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2017 Stayers Hurdle

I had a nibble at Ballyoptic at 25's after his win in the Sefton Novices Hurdle. All by guaranteed target and vast improvement in a short space of time. Given how many of the horses at the head of the betting may go elsewhere... I'm happy with my position.
 
Yeh a good position to be in Leman. Probably does need that improvement, Patrick Mullins probably didn't get the best of of Bellshill and he can't be near the top of the WH protagonists for Mullins though, behind NC and Shaneshill for starters and thats just Wylie's? That'd put me off having a bet, but I wouldn't be unhappy to be on either, as this market is just odd.
 
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Kevloaf said:
Yeh a good position to be in Leman. Probably does need that improvement, Patrick Mullins probably didn't get the best of of Bellshill and he can't be near the top of the WH protagonists for Mullins though, behind NC and Shaneshill for starters and thats just Wylie's? That'd put me off having a bet, but I wouldn't be unhapy to be on either, as this market is just odd.
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It was only a "nibble" and given the way that the market will probably cut-up - 25's seemed good value. I also read somewhere that the Sefton was often a better guide than the Albert Bartlett (not sure why that would be the case), but barring injury - I should get a run for my money.
I won't read too much into any performance this weekend, as he may need the run - but I'll be more than happy if he bolts up :)
 
Yeah the Albert Bartlett has a pretty shocking record going into the World Hurdle. No horse that took part in the Albert Bartlett has ever won the WH. That includes 4 winners of the Albert Bartlett:

At Fishers Cross - 3rd
Berties Dream - 6th
Witchita Lineman - 9th
Black Jack Kethcum - Fell

So not a race you'd be going to when first eyeing out a potential winner! I guess the majority/top horses in that race often go over fences the following season?

Whilst I had a little look over the previous years Albert Bartlett renewals, I forgot how good the 2015 race seems looking back. It's never usually a race I take too much from but in 2015 you had:

No More Heroes
Black Hercules
Native River
Blacklion
Tea for Two
Definitly Red

And again all of those went over fences the following year.
 
Leman14 said:
It was only a "nibble" and given the way that the market will probably cut-up - 25's seemed good value. I also read somewhere that the Sefton was often a better guide than the Albert Bartlett (not sure why that would be the case), but barring injury - I should get a run for my money.
I won't read too much into any performance this weekend, as he may need the run - but I'll be more than happy if he bolts up :)
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Got to be happy with that win today Leman? :encouragement: Showed great attitude and kept finding more when needed.
Reports were like you thought that he would be really needing the run so great performance.

20's still after that run seems very fair indeed and is tempting me in.
 
Not watched it yet, still on the train back from football... he's beaten race fit horses. Granted, nothing special, but a win's a win!
 
25s all gone now, 16s at best Leman. Well done.
 
Rawnaq is running in the American Grand National on 15/10/16.... Will that be on ATR or RUK?
 
Would be some achievement by Ruby Walsh if he wins on Rawnaq later on today. Would mean he has won the following nationals:

- British
- Irish
- Scottish
- Welsh
- Australian
 
jono said:
Would be some achievement by Ruby Walsh if he wins on Rawnaq later on today. Would mean he has won the following nationals:

- British
- Irish
- Scottish
- Welsh
- Australian
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Rawnaq still 33s for world hurdle in a few places - well spotted on here and will not last imo.
 
Old Vic said:
Rawnaq still 33s for world hurdle in a few places - well spotted on here and will not last imo.
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I am going in AGAIN hahaha.
 
Cheltenham challenge

Rawnaq's victory in the Grade 1 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle in Nashville in May - when he had the Willie Mullins pair Shaneshill and Nichols Canyon (ridden by Walsh) behind - makes him eligible for a $500,000 bonus if he wins this season's World Hurdle, something firmly at the top of his camp's agenda.

"We'll start concentrating on that a little more now today has come and gone," added Murphy.

"Irv is pretty definite that's where we're going. We're realistic about what to expect when we get there, but we have a horse who deserves his shot."

Coral and William Hill make the son of Azamour a 33-1 for the stayers' championship.
 
Hargam all stayer on that run.
 
Leman14 said:
I had a nibble at Ballyoptic at 25's after his win in the Sefton Novices Hurdle. All by guaranteed target and vast improvement in a short space of time. Given how many of the horses at the head of the betting may go elsewhere... I'm happy with my position.
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I like him too. :D

Big thumbs up from NTF

3. Nigel Twiston-Davies may well have a serious World Hurdle contender in his yard…

…and that horses name is BALLYOPTIC.

He first really burst onto the scene when thumping a novice hurdle field at Uttoxeter by upwards of 10L in March then following that up by gunning down the dual Grade 1 winner Bellshill in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. Bellshill backed up that form next time out by landing his third G1 with a cosy victory at the Punchestown Festival.

On Saturday they stepped back in trip with Ballyoptic for the valuable Silver Trophy Handicap at Chepstow and he again showed his grit and determination in a finish to win by a going away 1.25L, with his class also shining through when it mattered. He’s now recorded RPR ratings of 149, 154 & 152 on his last three starts and Proform speed figures of 68, 78 & 78. On the ratings front he definitely heading the right way.

On the Dosage front, and the World Hurdle is a strong Dosage race, he’s bang there as well…

BALLYOPTIC – 2-0-8-4-0 (14) | 0.75 | 0.00

Those figures stick him comfortably in the Dosage ‘Green Zone’ for the race and I totally get why they are heading down such a route with him.

For me, however, it’s a bit of a shame they stick hurdling with him as I think he’s a ready-made chaser and could be even better over fences. He’s by Old Vic out of a Un Desperado mare so the breeding is definitely there for chasing and his point-to-point efforts showed he was more than capable of jumping fences (some tweaks needed maybe but that would come with age/experience) and there is every reason to believe he will make a serious impact when sent chasing.

For now, however, it looks like hurdling is the name of the game and although he still has a bit to go to match the Thistlecrack’s of this world he’s certainly heading the right way and the potential is definitely there.

Keep Bally on-side, he has the potential to rule the world (hurdle)

http://www.narrowing-the-field.co.uk/what-we-learned-from-the-weekend-8th-9th-of-october/
 
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