2025 Novice Hurdlers

[JackieMoon33]

Out a month earlier than Stellar Story was last season. Doesn't mean he won't go for the race though, he might want to see which of his novices fares best. I'm at work so can't get to my notes but I think that leaves 2 for Elliott and Gigginstown as potential AB runners. Willie also has potential Gigginstown AB types. Off the top of my head, I think Final Demand is one of them. You will know better than anyone Jackie about that one

Gigginstown will have a few possibles for the AB as that's always the type of horse they purchase. The Enabler could end up anywhere, including not being good enough. But this earlier than usual start does give them options now that the new rules are in place.

Final Demand is not owned by Gigginstown, it's Bryan Drew and The Professor. He hasn't run in bumpers yet so could still go that route, although it would be a waste. He's my current dark one for the AB if he does go hurdling.

 

[Lobos]

Hi Lads. I like Kopek Des Bordes for the Gallagher Novices Hurdle. Is there a chance he may stick to bumpers this season?

After his Bumper win the owners said that he could be a Champion Hurdle horse in 2 years time (2026) so if that's the case then he'll be going over hurdles this season.

 

[Lobos]

Gigginstown will have a few possibles for the AB as that's always the type of horse they purchase. The Enabler could end up anywhere, including not being good enough. But this earlier than usual start does give them options now that the new rules are in place.

Final Demand is not owned by Gigginstown, it's Bryan Drew and The Professor. He hasn't run in bumpers yet so could still go that route, although it would be a waste. He's my current dark one for the AB if he does go hurdling.

The Enabler is 14/1 in the Hills 'Win Any Race' market.

You guys probably should be going that way if you fancy him as a Festival horse. Seems fair to me.

 

[Exar Essay]

Gigginstown will have a few possibles for the AB as that's always the type of horse they purchase. The Enabler could end up anywhere, including not being good enough. But this earlier than usual start does give them options now that the new rules are in place.

Final Demand is not owned by Gigginstown, it's Bryan Drew and The Professor. He hasn't run in bumpers yet so could still go that route, although it would be a waste. He's my current dark one for the AB if he does go hurdling.

Who else have you got listed? Realistically, I’m not including 5yo recruits.

I’ve got Patter Merchant and Masterboy Davies who I don’t think are good enough. Jalon D’oudaries is interesting but potentially has too much class for the race. I could see him being Gordon’s Lawlors horse but then going on to the Ballymore.

Blue De Vassy looks to have the potential to step up.

The Enabler looks to be THE candidate though.

 

[JackieMoon33]

The Enabler is 14/1 in the Hills 'Win Any Race' market.

You guys probably should be going that way if you fancy him as a Festival horse. Seems fair to me.

I'm only interested in him for the AB. If he ends up in a handicap then I'll worry about that once I know that for sure and what the conditions will be.

 

[JackieMoon33]

Who else have you got listed? Realistically, I’m not including 5yo recruits.

I’ve got Patter Merchant and Masterboy Davies who I don’t think are good enough. Jalon D’oudaries is interesting but potentially has too much class for the race. I could see him being Gordon’s Lawlors horse but then going on to the Ballymore.

Blue De Vassy looks to have the potential to step up.

The Enabler looks to be THE candidate though.

Kish Bank would be the other one.

But for me The Enabler would be the one I'd back over them all.

 

[Yosser]

Kish Bank would be the other one.

But for me The Enabler would be the one I'd back over them all.

That's the one Jackie. knew it began with K

 

[Yosser]

Just got back. Drop A Threat is the other one I was thinking of Jackie. My bartlett list of possibles reads in alphabetical order

Cantico
Drop A Threat
Final Demand
Koktail Divin
Joystick
Regents Stroll (backed 25/1)
Port Joulain (backed 25/1)
Sounds Victorious
Supersundae
The Enabler (backed 25/1)
The Yellow Clay
Will The Wise
Wingman
You Oughta Know (backed 50/1)

Watching brief for the unbacked ones. I might go in on Joystick early and see what drops out of the middle distance novice races as the season progresses.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

Regents Stroll (backed 25/1)

Not sure if it was Paul Nicholls or Harry Cobden who said he could be one for the Challow Hurdle. In recent years, with the exception of Captain Teague last season, Pauls Challow winners have ended up in the Ballymore. Not that any of them have gone to do well in them, to be fair.

That said, I see Teeshan is his only entry in the Persian War this coming weekend. He's another that could go Challow, I guess, though I had him down as one for the Supreme at a big price, should he be good enough.

 

[JackieMoon33]

Just got back. Drop A Threat is the other one I was thinking of Jackie. My bartlett list of possibles reads in alphabetical order

Cantico
Drop A Threat
Final Demand
Koktail Divin
Joystick
Regents Stroll (backed 25/1)
Port Joulain (backed 25/1)
Sounds Victorious
Supersundae
The Enabler (backed 25/1)
The Yellow Clay
Will The Wise
Wingman
You Oughta Know (backed 50/1)

Watching brief for the unbacked ones. I might go in on Joystick early and see what drops out of the middle distance novice races as the season progresses.

He's a staying chaser and as with Final Demand, he'd be going straight from points to AB and that can be a big ask. Although Drop A Threat is my #1 5yo pointer to follow, it's more long term than this season.

 

[JackieMoon33]

Not sure if it was Paul Nicholls or Harry Cobden who said he could be one for the Challow Hurdle. In recent years, with the exception of Captain Teague last season, Pauls Challow winners have ended up in the Ballymore. Not that any of them have gone to do well in them, to be fair.

