• HELP US - Become a Patron - Fat Jockey is a horse racing community focused on all the big races in the UK and Ireland. We don't charge users but if you have found the site useful then any support towards the running costs is appreciated ... a small donation each month would be a huge contribution. Become a Patron!

2026 Novice Hurdlers

Willies horse’s definitely needing the run. Trouble is, if they’re going to the festival, they need to get to a grade 1 at DRF, and really win a maiden before February. Going to be tight
 
  • Like
Reactions: Exar Essay and opatcho
I'm sure Willie will turn up to the Festival with two hopefuls, but dont think it will be any of the obvious ones. Maybe we see a second string win a maidan and then Townend takes the ride next time out at the DRF

I kept my 'supreme/turners' shortlisted clear, well that until today, El Cairos was added straight away. Reminds me of previous years after watching the likes of Kopek and Impaire Et Passe winning their maiden race, just the way they travel into the race and end it with one move.

We'll have to see whether Le Divin Enfant is a danger, but I've backed Skylight Hussle to win - watched a clip of Gordon (think it was one Racing Post a few days ago), where he was much happier with Skylight after getting a run into him. Plus he's 5 years old, i'm not a fan of these shorter priced 4 year olds
 
opatcho said:
I'm sure Willie will turn up to the Festival with two hopefuls, but dont think it will be any of the obvious ones. Maybe we see a second string win a maidan and then Townend takes the ride next time out at the DRF

I kept my 'supreme/turners' shortlisted clear, well that until today, El Cairos was added straight away. Reminds me of previous years after watching the likes of Kopek and Impaire Et Passe winning their maiden race, just the way they travel into the race and end it with one move.

We'll have to see whether Le Divin Enfant is a danger, but I've backed Skylight Hussle to win - watched a clip of Gordon (think it was one Racing Post a few days ago), where he was much happier with Skylight after getting a run into him. Plus he's 5 years old, i'm not a fan of these shorter priced 4 year olds
Click to expand...
Although he has to tip a winner sometime I suppose, worth taking into account that Skylight Hustle has been put up by David Jennings on UTA for the Supreme……a bit of Xtra weight for Skylight to carry methinks 🥵
 
GE said on RTV today El Cairos is likely to run in a maiden then straight to the supreme
 
Brooksie said:
Just need Le Divin Enfant to get stuffed tomorrow now for my Sortudo supreme bet lol
Click to expand...
Sortudo still in the mix for me for every trip, certainly wouldn't write the Supreme off as an option.

Could lose in the Lawlors and suddenly he's back to being a 2 mile option for me.
 
I'm wondering with Willies being a bit in & out, moreso his novices at the moment, if it's worth getting Mister Pessimistic onside before tomorrow, 40/1 for an unbeaten DeBromhead horse seems very reasonable, form of the bumper boosted with Saint Clovis winning well at the November meeting, just feel at the prices he might be worth covering as a back to lay as tomorrows race looks warm,but open.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Yosser
After only watching the races on my phone today with work (same tomorrow urgh) and just now watching replays in full, it's clear as day Willies seasonal/stable debutants are just way off it in terms of fitness and I wouldn't completely write anything off that has been beaten upto now.

On the other hand, what El Cairos was doing was mad impressive, for all he looked a pony of a thing.

Mydaddypaddy bubble burst I'd say, although hurdles out definitely didn't help him I dont think (not including Harry burying him out the back like a hcap plot), but his pre race festival price was always fucking stupid.

Onto Le Divin Enfant tomorrow who was one of few that looked good on seasonal debut for Willie (Saint Baco being the other), wonder if he can hold the tag as their best 2miler as connections seem to think!
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho
darlojim said:
After only watching the races on my phone today with work (same tomorrow urgh) and just now watching replays in full, it's clear as day Willies seasonal/stable debutants are just way off it in terms of fitness and I wouldn't completely write anything off that has been beaten upto now.

On the other hand, what El Cairos was doing was mad impressive, for all he looked a pony of a thing.

Mydaddypaddy bubble burst I'd say, although hurdles out definitely didn't help him I dont think (not including Harry burying him out the back like a hcap plot), but his pre race festival price was always fucking stupid.

Onto Le Divin Enfant tomorrow who was one of few that looked good on seasonal debut for Willie (Saint Baco being the other), wonder if he can hold the tag as their best 2miler as connections seem to think!
Click to expand...
Agreed, Jim. Chanced Leader at 66s and DDM at 25s for the Supreme and Turners respectively after PP pushed them out no doubt to catch cash-outers.

