2022 Ballymore Novices Hurdle

[Istabraq]

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.

That early pace was terrible.

He's had two runs so clearly they haven't got to the bottom of him, you think he's been very well placed but surely you would like to have seen him in a graded race before heading for the Ballymore ? Just seems to have been a really odd season for novices and where/when they've run.
I hope I'm wrong, I want him to be a superstar.....

[Lobos]

I'm not sure he'll need to be a superstar to win what looks a sub standard Ballymore. The main danger according to punters looks like coming from either Sir G or Dysart Dynamo but neither of those have been tested over the distance so it'll be a guess as to whether they'll stay. The best of the the English looks to be Stage Star and he's got plenty of questions about him as well. For me it's JWM who is in the driving seat.

[Zachx02]

Was there any trainer quotes from Henry yesterday after JWM's performance?

[Odin]

The problem with all the speedier types as far as trends are concerned is 9/10 have won over at least 2m 4f...

The Mullins three (DD, Sir G and SM) all haven't. Neither have Walking On Air, or TSL if he steps up. I won't go much further but there's very few (if any) that have shown speed at 2 miles earlier this season and also already stepped up and won over 2 and a half.

Missed this yesterday, but it was a fair comment. My 'counter' to that would be that of the speedier types we are only really talking about Mullins' horses and they probably started back a bit later than usual this year so haven't really had the opportunity to run over 2m4f yet having missed the Lawlors? In a normal year, I'd be more concerned by this part though and you know - if anyone wants to break a stat, it's Willie

[Stormez]

Was there any trainer quotes from Henry yesterday after JWM's performance?

https://twitter.com/racingtv/status/1492508928386772993?s=21

[FredFlintstone]

N Henderson RP last night Walking On Air

"He's extremely talented and I'd like to give him another run before the festival, but we'll see whether there's time or not."

[Saxon Warrior]

N Henderson RP last night Walking On Air

"He's extremely talented and I'd like to give him another run before the festival, but we'll see whether there's time or not."

Probably the last chance he has is on Saturday at Ascot. 2M3.5F.

Entries this afternoon

4 Ballymore runners in recent years used that as their last race beforehand.

[Danoli]

Missed this yesterday, but it was a fair comment. My 'counter' to that would be that of the speedier types we are only really talking about Mullins' horses and they probably started back a bit later than usual this year so haven't really had the opportunity to run over 2m4f yet having missed the Lawlors? In a normal year, I'd be more concerned by this part though and you know - if anyone wants to break a stat, it's Willie

Sir Gerhard has won a PTP. I know its of a lesser standard tbf but I wouldn't be worried that he mightn't stay, if that is the argument regarding the trend.

I hope he goes to Supreme, mind you!!

[Odin]

Sir Gerhard has won a PTP. I know its of a lesser standard tbf but I wouldn't be worried that he mightn't stay, if that is the argument regarding the trend.

I hope he goes to Supreme, mind you!!

Yeah, I agree on all accounts mate. I think that both SG and DD would stay, but hope (like you) it's SG Supreme, DD Ballymore. I suspect whichever turns up here wins, which could be a bad position for me to be in as I still don't have SG covered here!

[Spectre]

Probably the last chance he has is on Saturday at Ascot. 2M3.5F.

Entries this afternoon

4 Ballymore runners in recent years used that as their last race beforehand.

Walking On Air will have to beat the mighty Jeffery's Cross on Saturday first!

[Istabraq]

Walking On Air will have to beat the mighty Jeffery's Cross on Saturday first!

The eagerly awaited debut ?
Look forward to your entry in the 'connections' thread Spectre
Hope he is fit and well...

[Maxfield]

Just trying to find some value in this race and wondered what are people's views on Skytastic? Apart from either SG or DD coming here, its looks a very open race.
I would want to see the horse run again soon before backing, but 50/1 and a boost with Ladbrookes for a few quid each way looks tempting, even though it's not NRNB.

Walters, who enjoyed great success with top hurdlers Oscar Whisky and Whisper, said: "He's some horse. I'm just glad to be able to get him back out for Cheltenham. We'll take those top ones on and he's in the same park. I was very impressed with his jumping and he's up there with some of my best ones."

Thomas, who trains at Walters' base near Cardiff, was delighted with Skytastic's return following a setback earlier in the season.

"He's very special," said the trainer. "I'm very happy and it's more of a relief with a horse like him. We had him ready to run at the start of the season and he pulled a muscle. I've had to start from scratch with him, so you've probably seen him at 90 per cent.

"He lacks racing experience, so we might look to find another race for him before the spring. He's in the two-and-a-half-mile and three-mile races at Cheltenham and I would have thought he'd be more likely to go down the two-and-a-half route."

I was a huge Oscar Whisky fan and if they think he may be as good as him...!

[Saxon Warrior]

I have written a ratings review of the last 10 years on the Ballymore, and what the 1st three home in those races, achieved before they ran in those races.

Then compared to what the current Ballymore entrants have achieved.

Its in my Diary in the Members section

https://www.fatjockey.com/forum/fat-jockey-horse-racing-forum/cheltenham-festival-2021/members-only-cheltenham-antepost-diaries/304487-saxon-warrior-2022-antepost-diary?p=356834#post356834

[Kevloaf]

I have written a ratings review of the last 10 years on the Ballymore, and what the 1st three home in those races, achieved before they ran in those races.

Then compared to what the current Ballymore entrants have achieved.

Its in my Diary in the Members section

https://www.fatjockey.com/forum/fat-...834#post356834

Not read this yet but I'm excited


Wasn't wrong to be

[Speedy17]

Looks like Ginto more likely to come here than the AB.

Full Elliot tour on potential runners is here...

https://twitter.com/Ruby_Tuesday59/status/1493288073475547137?t=phsL3pRVxX0Z_2qmTBJSgA&s=08