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2026 Novice Hurdlers

I'm not, albeit have Mighty Park covered for the Supreme also, but I think OPS will still beat him.

I'm not having maiden form over what OPS has achieved to date.
I think it's wise to have MP covered, in case he goes that way.

Faugheen 2.0!
 
So let’s all be honest it’s just hype isn’t it?

And as Q says, the yard haven’t had a great year, to date, for novice hurdlers, is this just a last throw of the dice by JP? Or by WPM, I mean WPM wanted to go for the bumper so hurdling is 100% an afterthought.
 
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When nicky has a good one and willie has a good one

Nickys usually wins

OPS looks straight out of the altior, shiskin, con hill mold to me

Id never back a horse with mighty parks profile myself. Its betting purely on hype. And this close to the festival i want form in the book not hype.
 
What price do we see OPS going off at? Does it go off around 2/1 or do you see a drift on the day.
 
What price do we see OPS going off at? Does it go off around 2/1 or do you see a drift on the day.
Paddy's have pushed to 9/4 NRNB today.
That gives you a clue.
If the world comes back to normal and mighty park goes turners and Talk here, then I'd say around 5-2/9/4 ish.

Bigger if both Mighty and talk get declared for here.
 
I can't wait to watch it. My bets would v much prefer MP to run in the Turners, but if he goes in the Supreme, he'll be a fascinating addition.
 
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I can't wait to watch it. My bets would v much prefer MP to run in the Turners, but if he goes in the Supreme, he'll be a fascinating addition.
Agreed. If he goes and wins the supreme on his 2nd start beating Old Park Star, we would definitely have witnessed something special. Exciting!
 
Still think the Formby form is being underestimated , double figures for paddy and Idaho, topped up on both.
They way I view Mydaddypaddy, first hard race and he lost. Idaho Sun best form come from beaten Mydaddypaddy. Easy line through both for me. 🤷
 
Agree. Only reason anyone has backed him is hype. Can't argue that at all.
 
Still think the Formby form is being underestimated , double figures for paddy and Idaho, topped up on both.
9 of the last 10 previous winners have been rated 147+, with the exception being that nutjob Labaik. Idaho Sun rated 142, would need a serious amount of improvement without the others improving.
 
Agree. Only reason anyone has backed him is hype. Can't argue that at all.
RPR means nothing but at the same time means something. Only two horses who have won the Supreme or Turners in the last 15 years have produced a higher RPR on hurdles debut Constitution Hill (150) & Envoi Allen (149).
 
RPR means nothing but at the same time means something. Only two horses who have won the Supreme or Turners in the last 15 years have produced a higher RPR on hurdles debut Constitution Hill (150) & Envoi Allen (149).
Been said before - by me.

But they adjust these after cheltenham so there's no way of knowing for sure if any others failed, and were subsequently downgraded. Unless somebody has kept accurate records.
We might not get to test it out as Mighty park could easily be very good, but let's say he flops next week, it'll be interesting what they do with that RPR he got for debut.

They also upgrade some that win at the festival also.

Not got an issue when it's based on collateral form but quite often with RPR's it's not, it's just re grading them once you know more about them, good or bad. Which IMO is only done to enhance their own credibility for their followers.

If they really wanted to be transparent about re grading races then they should publish it.
Maybe the revised rating is added but with the original rating given in brackets.
 
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