2022 Ballymore Novices Hurdle

[Fouroverthrutwo]

Whatdeawant - a horse I had down for the Albert Bartlett, has been mentioned in the Mullins stable tour as a horse that may well go here due to the owners sponsoring the race. This was pointed out to me on the AB thread (forgot who but thank you) but with an actual race mentioned as a potential I thought I'd share.

As with what I've already said, he was out of the screen when he raced Kilcruit and absolutely flashed home for an unlikely third. He seemed to pick up a lot and I don't think it was because the first two were easing down. He's definitely worth keeping an eye on and the fact that Willie Mullins hasn't shut the owners down with Ballymore talk is a positive as I am sure they'd rather be placed into races they can get some prize money from rather than entering because its a race they sponsor...winning some prize money in a race they sponsor would be nice for them though.

I watched that race again last night and he absolutely flew home on only his second start. There should be plenty of improvement to come one would think and 50/1 offers reasonable value at this stage.

[Lobos]

Klassical Dream was an Arkle horse this time last year. Now he's a staying hurdler!!

Still a 1 million percent nut job though

[The King Pimm]

I’m looking forward to Three Stripe Life’s debut over hurdles tomorrow at Fairyhouse. I hope the Balleymore will be his target but given he’s trained by Gordon Elliot there is that doubt he maybe be the start of a handicap plot. I think he has the nice blend of power and speed from his bumper form to be a real threat in this race

[That Horse]

I’m looking forward to Three Stripe Life’s debut over hurdles tomorrow at Fairyhouse. I hope the Balleymore will be his target but given he’s trained by Gordon Elliot there is that doubt he maybe be the start of a handicap plot. I think he has the nice blend of power and speed from his bumper form to be a real threat in this race

4th in the Cheltenham bumper in only his 2nd start, you'd be hoping they aim higher than a handicap

I've just come off Bet365 and covered for this and the AB, the price will be split in half if he wins if the weekend was anything to go by

[The King Pimm]

4th in the Cheltenham bumper in only his 2nd start, you'd be hoping they aim higher than a handicap

I've just come off Bet365 and covered for this and the AB, the price will be split in half if he wins if the weekend was anything to go by

I hope he’s aimed higher but unless he’s convincing tomorrow he may be the start of another Elliot handicap plot!! I think he will be good enough and the Ballymore his race

[SamuelP]

I haven't posted for a while, but looking forward to seeing Three Stripe Life today. Thought it was a good performance in the Cheltenham bumper in behind Sir G and Kilcruit, and have backed here as I believe this might be his best trip. I think because the Skelton horse finished with a rattle from further back and passes TSL up the hill, it could look as though TSL wasn't staying on but other horses weren't getting closer for me, nor were the front 2 pulling away considerably. It was TSL's 2nd run and he was keen so I think there is room for considerable improvement with a step up in trip also as he is bred to stay. Even though i say all this I find myself asking should I also back for the Supreme with cashout just in case as at 1/4 he should win and will probably get cut, and he didn't look a slow horse. What do others feel about the horse and early thoughts on distance?

[ToniC]

I haven't posted for a while, but looking forward to seeing Three Stripe Life today. Thought it was a good performance in the Cheltenham bumper in behind Sir G and Kilcruit, and have backed here as I believe this might be his best trip. I think because the Skelton horse finished with a rattle from further back and passes TSL up the hill, it could look as though TSL wasn't staying on but other horses weren't getting closer for me, nor were the front 2 pulling away considerably. It was TSL's 2nd run and he was keen so I think there is room for considerable improvement with a step up in trip also as he is bred to stay. Even though i say all this I find myself asking should I also back for the Supreme with cashout just in case as at 1/4 he should win and will probably get cut, and he didn't look a slow horse. What do others feel about the horse and early thoughts on distance?

He’s 1/4 today, or might have drifted a bit this morning, but he’s very likely to win and will be cut for both. Imo if you’ve got 365, it’s not much stake you’d have to tie up at the price to just wait and see where he’s entered up next time and then make a decision. I’ve backed a few of the novice hurdlers in 2 of the 3 races and he’s one of them, you’ve a lot more to lose by not doing it rather than doing it IMO if you have cashout options.

