2022 Ballymore Novices Hurdle

[Morley Street]

Latest Nicholls comment was that Ballymore hasn’t been completely ruled out, but Aintree is major target.

I guess he is waiting to see what turns up.

The Ballymore is absolutely the plan:

Nicholls said: "He's in good shape and we thought we'd start his spring campaign here. I wouldn't want the ground to get desperate but as long as it stays something like it is we're looking forward to running him. It's not a great weather forecast and if it turns to heavy he'll go straight to Cheltenham“

[Leman14]

The Ballymore is absolutely the plan:

Nicholls said: "He's in good shape and we thought we'd start his spring campaign here. I wouldn't want the ground to get desperate but as long as it stays something like it is we're looking forward to running him. It's not a great weather forecast and if it turns to heavy he'll go straight to Cheltenham“

Was that today?

He seems to contradict himself each time he speaks about Stage Star…

[Morley Street]

Was that today?

He seems to contradict himself each time he speaks about Stage Star…

Racing post preview:

https://www.racingpost.com/news/previews/nicholls-bullish-as-stage-star-bids-to-follow-festival-greats-in-ballymore-prep/537659

[Leman14]

Racing post preview:

https://www.racingpost.com/news/prev...re-prep/537659

Thanks.

Really hope he does turn up here, as it looks wide open

[Morley Street]

Thanks.

Really hope he does turn up here, as it looks wide open

Yeah agree, I like him a lot

[Ray]

I like stage star, but i struggle to understand how after last year and the irish dominance that people are backing english horses in grade 1s at the festival..i think last year a lot of pundits were saying they got a huge rebuilding job that could possibly be 2-3 seasons to start competing again and id be inclined to thinn its more of the same this year..nicholls record in grade 1 novice hurdles at the festival isnt all that either? I know its shaping up to be an average renewal but id still say he couldnt win one of them

[Morley Street]

I like stage star, but i struggle to understand how after last year and the irish dominance that people are backing english horses in grade 1s at the festival..i think last year a lot of pundits were saying they got a huge rebuilding job that could possibly be 2-3 seasons to start competing again and id be inclined to thinn its more of the same this year..nicholls record in grade 1 novice hurdles at the festival isnt all that either? I know its shaping up to be an average renewal but id still say he couldnt win one of them

Fair point Ray but we all know individual horses improve at different rates, so I’d be wary of discounting one just on the basis that it’s not Irish trained. Stage Star compares very favourably to BMG this time last year, both in terms of performances and times… and whilst BMG found two too good, there might not be a Bob or GDM to finish ahead this time around. Nicholls has has history in this race and maybe it’s about time his luck changed? I’m on each way at a decent price and am hopeful he’ll be in the shake up at the least.

[Ballyfitz]

Paul Nicholls tweets Stage Star NR today and straight to the Ballymore

[Kevloaf]

Paul Nicholls tweets Stage Star NR today and straight to the Ballymore

I wonder if that's down to stable form?

Good to have clarity though on the target.

[fatherjohn]

ballymore is becoming as interesting for me as supreme but from totally different angle. supreme you have a clear front 4 on form and likely one at most goes ballymore. but which? ballymore has a lot of potentially good horses we have very little idea about that makes for an intruiging build up. stage star, walking on air, possibly cocooner.

I dont buy ginto or jwm at this distance and against horses with higher crusing speed.

[AnFiieLD.]

For me this is one of the easiest races of the week to play. Whoever comes here out of Sir Gerhard and Dysart Dynamo is streets ahead of the opposition, who in my view simply aren’t top drawer. I have played both of them in the NRNB market for large stakes.

[TigerRolllllll]

I wonder if that's down to stable form?

Good to have clarity though on the target.

Was the change in going and conditions I believe ….article in RP

Guess didn’t want too hard race so close

[Lobos]

For me this is one of the easiest races of the week to play. Whoever comes here out of Sir Gerhard and Dysart Dynamo is streets ahead of the opposition, who in my view simply aren’t top drawer. I have played both of them in the NRNB market for large stakes.

Cant have that at all. Neither tested over the distance which in itself is a big negative.

[Istabraq]

I'm so underwhelmed by Journey With Me heading here, he didn't look a star yesterday and although I accept you only need to beat what's in front of you there's a huge element of class needed to the best in a festival G1.
HDB knows the horse best obviously but for me he either thinks Ginto is a beast and can't be beaten or he rates the Ballymore a poor renewal and/or the Mullins pair are vulnerable...

[Lobos]

Don't agree Ista. They crawled for 3/4 mile yesterday and JWM was ridden restrained early doors, neither of which would have suited him. However, he still won and won easily which is the sign of a very good horse. He has pace, he has stamina and he jumps very economically. Clearly connections think he's very good. He's unbeaten and they certainly haven't got any where near the bottom of him. He's been placed very well and had the perfect prep yesterday. He'll be ridden more prominently in March and is a big player in what looks to be a weak Ballymore this year. I understand why people crab him now as he's not going to the race they want him to but that's not going to suddenly make him a bad horse.