That said, I see Teeshan is his only entry in the Persian War this coming weekend. He's another that could go Challow, I guess, though I had him down as one for the Supreme at a big price, should he be good enough.

I've said it many times that I have a feeling Regents Stroll will win the Challow before being outpaced in the Gallaghers :glee:

 

[ComplyOrDie]

I've said it many times that I have a feeling Regents Stroll will win the Challow before being outpaced in the Gallaghers :glee:

You'd have to say this is highly likely should he end up in the race, especially given the way he looked to be outpaced in the bumper on his final start of last season.

I've backed him at 33's, expecting the race to cut up a bit, in the hope he could land a place, and more to cover the potential field. He definitely won't be going off 33's should he run in and win the Challow.

 

[JackieMoon33]

You'd have to say this is highly likely should he end up in the race, especially given the way he looked to be outpaced in the bumper on his final start of last season.

I've backed him at 33's, expecting the race to cut up a bit, in the hope he could land a place, and more to cover the potential field. He definitely won't be going off 33's should he run in and win the Challow.

Yeah he'd be potential place material in the Gallaghers but I'd be way more keen on him for the AB.

 

[Yosser]

FWIW i have backed Regents Stroll for the Gallaghers at 40/1. That was one of the early plays back in the spring. He is still about 33/1. I think that is proper value. Paul Nicholls told Chris Giles that this horse is potentially the best one he has ever had and asked him if he was sure he wanted to sell. If PN thinks that, he is a must for both races IMO.

 

[JackieMoon33]

FWIW i have backed Regents Stroll for the Gallaghers at 40/1. That was one of the early plays back in the spring. He is still about 33/1. I think that is proper value. Paul Nicholls told Chris Giles that this horse is potentially the best one he has ever had and asked him if he was sure he wanted to sell. If PN thinks that, he is a must for both races IMO.

In my opinion you can transfer between the Gallaghers and Supreme but not the Gallaghers and the Albert Bartlett. So for me, he’d only ever be a ‘must’ for one of the races, not both.

 

[Yosser]

In my opinion you can transfer between the Gallaghers and Supreme but not the Gallaghers and the Albert Bartlett. So for me, he’d only ever be a ‘must’ for one of the races, not both.

I think it can go both ways. Trainers hold back stayers but will force them up in trip if they have to. Gidleigh Park would never run in the Supreme and was forced up due to Ballyburn. That's just a quick example but i bet there are many more. I don't see Regents Stroll ever going for a supreme but could see him lining up in the other two. It's all about opinions though and i take yours seriously Jackie, i don't agree on this one though :friendly_wink:

 

[JackieMoon33]

I think it can go both ways. Trainers hold back stayers but will force them up in trip if they have to. Gidleigh Park would never run in the Supreme and was forced up due to Ballyburn. That's just a quick example but i bet there are many more. I don't see Regents Stroll ever going for a supreme but could see him lining up in the other two. It's all about opinions though and i take yours seriously Jackie, i don't agree on this one though :friendly_wink:

But Gidleigh Park would never have had the legs to win a decent Gallaghers. He ended up in the race he should have been. A typical Gallaghers winner would be very competitive in the Supreme but wouldn’t be in the AB.

Look at the Gallagers winners in recent years. If there was no Gallaghers, which race would they have run in: The Supreme or the AB?

 

[Quevega]

But Gidleigh Park would never have had the legs to win a decent Gallaghers. He ended up in the race he should have been. A typical Gallaghers winner would be very competitive in the Supreme but wouldn’t be in the AB.

Look at the Gallagers winners in recent years. If there was no Gallaghers, which race would they have run in: The Supreme or the AB?

Yep, it's become more and more along these lines I reckon which in my book gives Regents Stroll next to no chance in the Gallaghers.
Although many placed horses in the Gallaghers might have been more competitive in the longer race.

Only winner I thought might have been more of a stayer was First Lieutenant and that was 14 years ago :highly_amused:
And he beat Rock on Ruby on decent ground !!

 

[JackieMoon33]

Yep, it's become more and more along these lines I reckon which in my book gives Regents Stroll next to no chance in the Gallaghers.
Although many placed horses in the Gallaghers might have been more competitive in the longer race.

Only winner I thought might have been more of a stayer was First Lieutenant and that was 14 years ago :highly_amused:
And he beat Rock on Ruby on decent ground !!

That is my point, the placed horses who didn't have the legs to win the Gallaghers, would likely have had a better chance in the AB. So if you have eyes for a horse genuinely winning the Gallaghers, the only other race he should be backed in is the Supreme.

 

[Yosser]

That is my point, the placed horses who didn't have the legs to win the Gallaghers, would likely have had a better chance in the AB. So if you have eyes for a horse genuinely winning the Gallaghers, the only other race he should be backed in is the Supreme.

That's what i was getting at Jackie apart for the Supreme part. He is never going to run in the supreme but could place in the Gallaghers or win if there is a faller etc at 40/1 (e/w BTW) but could also move up to the AB as another winning chance. Sorry, i did mean each way. At that price it's a no brainer. FWIW i think Jasmin, Jalon, Romeo (maybe) are all there to be shot at so then it comes down to how good are Kopek Des Bordes, Minella Premier, Kilgame, Koktail Divin and Jeroboam Machin if he comes this way. Regent's Stroll will likely prove the best novice hurdler in the UK and if PN thinks he is good enough to take his chance in the Gallaghers he will run him as he did with Hermes Allen (Whom i thought had no chance) Sorry Jackie i should have made that point, it is an EW bet