2023 Novice Hurdlers

[The Giant Bolster]

Personally I interpreted the comments about Better Days Ahead going over hurdles as a big vote of confidence from the stable in King of Kingsfield for the bumper. As you say, they have a lot of new ammo this year but seem to be very happy to make King of Kingsfield their main dart. The price has become really short but Elliott obviously has a good record in this race, will know from them riding out at Cullentra how they compare and his picked King of Kingsfield.

 

[Lobos]

Agree TGB, sounds like KOK is his number 1at this point. I do think though that with his flat breeding and an emphasis on speed he could struggle in what looks like being really deep conditions at the weekend. If he gets beat and others perform better then things will change. Croke Park sounds like he's some way behind the rest so he could well stick to Bumpers this season if they prefer not to rush him over a hurdle. The next few days will be very informative indeed with regards Gordon's Bumper challenge next March.

 

[Lobos]

I must stop calling him KOK....it's most off-putting

 

[JackieMoon33]

He has a bucket load of them though this season, more than ever before. They'll not all go hurdling, some of them will probably be too weak or backward for that anyway. He adores the Cheltenham Bumper and will definitely keep one and more likely two for that race and they'll both go there with big chances. He'll not send duffers to the Bumper. It's one of his Golden Pentagon races after all.

Of course he’ll throw darts at it but he’s not going to waste time with horses that patently aren’t champion bumper types. Some will stay in bumpers and be campaigned quietly whilst the others will go hurdling.

 

[Lobos]

For those American Mike Ballymore fans out there, just remember Faugheen started out over 2m 6f and then went out to 3 miles on Heavy ground before coming back in trip to smash them to pieces in the Ballymore.

He was an absolute freak though !

 

[Lobos]

Of course he’ll throw darts at it but he’s not going to waste time with horses that patently aren’t champion bumper types. Some will stay in bumpers and be campaigned quietly whilst the others will go hurdling.

Clearly not that quietly Jackie if King of Kingsfields price is anything to go by .......maybe Gordon has grabbed 66's again !

 

[Altior]

Wasn't it Cool Survivor that was nicely backed before debut last year, albeit nowhere near this short, before flopping against The Big Doyen? Same silks and all. Huge gamble literally and figuratively. At the price I'd let KOK be another Enovi, Gerhard, Facile Vega and be happy to watch him win handy in March. Price is as bad an antepost I've ever seen. Also everyone is so trigger happy now. Willie has always a few aces well tucked up his sleeve and there's always chances for some other trainer to spring a good one on. Even if KOK is a good thing his price could easily drift out again as the season progresses.

 

[JackieMoon33]

Clearly not that quietly Jackie if King of Kingsfields price is anything to go by .......maybe Gordon has grabbed 66's again !

As I said, King Of Kingsfield is the one they seem to be pinning their hopes to. The ones that will be campaigned quietly are those big staying chasers.

The price move has been sustained for a week now and it’s another dreadful ante post price to add to the list. Lots of nice tickets in here though!

 

[Many Clouds]

He has a bucket load of them though this season, more than ever before. They'll not all go hurdling, some of them will probably be too weak or backward for that anyway. He adores the Cheltenham Bumper and will definitely keep one and more likely two for that race and they'll both go there with big chances. He'll not send duffers to the Bumper. It's one of his Golden Pentagon races after all.

Is the golden pentagon not NHC, XC, Triumph, Pertempts and Kim Muir? Thats why iv been thinking all along anyway maybe I'm wrong.

 

[BarrowNH01]

Anyone heard any news regarding likely starting point for
Ittack Blue
Jet Powered
An Tobar
These three are probably the ones im looking forward to seeing how their p2p form progresses into novice hurdling the most. TIA

 

[Eggs]

Anyone heard any news regarding likely starting point for
Ittack Blue
Jet Powered
An Tobar
These three are probably the ones im looking forward to seeing how their p2p form progresses into novice hurdling the most. TIA

….best looking in the Stable Tour thread, I think HdB said An Tobar would run ‘in a couple of weeks’ so I’d expect an entry soon.

 

[BarrowNH01]

….best looking in the Stable Tour thread, I think HdB said An Tobar would run ‘in a couple of weeks’.

Just seen that, hopefully hes as good as he looked in his p2p. The lack of news for Ittack Blue is worrying me a little bit mind

 

[ComplyOrDie]

For those American Mike Ballymore fans out there, just remember Faugheen started out over 2m 6f and then went out to 3 miles on Heavy ground before coming back in trip to smash them to pieces in the Ballymore.

He was an absolute freak though !

Yeah, American Mike is definitely not in the same category as Faugheen, at least not for me.

Just to note, I think it's twice now that Gordon has said they plan to avoid Facile Vega, and the only race Facile Vega is likely not going to turn up in is the Bartlett, so he could just be planning this route for American Mike, regardless. By the sounds of it he is sending a load of newcomers from the p2p sphere, over hurdles this season, a lot more that are bred for an intermediate trip, unlike Mike.

 

[Exar Essay]

Yeah, American Mike is definitely not in the same category as Faugheen, at least not for me.

Just to note, I think it's twice now that Gordon has said they plan to avoid Facile Vega, and the only race Facile Vega is likely not going to turn up in is the Bartlett, so he could just be planning this route for American Mike, regardless. By the sounds of it he is sending a load of newcomers from the p2p sphere, over hurdles this season, a lot more that are bred for an intermediate trip, unlike Mike.

I think this is absolutely it. The stable tour reads as though he's as tired as we are of Willie's non-decision on horses which we know will run and run. So why not take FV out of the equation entirely and aim/train AM for the Bartlett? He knows he's unlikely to beat FV unless FV can't jump (unlikely). Makes immense sense to me and is good race planning. That latest stable tour really has changed my mind and I think the Bartlett is most likely now.

 

[Lobos]

Is the golden pentagon not NHC, XC, Triumph, Pertempts and Kim Muir? Thats why iv been thinking all along anyway maybe I'm wrong.

It is ! Soz. Perhaps we'll make it the Golden Hexagon after this season.

 

[Lobos]

Gordon does appear to be scared to death of Facile Vega doesn't he !
He must be some beast ! 4/1 for the Ballymore on him might just look the bet of the century come March. Better top up I think........

 

[archie]

I think this is absolutely it. The stable tour reads as though he's as tired as we are of Willie's non-decision on horses which we know will run and run. .

Are we? Any trainer who has already made his mind up with novices for next March will be getting it wrong more often than right.

 

[Exar Essay]

Are we? Any trainer who has already made his mind up with novices for next March will be getting it wrong more often than right.

Poor turn of phrase. The stable tour suggests that Gordon wants to avoid Facile Vega and that he thinks a staying trip is his best chance of achieving this because Willie has earmarked the other two as potential destinations for FV. He knows his horse is bred to stay the longer trip too.

 

[darlojim]

Gala Marceau one of few interesting ones entered for the Prix Cambaceres. Mctigue and Nicholls' Blue King also in there

 

[Lbur4288]

Gala Marceau one of few interesting ones entered for the Prix Cambaceres. Mctigue and Nicholls' Blue King also in there

With how Mctigue performed in his two runs it'll be interesting to see how Gala Marceau compares. Looking forward to it. Looks like Mullins is sending a few over to this meet.