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2026 Novice Hurdlers

Lobos said:
You boys must be some big players!!
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Not really but the price was clearly a pricing error at 6/1. Best price was 7/2 elsewhere.

I actually expected them to void the bet but looks like they've let it stand
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
Not really but the price was clearly a pricing error at 6/1. Best price was 7/2 elsewhere.

I actually expected them to void the bet but looks like they've let it stand
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But if it's a small bet and their error then why would they close any accounts? As you said, they could quite easily void the bet if an error. I see no reason why anyone shouldn't have gone in.
Gaelic was 6/1 Ryanair with PP and that was cleaned up. No issues though even though it was a stonking price.
 
archie said:
The Honeysuckle at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting is a complication here. Worth about the same as thie MNH but a G1 so better black type. Just a feeling that the 2m4f might suit Oldschool Outlaw better than 2m1f and, although they might try both, they might not. Definitely a NRNB bet if you fancy her.
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Id imagine Gordon will be throwing the kitchen sink at the Irish National meeting this year, as hes kept a lead in the trainers title over there - that has never been as big before.

Pretty remarkable as he didnt seem to have much depth for the big money Grade 1 races at the start of the season, except the Stayers Hurdle type races.

Hes going to go full on for that huge pot Irish National isn't he?

Run as many as he can with chances

Not sure what impact that will have at the other spring meetings - but he'd probably want his good Mares NovH in that Grade 1, and Romeo in the 2M4F Grade 1 NovCH, and several for the Grade 1 Midtrip Chase.

Probably won't be able to hold Willie off taking the lead from him during that meeting and will be heavily up against it at Punchestown but its worth him targeting big pot races in Ireland, until its clear his title challenge has run its course.
 
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Saxon Warrior said:
Id imagine Gordon will be throwing the kitchen sink at the Irish National meeting this year, as hes kept a lead in the trainers title over there - that has never been as big before.

Pretty remarkable as he didnt seem to have much depth for the big money Grade 1 races at the start of the season, except the Stayers Hurdle type races.

Hes going to go full on for that huge pot Irish National isn't he?

Run as many as he can with chances

Not sure what impact that will have at the other spring meetings - but he'd probably want his good Mares NovH in that Grade 1, and Romeo in the 2M4F Grade 1 NovCH, and several for the Grade 1 Midtrip Chase.

Probably won't be able to hold Willie off taking the lead from him during that meeting and will be heavily up against it at Punchestown but its worth him targeting big pot races in Ireland, until its clear his title challenge has run its course.
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Was thinking exactly this. What impact may Elliott targeting the Irish title have on who and how many he sends to Cheltenham?
 
Runragged said:
Was thinking exactly this. What impact may Elliott targeting the Irish title have on who and how many he sends to Cheltenham?
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It might have an impact.
But I expect both those horses to travel for sure.
Personally not as focussed on his horses in the handicaps this year, partly due to the reasons above and also recent history.
 
How close are the meetings??
 
Jade de Grugy won the Fairyhouse race two weeks after Cheltenham in 2024
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
Yep, was going to say that myself.
Some horses take racing better than others, some need longer breaks between races.
I would imagine there’s more horses in training that would need more than 3 1/2 weeks between races myself.
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Also, with novices, the trainer probably knows them less well than horses who have been in the yard for a long time. My experience would be that you're still learning after a season and a half. Ground, LH or RH, flat track, undulations as well as interval between races.
 
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Could depend on how hard a season had already. Not just the big Festivals either. Plenty of prize money to be picked up in Ireland over the next couple of months. Potential novice handicappers could go to win grade 2 or 3 races. Leinster and Ulster Nationals are in March also.
 
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Moreso the NH game too, you have those little sprinters who can run up a sequence because they're far enough ahead of the rest to not have to go too hard to win a couple quickly, going over 2m+ at the racing olympics all but guarantees they'll not be much meat left on the bone for a bit.
They'll all be having a easy week or two afterwards, even the ones who were thrown in enough to not leave themselves exhausted, the travelling takes it out of them as well, they can't lay down when on the road so they're stood up from when they leave until they arrive at the course & get into their stable, 12+ hours stood in one spot...I'm just saying.
 
archie said:
Also, with novices, the trainer probably knows them less well than horses who have been in the yard for a long time. My experience would be that you're still learning after a season and a half. Ground, LH or RH, flat track, undulations as well as interval between races.
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Great point as well.
 
Runragged said:
Could depend on how hard a season had already. Not just the big Festivals either. Plenty of prize money to be picked up in Ireland over the next couple of months. Potential novice handicappers could go to win grade 2 or 3 races. Leinster and Ulster Nationals are in March also.
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Yep
Romeo Coolio an example of a horse that’s now won three big races, but how will he be in himself come March?
I hope he’s fine for my bets but it’s concern for me.
 
The Reverend....

“He’s fine, he just seemed to clip heels with one of the other horses,” said Graham.

“When I first watched it I thought he’d been intimidated by the winner as he just moved out to make a challenge, The Reverend’s then just jinked sideways and Harry’s gone out the side door.

“Thankfully Harry is fine and the horse is fine, there’s not a bother on him. No cuts or bruises or anything.

“You have to wonder where he’d have finished, he was right on the tail of the winner at the time though admittedly the winner was travelling better.

“He might have finished fourth or fifth, he’ll improve for it and, again, he’s another horse with limited options so I think he’ll probably go to the Supreme.”
 
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