• 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 Juveniles

My thinking is that Maestro conti's last race there were 5 of them within 4L of eachother. Yeah MC could have won a little easier, but he was also getting 2lbs off OHT

I couldn't see those in and around there being anywhere close if they were shot in the Spring Juvenile.

I'll not be surprised one bit if we see a Willie 1-2-3 come next month
Do you think Narciso Has would be more vulnerable on better ground?
 
My thinking is that Maestro conti's last race there were 5 of them within 4L of eachother. Yeah MC could have won a little easier, but he was also getting 2lbs off OHT

I couldn't see those in and around there being anywhere close if they were shot in the Spring Juvenile.

I'll not be surprised one bit if we see a Willie 1-2-3 come next month
Yeah the way he was ridden in that race always meant the winning margin wouldnt be huge, but yeah the form on papers not worth a whole lot, just dont think the irish form is as much better as the ratings suggest. Narciso being rated higher than sir gino was going into the triumph for example I cant have. Looking at the form of that maestro conti race hardy stuff was beaten 25l at 4/1 behind maestro, that proves it 🤣
 
Anyone any thoughts on minella study for this ? The second has come out and pissed in since and he beat the third a lot further than maestro conti did.
Yeah I'd give him a decent chance too in what I think is an average year. His profile and connections aren't that sexy but wouldn’t be surprised if his form is good enough to be in the mix.
 
Narciso Has would definitely be more vulnerable on good ground as it would put more emphasis on speed. He is about stamina and as such has the course in his favour. Anyone on here hopeful of getting him beat? I would like to oppose him, but seem to have run out of viable options. We have had two entries with flat ratings over 100 absolutely bomb in the last two days.
 
Narciso Has would definitely be more vulnerable on good ground as it would put more emphasis on speed. He is about stamina and as such has the course in his favour. Anyone on here hopeful of getting him beat? I would like to oppose him, but seem to have run out of viable options. We have had two entries with flat ratings over 100 absolutely bomb in the last two days.
I don't get the same bombproof vibe from Narciso that I had with Vauban and Lossie. Could be wrong as I do think his last run was worth upgrading given the work he did out front, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was outsprinted.

Also must be stated how likely are we to get good ground? I'd say not very
 
Narciso Has would definitely be more vulnerable on good ground as it would put more emphasis on speed. He is about stamina and as such has the course in his favour. Anyone on here hopeful of getting him beat? I would like to oppose him, but seem to have run out of viable options. We have had two entries with flat ratings over 100 absolutely bomb in the last two days.
I'm not sure if ground would be an issue for Narciso, the better the ground the earlier mark walsh will send him, he's not going to let it turn into a sprint. The ground was quick enough in Leopardstown when he clocked a good time. I'd have Proactif as his only danger and that's if they don't send him to the supreme.
 
Narciso Has would definitely be more vulnerable on good ground as it would put more emphasis on speed. He is about stamina and as such has the course in his favour. Anyone on here hopeful of getting him beat? I would like to oppose him, but seem to have run out of viable options. We have had two entries with flat ratings over 100 absolutely bomb in the last two days.

He's the rightful fav, and depending on how the week goes for JP and Mark, he could be an EVS money shot on the day too.

Banged the drum a few times now but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Selma de Vary got ALOT closer next month. Paul give her a nice easy ride from the back the last day and with improvement expected aswell, she's bang there. If she didn't miss the last hurdle in the DRF she's only beaten 3L by him I'd say, not discounting the ground she actually gave away to him when the tapes went up.

If Paul can sit her just that bit closer in 3rd/4th throughout, she's going to give him something proper to think about as she'll be stalking him all the way down to the last flight.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BraveInca
I'd say that's assuming that the Irish juvenile form is stronger than the British, which I'd be far from certain about.

Ratings might say the likes of maestro conti have a good bit to find, but I wouldn't be so sure. Narciso has beaten mange tout and selma de vary. Mange tout form was nothing great before beating him. Selma looked like she was only there for a day out last time and could turn the form around in future, and there's question marks over how good she is too given she wasn't a top notcher in france.

Not saying I'm a big maestro fan, just that they look a fairly average bunch to me so far, wouldn't be surprised if there was six in with a chance going over the last.
Yep, totally agree re being certain about uk and Irish form, not easy to know until the race itself.
That plus the 100/1 winner last year tells me not to be too dogmatic when it comes to finding the winner of a Triumph Hurdle.
Narciso Has does look very good , but there’s a few others that really could be anything, and I for one will be looking to some to take him on with.
Absolutely.
 
He's the rightful fav, and depending on how the week goes for JP and Mark, he could be an EVS money shot on the day too.

Banged the drum a few times now but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Selma de Vary got ALOT closer next month. Paul give her a nice easy ride from the back the last day and with improvement expected aswell, she's bang there. If she didn't miss the last hurdle in the DRF she's only beaten 3L by him I'd say, not discounting the ground she actually gave away to him when the tapes went up.

If Paul can sit her just that bit closer in 3rd/4th throughout, she's going to give him something proper to think about as she'll be stalking him all the way down to the last flight.
I thought the DRF race was pretty much a match race between Narciso Has and Mange Tout with the latter cracking late on. The second might have been flattered as she was ridden to pick up the pieces, and even allowing for those tactics, didn't finish her race off that strongly. Too short for me.
 
