2026 Stayers Hurdle

[Black Dog]

I don't think he sees it that way to be honest - I think he's picking and choosing the train of thought depending on whether it suits his agenda

That's what I was getting at.

 

[punterorplonker]

Really positive Hobbs tour, quite a few good chances going in! Big thomas moor and obviously imperial saint fan. Also really pleased they are staying bold with French ship. Sounds like they could give a few a chance at the festival for once, been super light the last few years. It can only run in the stayers right? The comments were a bit weird, but either way. I think could be a great price at 50s or 60s if they go 4 places

 

[Eggs]

…..trainer says Potters Charm likely to head to Aintree.

 

[Black Dog]

Dan Skelton:
"Aintree was a good option but we have to look around and about. He did a nice piece of work at Warwick on Friday and if the ground is acceptable (at Cheltenham) good to soft or soft than it's more than likely we run.

Hallelujah, could all change again though I suppose...

 

[kinloch brae]

Dan Skelton:
"Aintree was a good option but we have to look around and about. He did a nice piece of work at Warwick on Friday and if the ground is acceptable (at Cheltenham) good to soft or soft than it's more than likely we run.

Hallelujah, could all change again though I suppose...

Exactly, reading that you would say 99% certain to run, but how many times have we had the will run/won't run stuff? I can't think of any other horse who has had this sort of palaver surrounding his/her possible participation. The only people who benefit from that are the bookmakers. I feel for anyone who might have cashed out their 20/1.

In the last few years I have argued for Ballyburn in the Turners, Fact To File in the Ryanair, and Inothewayurthinkin in the Gold Cup. All three were very impressive winners, arguably the best of the meeting. Hopefully, this one can follow suit, but there was only ever one way to find out about the stamina.

 

[Killiney]

Exactly, reading that you would say 99% certain to run, but how many times have we had the will run/won't run stuff? I can't think of any other horse who has had this sort of palaver surrounding his/her possible participation. The only people who benefit from that are the bookmakers. I feel for anyone who might have cashed out their 20/1.

In the last few years I have argued for Ballyburn in the Turners, Fact To File in the Ryanair, and Inothewayurthinkin in the Gold Cup. All three were very impressive winners, arguably the best of the meeting. Hopefully, this one can follow suit, but there was only ever one way to find out about the stamina.

Your comment about the uncertainty benefiting the bookies triggers an old thought of mine that there might be financial link between some trainers and bookies! It is an old suspicion of mine - it could there be a reality to it!

 

[kinloch brae]

Your comment about the uncertainty benefiting the bookies triggers an old thought of mine that there might be financial link between some trainers and bookies! It is an old suspicion of mine - it could there be a reality to it!

Problem is, how could you prove anything? It isn't a link that looks good. What's the trade off?

Skelton has the tie up with Ladbrokes. When Kabral Du Mathan was 20/1, both Ladbrokes and Corals were 8/1, easily the shortest. So maybe I have read this totally wrong, and he was always going to run?

 

[riccirich]

I mean are there any other viable options for kabral now other than cheltenham after skipping his last two entries?

For a trainer who's all out to get his first trainers championship it would be insane for one of his best horses to not run for over three months in the middle of the season for no reason.

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

Looking at the entries for this again, surely Ballyburn runs. He's the only Mullins entry (unless supplementing) and would therefore be Townend ride.

It wasn't that long ago he was 5/2 fav for the race before he bombed out at Christmas. That was when a lot of the Mullins horse were underperformed so if you forgive that run, his price is huge. Previous festival form etc etc.

I was expecting him to be single figures NRNB tbh.

At the prices, I'd have him as the best bet of the festival.

 

[Lobos]

Totally agree Faugheen that he runs, no question in my mind.

It's just your last sentence I'm worried about......you can't be serious??

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

Totally agree Faugheen that he runs, no question in my mind.

It's just your last sentence I'm worried about......you can't be serious??

Deadly serious.

14s is an outstanding price for a horse of his ability. I was dead against him last season over fences, but he's a different horse over hurdles.

Put a line through his Christmas run and he'd be favourite for this. You need to be of the forgiving nature, but it's not hard to pass over one poor hurdles run imo.

 

[Lobos]

Deadly serious.

14s is an outstanding price for a horse of his ability. I was dead against him last season over fences, but he's a different horse over hurdles.

Put a line through his Christmas run and he'd be favourite for this. You need to be of the forgiving nature, but it's not hard to pass over one poor hurdles run imo.

I backed him myself early in the hope he going back over hurdles might help but I struggle to see him turning the form around. Don't think he had any excuses last time ? He's done nothing since his Festival win to suggest a repeat.

 

[Rooster Booster]

Deadly serious.

14s is an outstanding price for a horse of his ability. I was dead against him last season over fences, but he's a different horse over hurdles.

Put a line through his Christmas run and he'd be favourite for this. You need to be of the forgiving nature, but it's not hard to pass over one poor hurdles run imo.

Surely the money would have come by now if connections felt the Hattons grace was the race to focus on. Particularly if he was really pleasing them at home. Sometimes when it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck it’s coz it’s a duck. That said he’d be one I’d want to cover just in case but best bet of the festival is a stretch for me personally.

 

[Wayward Lad]

IMO in general we are too quick to write a horse off after just one poor run……however the upside is that it does on occasion offer value opportunities

Maybe Ballyburns second run over hurdles this season came too quickly?…..he was after all fav to beat Teahupoo…..was any excuse offered?

Being beaten by Teahupoo by a nose to then such a poor run surely isn’t his true form?

 

[Rooster Booster]

IMO in general we are too quick to write a horse off after just one poor run……however the upside is that it does on occasion offer value opportunities

Maybe Ballyburns second run over hurdles this season came too quickly?…..he was after all fav to beat Teahupoo…..was any excuse offered?

Being beaten by Teahupoo by a nose to then such a poor run surely isn’t his true form?

TBF I think this fella has been given more benefit of the doubts than most horses

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

Surely the money would have come by now if connections felt the Hattons grace was the race to focus on. Particularly if he was really pleasing them at home. Sometimes when it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck it’s coz it’s a duck. That said he’d be one I’d want to cover just in case but best bet of the festival is a stretch for me personally.

It does require a little bit of 'keeping the faith' but he's got the residual class to win this - the Turners win shows that. I only have him as best bet at current prices - if he was 7/1 i wouldn't even be backing him.

He's not the most likely winner of the week, but like every bet, it should come down to price.

He's a win only proposition for me as i can't really see him placing. It'll be all or nothing.

 

[Istabraq]

IMO in general we are too quick to write a horse off after just one poor run

Completely agree, especially when it comes to the best trainer of NH horses who has a clear strategy of getting horses back late and bringing them along slowly, nothing they do in December reflects what they do in Spring.
However, with Ballyburn I think he is a puzzle for the yard, there was talk of handicapping because they weren't sure he was up to top level class, perhaps his Hattons Grace run surprised them and made them re-think but his run over Christmas has to be considered a step back.
He would be a class addition to the Stayers field, not entirely dissimilar to Bob Olinger last year, and there'll be worse 14/1 shots running at the festival, but I'm not in a rush to get him onside....

 

[Rooster Booster]

It does require a little bit of 'keeping the faith' but he's got the residual class to win this - the Turners win shows that. I only have him as best bet at current prices - if he was 7/1 i wouldn't even be backing him.

He's not the most likely winner of the week, but like every bet, it should come down to price.

He's a win only proposition for me as i can't really see him placing. It'll be all or nothing.

Oh I totally get it. Personally I’m going to wait for a sign , sacrifice a few points if necessary and increase my stake accordingly. I do not trust the horse and need to see some real confidence.

 

[Durham Edition]

I guess the question is does he get the 3m or is he a 2 and a half miler. I think 2 and a half is his thing and will be better suited to Aintree.

 

[Quevega]

I’m still expecting jimmy to be supplemented