2017 Stayers Hurdle

[Faugheen_Machine]

It'll be on ATR

[paz247]

Is Ruby Walsh riding Rawnaq in the American Grand National?

[mayo]

Is Ruby Walsh riding Rawnaq in the American Grand National?

Looks like it https://www.timeform.com/horse-racin...-15/0300/307/1

Probably looking to add to his G1 and National collection.

[jono]

Would be some achievement by Ruby Walsh if he wins on Rawnaq later on today. Would mean he has won the following nationals:

- British
- Irish
- Scottish
- Welsh
- Australian

[Old Vic]

Would be some achievement by Ruby Walsh if he wins on Rawnaq later on today. Would mean he has won the following nationals:

- British
- Irish
- Scottish
- Welsh
- Australian

[Old Vic]

Rawnaq still 33s for world hurdle in a few places - well spotted on here and will not last imo.

[Kevloaf]

Rawnaq still 33s for world hurdle in a few places - well spotted on here and will not last imo.

I am going in AGAIN hahaha.

[Kevloaf]

Cheltenham challenge

Rawnaq's victory in the Grade 1 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle in Nashville in May - when he had the Willie Mullins pair Shaneshill and Nichols Canyon (ridden by Walsh) behind - makes him eligible for a $500,000 bonus if he wins this season's World Hurdle, something firmly at the top of his camp's agenda.

"We'll start concentrating on that a little more now today has come and gone," added Murphy.

"Irv is pretty definite that's where we're going. We're realistic about what to expect when we get there, but we have a horse who deserves his shot."

Coral and William Hill make the son of Azamour a 33-1 for the stayers' championship.

[mayo]

Hargam all stayer on that run.

[Sefton]

I had a nibble at Ballyoptic at 25's after his win in the Sefton Novices Hurdle. All by guaranteed target and vast improvement in a short space of time. Given how many of the horses at the head of the betting may go elsewhere... I'm happy with my position.

I like him too.

Big thumbs up from NTF

3. Nigel Twiston-Davies may well have a serious World Hurdle contender in his yard…

…and that horses name is BALLYOPTIC.

He first really burst onto the scene when thumping a novice hurdle field at Uttoxeter by upwards of 10L in March then following that up by gunning down the dual Grade 1 winner Bellshill in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. Bellshill backed up that form next time out by landing his third G1 with a cosy victory at the Punchestown Festival.

On Saturday they stepped back in trip with Ballyoptic for the valuable Silver Trophy Handicap at Chepstow and he again showed his grit and determination in a finish to win by a going away 1.25L, with his class also shining through when it mattered. He’s now recorded RPR ratings of 149, 154 & 152 on his last three starts and Proform speed figures of 68, 78 & 78. On the ratings front he definitely heading the right way.

On the Dosage front, and the World Hurdle is a strong Dosage race, he’s bang there as well…

BALLYOPTIC – 2-0-8-4-0 (14) | 0.75 | 0.00

Those figures stick him comfortably in the Dosage ‘Green Zone’ for the race and I totally get why they are heading down such a route with him.

For me, however, it’s a bit of a shame they stick hurdling with him as I think he’s a ready-made chaser and could be even better over fences. He’s by Old Vic out of a Un Desperado mare so the breeding is definitely there for chasing and his point-to-point efforts showed he was more than capable of jumping fences (some tweaks needed maybe but that would come with age/experience) and there is every reason to believe he will make a serious impact when sent chasing.

For now, however, it looks like hurdling is the name of the game and although he still has a bit to go to match the Thistlecrack’s of this world he’s certainly heading the right way and the potential is definitely there.

Keep Bally on-side, he has the potential to rule the world (hurdle)

http://www.narrowing-the-field.co.uk/what-we-learned-from-the-weekend-8th-9th-of-october/

[Kevloaf]

Hargam all stayer on that run.

Be better staying in his horse box as far as the World Hurdle is concerned though...

"We tried him in all the Grade Ones last year and he's not in that league, so it's nice to find a race like this where he can at least get his head in front. He's got a prize, which is great."

[Morning Glory]

Be better staying in his horse box as far as the World Hurdle is concerned though...

"We tried him in all the Grade Ones last year and he's not in that league, so it's nice to find a race like this where he can at least get his head in front. He's got a prize, which is great."

I had come round to the view that this horse was a bit of a rogue and havent let it go yet - it took some guile and strength from Geraghty to get him home in front. They might be as well off to keep him for those races that Identity Thief and Top Notch were running in last year.

[cwright23]

JP also has a littl horse called if in doubt �� Surely his 3rd in the pertemps doesn't leave him miles behind all bar faugheen

[Kevloaf]

JP also has a littl horse called if in doubt �� Surely his 3rd in the pertemps doesn't leave him miles behind all bar faugheen

3rd in the Pertemps ... pfft. Despite that day being incredible for me I still feel robbed lol

[Kevloaf]

I had come round to the view that this horse was a bit of a rogue and havent let it go yet - it took some guile and strength from Geraghty to get him home in front. They might be as well off to keep him for those races that Identity Thief and Top Notch were running in last year.

Wasn't Geraghty's first pick though and can't see who would get this horse into contention for this race. Might pick up a few pots but I'll be against its form lines