I thought the DRF race was pretty much a match race between Narciso Has and Mange Tout with the latter cracking late on. The second might have been flattered as she was ridden to pick up the pieces, and even allowing for those tactics, didn't finish her race off that strongly. Too short for me.

It's harsh to say she didn't finish off her race. I'd more take the view that Narciso Has got to dictate the race as he pleased and SDV still managed to pick up Mange Tout on her first run for 3 month. The front 2 kicked after 2 out and was always going to be hard for SDV to reel them in with the ground she had to make up
 
Narciso Has would definitely be more vulnerable on good ground as it would put more emphasis on speed. He is about stamina and as such has the course in his favour. Anyone on here hopeful of getting him beat? I would like to oppose him, but seem to have run out of viable options. We have had two entries with flat ratings over 100 absolutely bomb in the last two days.
I'm in the same camp - I'd like to oppose him but struggling for viable alternatives. Hard to know what to make of SDV - on one hand the vibes were that she would improve markedly for the run, on the other she looks a little flattered by the way the race was run and I too wasn't taken with her finishing effort. I like Proactif but i) not sure where he will run and ii) Willie seemed quite dismissive of him (certainly in relation to the Supreme). The two British horses (Maestro C and Minella S) look solid without knocking your eye out and after that its hard to find much else. I think Narciso might go off pretty short if the going is soft.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lobos
He's the rightful fav, and depending on how the week goes for JP and Mark, he could be an EVS money shot on the day too.

Banged the drum a few times now but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Selma de Vary got ALOT closer next month. Paul give her a nice easy ride from the back the last day and with improvement expected aswell, she's bang there. If she didn't miss the last hurdle in the DRF she's only beaten 3L by him I'd say, not discounting the ground she actually gave away to him when the tapes went up.

If Paul can sit her just that bit closer in 3rd/4th throughout, she's going to give him something proper to think about as she'll be stalking him all the way down to the last flight.
I was watching her runs over in France, she seems like a bit of a lunatic and riding her cold out the back seemed to be the key with her
 
I was watching her runs over in France, she seems like a bit of a lunatic and riding her cold out the back seemed to be the key with her

She's obviously a little hot headed with her wearing a hood, but wasn't bad in the Prix Sagan when allowed her head infront. I'd like to see her put in and amongst horses instead of sitting stone last. I'm sure she won't be in the Triumph with the deadwood in there
 
  • Like
Reactions: FredFlintstone
Think Selma has and will be overbet. Too short already and will shorten further. Those who have backed for lay will have done well out of her but she won’t win. Be surprised if she’s in contention come the bottom of the hill. She’s the shrood’s eyecatcher.

As is common in these situations, the winner isn’t getting the credit he deserves. Done all the hard work and still won well. If something beats Narciso I expect it to be British. Can’t say with any certainty currently which side of the Irish Sea have the best juveniles.

Most, including me, naturally assume the Irish will be superior - but it’s not a given.
 
Think Selma has and will be overbet. Too short already and will shorten further. Those who have backed for lay will have done well out of her but she won’t win. Be surprised if she’s in contention come the bottom of the hill. She’s the shrood’s eyecatcher.

What's the thinking behind this if you're expecting NH will be a huge player?

That bold bit is some statement mind :ROFLMAO:
 
One has had the complete run of the race, the other has had to do all the hard work and made all.

The one doing all the heavy lifting has smashed the other by 5 lengths and never looked troubled.
 
One has had the complete run of the race, the other has had to do all the hard work and made all.

The one doing all the heavy lifting has smashed the other by 5 lengths and never looked troubled.

Did Narciso Has not have the run of the race? He did in my eyes anyway, he was kept honest by Mange tout but never pestered, and all weekend it was horses on the speed that were coming up trumps so don't agree with that statement myself.

Narciso Has was hard fit - SDV first run for 3months
First run for Willie and he said there'd be plenty improvement in her as she missed work.
Ground conceded at the start was nigh on the winning distance give or take
 
Not had a bet in the Triumph and doubt I will until the day. Between the 2 JP horses probably so I'll look at the w/o fav market for Proactif. If he goes Supreme, I'd have Maestro Conti as the best of the British. He'll sit off the pace and creep into contention in the long run to the last. He'll not win by much with his style of racing and he'll be tough to beat at Aintree.
Minella Study I think was beating a bunch of horses wanting a handicap mark last time. The Minella horse bought by Mullins would be of interest but I imagine they'll keep him for the novices next season.

Narciso Has looked good last twice but the juvenile race at the DRF had the quickest FSP% of the hurdle races that day so he's been able to dictate from the front a bit IMO. See if anything else takes him on at Cheltenham but I think Mark will just sit him in behind if something wants to go from the front at a decent pace.
 
Did Narciso Has not have the run of the race? He did in my eyes anyway, he was kept honest by Mange tout but never pestered, and all weekend it was horses on the speed that were coming up trumps so don't agree with that statement myself.

Narciso Has was hard fit - SDV first run for 3months
First run for Willie and he said there'd be plenty improvement in her as she missed work.
Ground conceded at the start was nigh on the winning distance give or take
Don’t have to wait that long to find out the answer 👍
 
Don’t have to wait that long to find out the answer 👍

Not saying NH won't confirm the form or anything, I suspect he might but feel will be alot closer myself.

But the writing one off and talking the other up can't understand