And FWIW, I’d be edging toward him being a supreme horse, rather than ballymore, but can definitely see both sides.

[JackieMoon33]

I haven't posted for a while, but looking forward to seeing Three Stripe Life today. Thought it was a good performance in the Cheltenham bumper in behind Sir G and Kilcruit, and have backed here as I believe this might be his best trip. I think because the Skelton horse finished with a rattle from further back and passes TSL up the hill, it could look as though TSL wasn't staying on but other horses weren't getting closer for me, nor were the front 2 pulling away considerably. It was TSL's 2nd run and he was keen so I think there is room for considerable improvement with a step up in trip also as he is bred to stay. Even though i say all this I find myself asking should I also back for the Supreme with cashout just in case as at 1/4 he should win and will probably get cut, and he didn't look a slow horse. What do others feel about the horse and early thoughts on distance?

I've only got him covered for the Ballymore and prefer others to him in the other novice hurdle races. I posted something similar a while back that his bumper run can be marked up considerably due to his lack of racing experience, his issues in the prelims and the fact he was keen during the race. If you like to build books then he's worth covering but I limit myself to selections in each race and he only made the cut for the Ballymore.

[SamuelP]

Thanks for your replies guys. I think we have a similar assessment on the horse JM, and he's one I favour for the Ballymore.
Toni I think that sounds like a good way to play it, just didn't want to tie up too many points if I have doubts about a certain trip, but think maybe smaller stakes on Supreme and more on Ballymore for me atm.

[JackieMoon33]

Thanks for your replies guys. I think we have a similar assessment on the horse JM, and he's one I favour for the Ballymore.
Toni I think that sounds like a good way to play it, just didn't want to tie up too many points if I have doubts about a certain trip, but think maybe smaller stakes on Supreme and more on Ballymore for me atm.

He's priced between 25-33/1 for the three novice races so you could probably still back him post race if something came to light in regards to trip/target. Should he do the business today I can still see him being 16/1 which is not the worst entry point.

[ComplyOrDie]

I can't seem to bring myself to back Three Stripe Life.

I can't fault his two bumper performances to date, but I, like many probably, am struggling to nail him to a particular race, and the any race price isn't appealing, as I'll still be able to get above that price for a race specifically even after his performances where I can assess him further, and then hopefully make a decision based on visuals as well.

[Istabraq]

I can't seem to bring myself to back Three Stripe Life.

I can't fault his two bumper performances to date, but I, like many probably, am struggling to nail him to a particular race, and the any race price isn't appealing, as I'll still be able to get above that price for a race specifically even after his performances where I can assess him further, and then hopefully make a decision based on visuals as well.

Yep this is where I'm at.

So far, off the top of my head, there's:

I am Maximus
Kilcruit
Sir Gerhard
Grangeclare West
Jonbon
Journey With Me
Dysart Dynamo
My Mate Mozie
Classic Getaway
Hollow Games

I'm sure there's more, but these are ten top quality/highly hyped horses who are at/near the head of the market in more than one novice hurdle, and then there's the likelihood that one or more will prove to be short of G1 class and head for the County/Coral Cup/Pertemps.
I've got a few backed but this year I'm not chasing nice prices and guessing at targets, I'll happily lose the value and back them nearer the time when so many of the unknowns won't exist...

[Lbur4288]

Gerri Colombe has an entry over 2 miles on Saturday

[jono]

I think Three Stripe Life could be Elliotts Supreme horse come March.
He ran a big race in the bumper for only his second run. Given his inexperience, age against the front 2, and keen going - I think there will be plenty to come from him this season. Looking forward to his run shortly. He definitely doesn't look a slow horse to me.

[Quevega]

I think Three Stripe Life could be Elliotts Supreme horse come March.
He ran a big race in the bumper for only his second run. Given his inexperience, age against the front 2, and keen going - I think there will be plenty to come from him this season. Looking forward to his run shortly. He definitely doesn't look a slow horse to me.

What did you think ?
Not impressed by him.
Hate his breeding. So haven't backed him to date.
Was hovering in case price held after race, but not bothered.
Price really ought not to change much, maybe 25-1 instead of 33-1 ?