I thought DDM’s jumping was poor early on, but he got the hang of it. Big as a barrel too.

Willie has a dilemma with these beaten ones now: it’s DRF or another maiden before the festival.

I think you’ve got to give Sortudo some credit too. His maiden seems to have the most substance and he won well.

I presume Doctor Steinberg is nailed on for the Lawlors, but I wonder if Willie will hold one of Saint Baco or Sortudo back for the Moscow Flyer. He’d not have much else for either race.
 
Saint Baco the Willie No 1 for me.

Think it'll be a Hendo year though with Old Park Star. He looked superb at Cheltenham. Very much like Appreciate It Supreme win.
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho
Exar Essay said:
I presume Doctor Steinberg is nailed on for the Lawlors, but I wonder if Willie will hold one of Saint Baco or Sortudo back for the Moscow Flyer. He’d not have much else for either race.
Click to expand...

If OK, I feel like Saint Baco would be made for a Moscow Flyer myself with Sortudo Lawlors way, 'may' know more with entries in a few days
 
darlojim said:
If OK, I feel like Saint Baco would be made for a Moscow Flyer myself with Sortudo Lawlors way, 'may' know more with entries in a few days
Click to expand...
Yep, Saint Baco Moscow
 
….Mullins re

Devin Enfant;
‘He was very impressive when winning at Thurles and we’ve decided to throw him in at the deep end here against the top notchers. He’s shown plenty at home and on the track. I’m hoping that he’s up to it.’

Love me Tender;
‘He missed his run in the Royal Bond but he’s a horse that just keeps improving. I’m very happy with him and though he’ll be galloping on ground slower than his form is on, I think he’ll be able to handle it alright. He’s a horse that will improve as the season goes on.’
 
El Cairos was bloody dynamite I thought!

Skinny enough now though given we know little about his well being!

Can probably ignore the runs of both Doctor & Leader for Willie as many are running stink!

Was always a doubter of Leader because of his sire though, but think they Doctor price at 20's is worth a stable, as I imagine he'll step up in trip now.

Maybe Fou De Toi could be the one after all!!

Waiting on the entry though!
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho
Willies needing a run more so than other seasons. Probably looks worse because Gords are so much more forward than previous seasons.
He could pay for it later on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho
One other thing, it's all well and good saying Willie's are running stink, like I did, but they've all now got to come out and get that win in a maiden before the festival. One fall and it could be all over. None of them will be running in the next two weeks and I doubt they'll be on the boat if they fail next time out.

Gordons on the other hand, he's on absolute fire. El Cairos, Ballyfad and Skylight Hustle, who runs tomorrow are all looking like serious prospects.

I'm not writing Willie off, not a chance I'm that stupid (some might think so :ROFLMAO:) but Gordon is currently holding all the aces in the 2 mile division for me in Ireland.

Le Divin Enfant vs Skylight Hustle vs Love Me Tender should be informative though. Personally hope LMT doesn't win as want him going to the Turners. LDE my best result by a fair way!

Saint Baco obviously 1 from 1 for Willie, will no doubt head to the Moscow Flyer, maybe Davy Crockett will make an appearance too!

I have this feeling that Sortudo is not finished over 2m yet though! A defeat in the Lawlors and he's back down in trip IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho and Killiney
You'll be ok with LDE tomorrow COD. He won't let you down.
I do think Saint Baco will prove right up there with Willies best as well. Was very impressed with him on debut. Took everyone by surprise.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ComplyOrDie and Craigy14
….Hills have pushed Le Divin Enfant to 28-1 TWAF (Sup), PP offer Love me Tender 40-1 WTAF (Sup/Turn).
 
I’ve added Skylight Hustle for Turners at 50/1 with Paddy Power. After El Cairo’s performance yesterday and the subsequent trainer quotes, he looks like being Gordon’s main Supreme dart. Skylight has looked best of Gordon’s others so far (with the two shorter trips in mind) and I think has every chance of being stepped up after today.
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho and IstabraqBarRegular
Interesting to see Alsakib going novice hurdling for Donald McCain at Wetherby today (13.00). Finished 6th in the Cadran and brings a flat rating of 108 to the races, not often you see such a highly rated flat horse going hurdling. Probably won't amount to much but worth watching the race to see how he gets on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom