Ballymore Novice Hurdle 2020

[Altior]

Samcro's Ballymore win was the race that popped into my head as I watched Envoi Allen hitting the front at the weekend.


Watching him put the distance between himself an Elixir D'ainay after the last starts off great and then he looks really slow in the last bit - but so do the ones behind him.


I've definitely seen more impressive looking winners after the last. Davy was animated enough too to stop me going absolutely bananas about him.


He's the best novice hurdler around at any distance I'd imagine this year, but I love a horse to power through the line and expected him to.

I hope he was dossing about, and as I said yesterday, because of his bumper 'battling' quality I don't doubt him in the fight, so he's hopefully better than Samcro.



This season, being just as good as Samcro was will be enough though

Good comparison between Samcro's Ballymore win actually. Samcro absolutely breezed by and then seemed to find very little after that, granted he did lose a shoe on the run in but you would have just expected him to take off...likewise with Envoi Allen yesterday. Impressive run but there's definitely beating in the horse, just maybe not in the next couple of months...

[Kevloaf]

My X figure sum I put on the Envoi tank @ 10/1 in early October. I’m licking my lips......����������������������

Did you spell his name wrong on purprose?

Your user name, not the tank bit.

[jonthehammer]

Envoi Allen now rated 152 while Fiddlerontheroof is 154.

Hmmmm

[jack1092]

Envoi Allen now rated 152 while Fiddlerontheroof is 154.

Hmmmm

Irish + English handicappers eh!

[jonthehammer]

Irish + English handicappers eh!

It’s incredible isn’t it. Fiddler has not really beaten that much in my eye.

[kinloch brae]

Very much a game of two halves in respect of Envoi Allen with many - out of self interest - turning a blind eye to the second half.

Last year he looked a Ballymore horse but this season he has looked a Supreme horse. That's the racecourse evidence but of course those who backed him for the Ballymore are in complete denial. Fortunately, for them the trainer appears to be in their camp.

He was a very comfortable winner of his two starts over the minimum trip. He ran through line and clearly wasn't pulling himself up. He didn't look vulnerable and there is every reason to believe he wouldl improve over a stiffer two miles.

In short on the basis of those two runs there was no reason at all to step him up in trip.

The trainer had suggested he would improve (even though he didn't need to as he was already the best two mile novice) for a longer trip. Was there any evidence of improvement on Sunday? I don't think so. It was simply a risk that didn't need taking.

The trainer came out with some baloney about the horse blowing afterwards. Does anyone believe he sent out a horse like this half baked?

At this stage both novice divisions don't look that strong but although he quite likely doubles his winning margin over Abacadabras in a Supreme the outcome of a Ballymore is far less certain.

[Cooldaddy]

I simply dont read the races as you describe. I believe that Abacadabras in the Supreme would be a huge danger to EA. Abacadabras jumping the last upside could well do it for toe. In the Supreme they would not give EA anytime and hassle him all the way. For me EA would be perfect for the Ballymore. He would have them all at it coming down the hill. His stride and travel speed would be too much for most of them. Wins 5l+

[AnFiieLD.]

Could have put this in the supreme thread as well.

Does anybody have or know where I can get a full list of novices currently unraced for Willie Mullins? Off work and want to do some digging.

[Lobos]

Added to Skybet Envoi Allen to win any race this year and to win 2021 Champion Hurdle if anyone's interested...50/1.

[Kevloaf]

Added to Skybet Envoi Allen to win any race this year and to win 2021 Champion Hurdle if anyone's interested...50/1.

Do those odds not reflect the very glaring chance he's going chasing?


I'm pretty confident they've said he's a chaser, and Elliott's experience with Samcro will stop them making this horrible mistake.



It will be a mistake too.... who the hell cares if he's good enough to be Epatante and Salider etc.

Get him in a Gold Cup or QMCC.

[Lobos]

Do those odds not reflect the very glaring chance he's going chasing?


I'm pretty confident they've said he's a chaser, and Elliott's experience with Samcro will stop them making this horrible mistake.



It will be a mistake too.... who the hell cares if he's good enough to be Epatante and Salider etc.

Get him in a Gold Cup or QMCC.

Chaser comments are early doors. Things have changed. If he wins Ballymore I think they'll be tempted to take on the big boys at Punchestown and if he wins that then there's only one way he's going. The owners will be more inclined to go the Churdle route as well imo. Not this year though !!

[AnFiieLD.]

Lord Royal impressive there at Clonmel

[jack1092]

He was, didn't realise Patrick said he'd be disappointed if he's not a graded horse.....

[Kevloaf]

Chaser comments are early doors. Things have changed. If he wins Ballymore I think they'll be tempted to take on the big boys at Punchestown and if he wins that then there's only one way he's going. The owners will be more inclined to go the Churdle route as well imo. Not this year though !!

Well if you believe he's staying hurdling the 50/1 is a big price.

25/1 if he's an even money shot.

If he stays hurdling you're in a great spot

[Kevloaf]

He was, didn't realise Patrick said he'd be disappointed if he's not a graded horse.....

Yeah I got put on to him this morning, Ruby gave him a decent mention too in the PP blog too.