

Not Willies MO is it
It isn’t usually but he’s been cut twice, think he started about 8/1 and was soon cut to 5/1, within the last week he’s 7/2.

In fact just checked and he’s now 3/1 fav with you proof out to 9/2.
 
It isn’t usually but he’s been cut twice, think he started about 8/1 and was soon cut to 5/1, within the last week he’s 7/2.

In fact just checked and he’s now 3/1 fav with you proof out to 9/2.
I thought Doctor Steinberg would have been the #1 choice originally, he's got the proven form where as the others need to get up to his level
 
With El Cairos potentially skipping the meeting, Ballyfad could lead Elliott’s hopes in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle.

“Ballyfad was good in Leopardstown, I was happy with what I saw and he’ll definitely go for the two-miler,” said Elliott.

“He was impressive there and, while his home work isn’t fancy, I’m looking forward to running him.

“Skylight Hustle is in over two miles and two-five. He’s had three runs over hurdles this year, so whether we go to the DRF or not is not a certainty. It wouldn’t shock me if he stepped up in trip this season, he isn’t just a two-miler.

“It’s to be decided whether he goes straight to Cheltenham or runs at the DRF, he just doesn’t need another run but don’t be surprised if he goes.”
 
I thought Doctor Steinberg would have been the #1 choice originally, he's got the proven form where as the others need to get up to his level
Don’t disagree mate, just what DDM odds have done since betting opened.

Doesn’t always materialise that was as we know though :ROFLMAO:
 
Don’t disagree mate, just what DDM odds have done since betting opened.

Doesn’t always materialise that was as we know though :ROFLMAO:
Yeah maybe he will be the one, like you say plenty times Flutter do get it right.
 
The record for the latest hurdling debut for a winner of the Supreme Novices is held by Ebaziyan, who made his first appearance over hurdles on February 18, 2007.

Trained by Willie Mullins, it provided one of the greatest shocks in the race's history. His career trajectory was highly unconventional for a Grade 1 novice:

Hurdles Debut: February 18, 2007, at Navan.
Cheltenham Victory: March 13, 2007.

Time Span: Just 23 days elapsed between his first-ever run over hurdles and winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Starting at odds of 40/1, he remains one of the longest-priced winners of the race and the prime example of a horse winning the Festival opener with minimal experience.

Unlikely, but not impossible for it to occur again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EnvoiAlien
Floated down to the start, 4 of us on the rail watched it & looked behind us, had zero chance of getting to a bookie to back it then getting back to our spot to watch the race, my first festival in person too, was a quality weeks racing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Irish Rugby
I would have been more taking by Old Park if he had show a bit more in him bumper - he looked pretty damn average in then, so I marked his Kempton performance down and thought his Cheltenham win looked good because he was beating trees. Just couldn’t believe he would improve so much from his bumpers

If this horse turns out to be at the same level as Shishkin, Altior etc, then you do question why the horse didn’t show much - is it because Nicholls doesn’t really push them and saves them for the follow season? Or… has Nicholls be able to run a potential superstar 10-15 lbs where he should have been over bumpers

Either way, the optics don’t read too well, particularly as Act of innocence may still turn out to be half decent and Kabral has also moved forward since
 
The record for the latest hurdling debut for a winner of the Supreme Novices is held by Ebaziyan, who made his first appearance over hurdles on February 18, 2007.

Trained by Willie Mullins, it provided one of the greatest shocks in the race's history. His career trajectory was highly unconventional for a Grade 1 novice:

Hurdles Debut: February 18, 2007, at Navan.
Cheltenham Victory: March 13, 2007.

Time Span: Just 23 days elapsed between his first-ever run over hurdles and winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Starting at odds of 40/1, he remains one of the longest-priced winners of the race and the prime example of a horse winning the Festival opener with minimal experience.

Unlikely, but not impossible for it to occur again.
Ebaziyan's hurdling debut was Jan 21 at Cork where he was 2nd in a maiden hurdle. Followed it up with a win in a maiden hurdle at Thurles 11 days later on Feb 1st. That gave him a break of 40 days before the Supreme.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Quevega
Ebaziyan's hurdling debut was Jan 21 at Cork where he was 2nd in a maiden hurdle. Followed it up with a win in a maiden hurdle at Thurles 11 days later on Feb 1st. That gave him a break of 40 days before the Supreme.
He was also a multiple winner on the flat, running 6 times and winning twice, including his last run in a handicap off a mark of 82. Fou De Toi is a once raced French hurdler...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Prestbury
Is Act Of Innocence one that shows more at home than at the track, owner seems to think he theres nothing between him an Old Park Star.

Minella Yoga a fair animal but getting touched off at 2/7 can't seem AOI as a festival bet.
I know someone lives in Lambourn (as previously reported) he has his ear to the ground and after Old Park won at Cheltenham he told me that Act of Innocence was thought to be the better horse. Whether that’s true on the track as on the gallops remains to be seen. I’m taking the view that they will be separated and I cannot see Old Park going in the Turners.
 
No Fou De Toi, Leader D'Allier or Love Me Tender in the Supreme currently for Willie, according to Tayz on Twitter!

Love Me Tender is in the Turners & Bartlett though.
 
No Fou De Toi, Leader D'Allier or Love Me Tender in the Supreme currently for Willie, according to Tayz on Twitter!

Love Me Tender is in the Turners & Bartlett though.
Love Me Tender in the Turner's , would do nicely for me !! . 👍..not covered in the Bartlett.. yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ComplyOrDie