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Ballymore Novice Hurdle 2019

He's 6/4. He is the most likely winner of the 3.:confused:
 
Had just read some reports TF was coughing but this suggests there has been a mix up
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Devils advocate here ... I wonder if there is something going around willie’s yard,
- taken a age to get runners out, we still haven’t seen some (ground has been blamed but other trainers are making it work)
- a fair amount of horses have run below par (again willie is known for leaving a lot to work on after the first run)
- rumours of a few horses coming back with coughs / nose bleeds after races (can’t always believe what you hear on social media)
 
thistlecracker said:
Devils advocate here ... I wonder if there is something going around willie’s yard,
- taken a age to get runners out, we still haven’t seen some (ground has been blamed but other trainers are making it work)
- a fair amount of horses have run below par (again willie is known for leaving a lot to work on after the first run)
- rumours of a few horses coming back with coughs / nose bleeds after races (can’t always believe what you hear on social media)
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I would likely think so. Plenty of below par runs from a lot of his horses, can't have that they all just are not good enough either.
 
His strike rate is lower than usual too. Nothing that screams yard closure, but something there i'd say.
 
thistlecracker said:
Devils advocate here ... I wonder if there is something going around willie’s yard,
- taken a age to get runners out, we still haven’t seen some (ground has been blamed but other trainers are making it work)
- a fair amount of horses have run below par (again willie is known for leaving a lot to work on after the first run)
- rumours of a few horses coming back with coughs / nose bleeds after races (can’t always believe what you hear on social media)
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Who had Jan 7th for the annual "Willie's Yard" whisperings sweepstake?
 
Towards the end of last month, I said that a few of Willie's had coughed or had a small amount of blood around after running poorly. Jack will know that this wasn't via Twitter. He'll also know that, in a stable of 170, it wasn't considered a particularly significant figure. A few ran noticeably badly, a few ran very well (Kemboy, Al Boum Photo, Sharjah etc) but many of those who were first time out ran a little below the hoped for level. This was put down to them not being as ready as thought. An admitted if unusual training error.

I'd say that the reason that his strike rate is below 20% in the last fortnight is more due to him having multiple runners in the big races. If you run 4 in a race you can only achieve 25%.
 
IF willie's horses are coughing what does this mean for the yard, are they likely to close the yard or whats the normal remedy for this situation?
 
That's how this rubbish grows. A few have coughed, for crissakes, and it's not considered unusual so there is no chance of the stable being closed.
 
archie said:
That's how this rubbish grows. A few have coughed, for crissakes, and it's not considered unusual so there is no chance of the stable being closed.
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Thanks archie, It was a selfish question just wondering should I cash out my bets or leave them running?
 
Sorry if it came across a bit aggressive but I wanted to be clear that there isn't an issue and both Willie and Patrick have said they just didn't work the horses hard enough.

These days things go out on Twitter in a wholly distorted form and, all of a sudden, the yard is riddled with a deadly virus. I'd say, think about a primary school of 170 pupils. At any one time a number will be ill and those with visible symptoms will be kept away from the others.

You'd want to know why an individual horse ran well below par but the others who were simply not at their best can probably be forgiven.
 
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Birchdale entered in the Leamington Novices Hurdle this weekend. Looks the absolutely perfect prep for him and was won by Willoughby Court en route to winning this race at Cheltenham.

I spent a good deal of time re watching races over Christmas and this fella has really jumped out to me. Very, very impressive debut and the form has had a few minor boosts since. He just powered away from them in the final 200 yards.

Still looks a very open division this year and think the current 25/1 could look huge by the weekend.
 
Can't Catch Me said:
Birchdale entered in the Leamington Novices Hurdle this weekend. Looks the absolutely perfect prep for him and was won by Willoughby Court en route to winning this race at Cheltenham.

I spent a good deal of time re watching races over Christmas and this fella has really jumped out to me. Very, very impressive debut and the form has had a few minor boosts since. He just powered away from them in the final 200 yards.

Still looks a very open division this year and think the current 25/1 could look huge by the weekend.
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The Leamington Spa was won by Mr Whipped last season who went on to run in the Albert Bartlett. This is not a race that Henderson usually targets but as he’s got so many novices his hand might be forced.
 
Yes as per the AB thread, its certainly a worry Jackie. Bet365 looks the way forward again... 20/1 with them for both races.
 
Have got 25s for the Ballymore.. Slightly worried now as certainly wasn’t stopping back in Dec so would get 3m easily..
 
Can't Catch Me said:
Yes as per the AB thread, its certainly a worry Jackie. Bet365 looks the way forward again... 20/1 with them for both races.
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Our replies must have crossed as I just posted there. Birchdale will not get any of my money until the RSA market opens for 2020.
 
JackieMoon33 said:
Our replies must have crossed as I just posted there. Birchdale will not get any of my money until the RSA market opens for 2020.
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I'm trying to keep myself in that camp too.

Really trying.
 
Fair play Jackie. Admirable restraint :)

Ive decided to take the 20/1 with Bet365 on both races... seems a no brainer as can cash out whichever he doesnt go for.
 
Champ so short for this honestly think he will end up AB
 
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