2026 Novice Hurdlers

[Quevega]

Some good points made on El Cairos.
His price I think we all agree is mental really.
He was not the best bumper horse last year and has yet to finish a race.
Visually he looked like he was going to hose up but we'll never know.
That camera angle can be deceiving, it's similar to the home bend view we get at the festival
I have him backed though so don't have the dilemma some do, cos he looked great and they are clearly wanking over him in the yard (not sure that helps him )

 

[Quevega]

Part of me thinks they have as much of a clue on ability as we do

Yeah the schooling bumper worked out really well, this year and last.

 

[Lobos]

Don't you think it's odd how obsessed everyone is trying to find the Supreme, Turners , Albert runners for Willie? Waste so much time on it that we are most likely missing out on mopping up value elsewhere.

 

[Lobos]

I Can't possibly back El Cairos until he's ran again and shown no side effects to what looked a horrible fall. Whilst he might be ok physically, he needs to show it hasn't affected him mentally.
Shishkin fell on debut but then had three quick runs before winning the Supreme. EC won't have that luxury.

 

[Exar Essay]

Townend of Saint Baco.

However, I think it’s the case that Townend has never picked the right one in this race since becoming stable jockey …

 

[Parachute Paddy]

Have been tempted to play Sortudo, will be interested to see how he goes on Sunday. The only niggling issue I have is that I fancied Jalon D’Oudairies last week but he looks like a stayer and no wonder Sortudo skipped away from him at Cork, most probably would.

 

[Luke95]

Townend of Saint Baco.

However, I think it’s the case that Townend has never picked the right one in this race since becoming stable jockey …

Since it became a Grade 1 in 2015 Walsh/Townend have had a choice between Mullins’ runners 7 times I think. The one they picked did best of the Mullins horses once (Next Destination in 2018 who won at 8/15).

 

[Benjy23]

Sortudo getting the Patrick treatment. 4/1 seems very backable aside from that...

 

[riccirich]

Sortudo getting the Patrick treatment. 4/1 seems very backable aside from that...

Far too much importance gets placed on who the jockeys prefer. It's a useful enough guide if we're talking about unraced horses, but even then they dont know what's under the bonnet until a horse is really asked on the track.

In cases like this one, we've seen both sortudo and saint baco on the track. If people were more impressed by sortudo, then they should be taking the 4/1, regardless of what Paul thinks. As he won't be picking based on what they are like doing a piece of light work on the gallops, he'll be basing it off they're form on the track like everyone else.

 

[Benjy23]

Far too much importance gets placed on who the jockeys prefer. It's a useful enough guide if we're talking about unraced horses, but even then they dont know what's under the bonnet until a horse is really asked on the track.

In cases like this one, we've seen both sortudo and saint baco on the track. If people were more impressed by sortudo, then they should be taking the 4/1, regardless of what Paul thinks. As he won't be picking based on what they are like doing a piece of light work on the gallops, he'll be basing it off they're form on the track like everyone else.

I'm not too fussed on who they prefer as such. But Townsend to Patrick is like having a 7lb penalty.

It's not about their opinion. It's about mine.

 

[Big Zeb]

Interesting to read that no horse that has won the Lawlors Hurdle at Nass has gone on to win the Turner Novices Hurdle.

 

[Exar Essay]

Interesting to read that no horse that has won the Lawlors Hurdle at Nass has gone on to win the Turner Novices Hurdle.

Bob Olinger? Envoi Allen?

 

[Quevega]

Interesting to read that no horse that has won the Lawlors Hurdle at Nass has gone on to win the Turner Novices Hurdle.

Interesting in respect that it's not true

 

[Yosser]

Interesting to read that no horse that has won the Lawlors Hurdle at Nass has gone on to win the Turner Novices Hurdle.

Saint Baco to the Supreme then

Why did i get involved in these two horses

 

[Benjy23]

Interesting to read that no horse that has won the Lawlors Hurdle at Nass has gone on to win the Turner Novices Hurdle.

Since it's had that name maybe?

Bob O and Envoi two relatively recent examples that have won both those actual races though, no?

 

[Quevega]

I know truth is not what it was to most people these days but lets steady on.

Interesting to read that no horse that has won the Lawlors Hurdle at Nass has gone on to win the Turner Novices Hurdle.

Hold on apologies here.
It was ran at Punchestown when he won ??

Cancel that.
Was at Naas after all.
apology rescinded

 

[Quevega]

Saint Baco to the Supreme then

Why did i get involved in these two horses

Why did you read that and accept it as truth ?
First thought I had was that it did not sound right.
So i checked it, and although I did a bad job at it, I got there in the end.

 

[riccirich]

I'm not too fussed on who they prefer as such. But Townsend to Patrick is like having a 7lb penalty.

It's not about their opinion. It's about mine.

And that's the thing. A lot of the time when people say "Paul chose right", it's a case of him beating the second or third string by a small margin. And If you switched Paul with Patrick or Brian Hayes or someone like that, there's a fair chance Paul would have got the second placed horse up to win. So he may not have chosen right, as he may have won on either horse.

So if people like sortudo more, they really just need to decide exactly how much Patrick would cost him in their own opinion. Races like the grand national, it's not so big of a hindrance. Small field tactical hurdle races, it could be.

 

[Quevega]

Rule the World
Mikael Dihaguenet

it's a good trial for the turners and many placed horses also.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

Hopefully Classical Creek can win on Sunday anyway, provided it's even on!