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2026 Stayers Hurdle

Didn't Willie say they'll try different tactics on Ballyburn next time? Can see him leading from the off. His stamina is very suspect though.
 
Craigy14 said:
Ballyburn and Mystical Power for WPM he ain’t getting close to winning this race then.

Are the handicap chasing with mystical power? Or do others think he’s just hopeless? He’s done absolutely hee haw over 2m or 3m in the last season and a half.
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I've not given up on the pair of them yet.

I never had Mystical Power down as a 3miler, albeit I did back him for the Stayers because Willie said that he'd be trained as a Stayers Hurdle horse this campaign. His best run would have been in the Hattons Grace, but unfortunately he got brought down, however, it was enough for me to believe he is an intermediate trip horse, so I'm going to say Coral Cup, or wait for Aintree.

I still think Ballyburn is a 3 miler though, he was a staying on 'nose' behind the current Stayers Hurdle favourite in the Hattons Grace, yet the next day they rode him way too prominently IMO, over a longer trip!

If they come late over 3m I think he'd see it out well, as it looked like he might do in the Hattons Grace, but being up with the pace, which they chose to do over Christmas was silly. The leader, albeit went plenty quicker than Ballyburn from the off, finished tailed off, some 48 lengths behind Teahupoo, at least Ballyburn stuck at it, albeit still ending 14 lengths off the winner, but finishing 3rd.
 
Lobos said:
Didn't Willie say they'll try different tactics on Ballyburn next time? Can see him leading from the off. His stamina is very suspect though.
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Leading from the off in the Champion Hurdle seems more likely
 
Liammet said:
I have given up on Ballyburn

He looks like he has dropped a pound coin and is running around the course looking for it
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😂

He has always done that though. Even when winning the Turners (or whatever it was called back then).
 
Benjy23 said:
😂

He has always done that though. Even when winning the Turners (or whatever it was called back then).
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Probably pissed off though that he's still not found it.
 
ComplyOrDie said:
I've not given up on the pair of them yet.

I never had Mystical Power down as a 3miler, albeit I did back him for the Stayers because Willie said that he'd be trained as a Stayers Hurdle horse this campaign. His best run would have been in the Hattons Grace, but unfortunately he got brought down, however, it was enough for me to believe he is an intermediate trip horse, so I'm going to say Coral Cup, or wait for Aintree.

I still think Ballyburn is a 3 miler though, he was a staying on 'nose' behind the current Stayers Hurdle favourite in the Hattons Grace, yet the next day they rode him way too prominently IMO, over a longer trip!

If they come late over 3m I think he'd see it out well, as it looked like he might do in the Hattons Grace, but being up with the pace, which they chose to do over Christmas was silly. The leader, albeit went plenty quicker than Ballyburn from the off, finished tailed off, some 48 lengths behind Teahupoo, at least Ballyburn stuck at it, albeit still ending 14 lengths off the winner, but finishing 3rd.
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Re Mystical Power, I think they must be up to something since march imo. Problem is he’s only dropped to a mark of 150 Irish although when running in the fighting fifth last year uk capper had him 154, so there may be a situation where he drops couple lbs by uk capper as opposed to an increase with Irish tax.

That’s provided they’re running a similar race next time at the DRF. Could easily see him in the coral cup off high 140’s?
 
ComplyOrDie said:
I've not given up on the pair of them yet.

I never had Mystical Power down as a 3miler, albeit I did back him for the Stayers because Willie said that he'd be trained as a Stayers Hurdle horse this campaign. His best run would have been in the Hattons Grace, but unfortunately he got brought down, however, it was enough for me to believe he is an intermediate trip horse, so I'm going to say Coral Cup, or wait for Aintree.

I still think Ballyburn is a 3 miler though, he was a staying on 'nose' behind the current Stayers Hurdle favourite in the Hattons Grace, yet the next day they rode him way too prominently IMO, over a longer trip!

If they come late over 3m I think he'd see it out well, as it looked like he might do in the Hattons Grace, but being up with the pace, which they chose to do over Christmas was silly. The leader, albeit went plenty quicker than Ballyburn from the off, finished tailed off, some 48 lengths behind Teahupoo, at least Ballyburn stuck at it, albeit still ending 14 lengths off the winner, but finishing 3rd.
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Mystical Power is just simply not graded level. That novice hurdle season was dreadful looking back. Him, Slade Steel and Firefox largely disappointed, all rated around the 150 level. I wouldn't back Mystical Power if he got in a coral cup off 140
 
Gone in on my Frenchie

Theleme @ 33s

Due to reappear in the Cleeve on trials day then onto the festival

Big ask after 2 year off through injury, but it's not like he's a 4/1 shot as he was 2 seasons ago, 33s is very fair if he retains the ability and is reportedly training very well
 
darlojim said:
Gone in on my Frenchie

Theleme @ 33s

Due to reappear in the Cleeve on trials day then onto the festival

Big ask after 2 year off through injury, but it's not like he's a 4/1 shot as he was 2 seasons ago, 33s is very fair if he retains the ability and is reportedly training very well
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Needs to win at that price to get back what he owes you ! 😂
 
Lobos said:
Needs to win at that price to get back what he owes you ! 😂
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Ahhh he'd be fairly in the green for me that lad, won his last 6 out of 7 races!

I'd say I cashed him for profit too being on bigger prices previous festival
 
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Cleeve could be a very small field. Can only think of Strong Leader aiming for it. Henderson said he didn't want to drop back in trip with Impose Toi. Any others likely to run that we can think of ? Honest Policy?
 
Wodhooh would piss up in the Cleeve...... absolutely perfect race for her. Gordon loves sending her over the water as well.
 
Lobos said:
Cleeve could be a very small field. Can only think of Strong Leader aiming for it. Henderson said he didn't want to drop back in trip with Impose Toi. Any others likely to run that we can think of ? Honest Policy?
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Did they say HP was going straight there?

Have that in my head, but someone else probably could confirm
 
darlojim said:
Did they say HP was going straight there?

Have that in my head, but someone else probably could confirm
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Maybe.

Just seen that Wodhooh going straight to Mares Hurdle as well.
 
Know who's fault it is now. Here's Nicky after Impose Toi last win....

.....Because of that I think we’d want one more run before March and give him January off. The Cleeve would be coming back to two and a half miles so I don’t know about that.”
 
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