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2026 Novice Hurdlers

Disappointing bunch imo.

Not even sure I can see the positives for my Sortudo bet in the AB. Didn't really shape like a Bartlett horse.
 
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Come the end of the season the form of that race won't be worth a pot to piss in, what an absolutely woeful race
 
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They definitely knew something!

Hard to take any positives there? Not even any stepping up (imo)
 
Benjy23 said:
Disappointing bunch imo.

Not even sure I can see the positives for my Sortudo bet in the AB. Didn't really shape like a Bartlett horse.
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Very disappointing.

CC went out like a light. Didn't have the pace to go from the front, and that was him done basically.

Saint Baco didn't stay.

Sortudo looked to be coming there swinging and found very little.
 
Looked like they were running in treacle up the straight!

Patrick having Sortudo 4 wide probably didn’t help his cause.
 
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I had Sortudo to beat I'll Sort That. Woops Game effort from the winner. Sortudo jumped really well and probably could have done with the last hurdle and going wide gave a few lengths away.
 
I wonder what price I'll Sort That would have gone off today if he were trained by Willie Mullins? Going into the race he was unbeaten in 3 over hurdles, including winning a Grade 3 last time, and was already rated 136. He must be heading towards the mid-140s after that win? Always difficult to gauge the effect of hurdles being taken out but coming into the home straight it was clear Townend was on the wrong one. I thought Sortudo was going to sweep past I'll Sort That to win impressively, but the winner kept finding.
 
An underwhelming race all round. Sortudo 4 wide not ideal, but not sure he wins in March either way. Creek out like a light, and baco non stayer….back to the drawing board. I know here’s still time, but are any of willies novices superstars??
 
Odddog said:
I wonder what price I'll Sort That would have gone off today if he were trained by Willie Mullins? Going into the race he was unbeaten in 3 over hurdles, including winning a Grade 3 last time, and was already rated 136. He must be heading towards the mid-140s after that win? Always difficult to gauge the effect of hurdles being taken out but coming into the home straight it was clear Townend was on the wrong one. I thought Sortudo was going to sweep past I'll Sort That to win impressively, but the winner kept finding.
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Yeah. Seems not a popular winner but imo a fair performance from the front that.
 
ComplyOrDie said:
Willie usually keeps his horses that start at 2m at 2m until they need to go out in trip, so I'm surprised to see both Saint Baco & Sortudo declared. I was surprised either were entered to be honest. I'm not sure what other options he had, so maybe this is why.

I don't really get the Saint Baco talk, I backed him for the Supreme, but have little interest in him for the Turners.

He's out of a dam who produced Saint Roi and by Cokoriko, a sire I don't have much love for, truth be told.

Saint Roi was a useful enough hurdler, but ultimately a 2 miler, so I backed Saint Baco based on this, in the hope his ability was influenced mostly by his dam.
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Turns out it was either a case of not staying or not good enough, or a bit of both. For now I'm going to have him as not staying the trip and therefore back to 2m could suit. He's in the 2m race at the DRF, but that's only just over 3 weeks away.

Back out to 50's for the Supreme, wouldn't put anyone off a nibble at that price! Going back in for a small bit myself.
 
Odddog said:
I wonder what price I'll Sort That would have gone off today if he were trained by Willie Mullins? Going into the race he was unbeaten in 3 over hurdles, including winning a Grade 3 last time, and was already rated 136. He must be heading towards the mid-140s after that win? Always difficult to gauge the effect of hurdles being taken out but coming into the home straight it was clear Townend was on the wrong one. I thought Sortudo was going to sweep past I'll Sort That to win impressively, but the winner kept finding.
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Patrick was so concerned about Townend I think he let the winner have run of the race. After Patrick knew he had Paul cooked he made a move to close the gap but just didn't have enough in the locker to go by I'll Sort That (Who as you say was a bit overlooked, probably because Sortudo had him held in bumpers).

Honestly think Sortudo is the best of Willie's bunch, which might not being saying much this year. Sneaky feeling we see him line up at the DRF over 2 miles in a few weeks, although that looked a bit grueling so we'll have to see.
 
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Brooksie said:
Patrick was so concerned about Townend I think he let the winner have run of the race. After Patrick knew he had Paul cooked he made a move to close the gap but just didn't have enough in the locker to go by I'll Sort That (Who as you say was a bit overlooked, probably because Sortudo had him held in bumpers).

Honestly think Sortudo is the best of Willie's bunch, which might not being saying much this year. Sneaky feeling we see him line up at the DRF over 2 miles in a few weeks, although that looked a bit grueling so we'll have to see.
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Maybe overlooked cos not trained by Mullins or Elliot?
 
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Carnage at Taunton said:
Maybe overlooked cos not trained by Mullins or Elliot?
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Yeah that does factor into it somewhat. But both Mullins horses were considerably shorter than I'll Sort that mainly because of the drubbing Sortudo gave I'll Sort That back in April. Lets say IST never ran in that bumper Sortudo won, you'd have found him considerably shorter in the market and possibly more people talking about him from an outside angle.
 
Surprised I could cash out for full stake on Sortudo for the Turners, backed last week before this race but after that performance i’d be surprised if he’s the type for the race. Can reassess nearer the time but wouldn’t be for me at the moment.

Want to take No Drama This End on but nothing seems to be putting their hand up. Can understand some thinking I’ll Sort That is being underrated but really don’t think the form of that race is going to amount to much.
 
Brooksie said:
Yeah that does factor into it somewhat. But both Mullins horses were considerably shorter than I'll Sort that mainly because of the drubbing Sortudo gave I'll Sort That back in April. Lets say IST never ran in that bumper Sortudo won, you'd have found him considerably shorter in the market and possibly more people talking about him from an outside angle.
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Bumper form not something I personally take too literally but I take your point.
Just think his form in beating the flyingking might have been more in peoples thoughts had he been trained elsewhere? As he’s one that has been talked about a bit.
Anyway I thought it was quite good that today .
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
Bumper form not something I personally take too literally but I take your point.
Just think his form in beating the flyingking might have been more in peoples thoughts had he been trained elsewhere? As he’s one that has been talked about a bit.
Anyway I thought it was quite good that today .
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Completely agree, already looking forward to seeing I'll Sort That over fences. First two well clear of the rest, I'll be keeping them both on side.
 
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