2022 Ballymore Novices Hurdle

[OscarWhisky]

Leman14s analysis of the market does raise more questions than answers. I'm a Dysart Dynamo man and have most of the other top contenders covered for the Bartlett so I want to cover a runner now at decent odds that might have this as their target. Already have Gerri Colombe and I'll entertain Grand Jury ahead of the Lawlors.
I can't quite believe I'm uttering these words after the expletives that spilled out after his first effort but I Am Maximus may look interesting if he hacks up tomorrow and with his yard already having 2 of the 3 strong favourites in the Supreme.....

[isitmarchyet]

I Am Maximus entered in the 2m4 at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

I Am Maximus declared... might be time to cash my Supreme bet on him now, but a little unsure.

[Irish Rugby]

Gerri Colombe still as much as 25s for this even though he's come out and impressed, and at Gordon's favourite Down Royal. Seems to be the only horse to win from the big stables over Christmas that hasn't come in the betting, either for this or the AB. Makes me wonder if he's going down the handicap route but being Robcor owned you'd think they would be aiming higher.

Anyone else got similar concerns?

[Leman14]

I personally can't see IAM beating Jondon and/or Constitution Hill, let alone Sir Gerhard and whatever else Ireland throw at this.

His best chance of success at the Festival would be over the middle distance (if at all) and it's worth a roll of the dice.

I think that pre-season - Firestep would have been Henderson's Ballymore hope, but with no entries, maybe IAM is their solution.

Still not sure that he's better than Stage Star!

[ToniC]

Gerri Colombe still as much as 25s for this even though he's come out and impressed, and at Gordon's favourite Down Royal. Seems to be the only horse to win from the big stables over Christmas that hasn't come in the betting, either for this or the AB. Makes me wonder if he's going down the handicap route but being Robcor owned you'd think they would be aiming higher.

Anyone else got similar concerns?

As soon as firms price up the Martin pipe I’m backing him for that

[The King Pimm]

As soon as firms price up the Martin pipe I’m backing him for that

O’Tooles price has not been cut much either after his impressive debut win. Maybe the bookies were not that impressed

[isitmarchyet]

Hubrisko declared over 2m4 on Saturday. Could potentially be one for this, if he's good enough of course.

[denman]

O’Tooles price has not been cut much either after his impressive debut win. Maybe the bookies were not that impressed

Probably because he's only won an auction maiden.

[charlie]

Stage Star does nothing for me. PN has never won this despite taking some proper tools and I just don't associate PN with producing top novice hurdlers - I think even he would concede that. Visually SS looked good yesterday, but I reckon there are loads back in Ireland you could chuck into a race that rubbish and they would have looked just as good. So the form is a question mark and all 17 winners of the Challow to come here have flopped. PN will know that and could even wait for Aintree with him. All in all makes zero appeal.

[The King Pimm]

I think the Ballymore is looking the weaker of the novice championship hurdle race at this stage but if Ginto, JWM, IAM, Stagestar, TSL and O’Toole are confirmed it will become a really good race. I’m sure closer to the date it will look a lot more meatier but it’s reminding me of the year Longhouse Poet won where apart from Champ there were no stand out candidates so there maybe some good value to be had on the day of the race.

I’m hoping I Am Maximus can put in a big performance on NYD to really throw his hat into the ring and hopefully Firestep will impress on debut whenever that is.

[denman]

Nicholls has a line on the Irish form through Gringo A'Aubrelle - Ash Tree Meadow - Sir Gerhard. He's said he'll run if it looks winnable.

[Stormez]

I think the Ballymore is looking the weaker of the novice championship hurdle race at this stage but if Ginto, JWM, IAM, Stagestar, TSL and O’Toole are confirmed it will become a really good race. I’m sure closer to the date it will look a lot more meatier but it’s reminding me of the year Longhouse Poet won where apart from Champ there were no stand out candidates so there maybe some good value to be had on the day of the race.

I’m hoping I Am Maximus can put in a big performance on NYD to really throw his hat into the ring and hopefully Firestep will impress on debut whenever that is.

And Dysart Dynamo

[Quevega]

And Dysart Dynamo

I think there is a real possibilty he may be tried at 2 miles again.
Willie mentioned a trip as he needed to settle, but a strong pace would also help this.
With him missing the lawlor's.
There is no real grade 1 or grade 2 novice hurdles left over further than 2m, except the 2m 6f at Dublin.
I'd say he would be more likely to run in the Moscow Flyer or the 2 mile race at Dublin.

Don't get me wrong he could go for the 2m 6f race though.
I think Willie will be running 3 or 4 in both races in Dublin.
I think he ran 6 in the 2 mile race last year.

[Stormez]

I think there is a real possibilty he may be tried at 2 miles again.
Willie mentioned a trip as he needed to settle, but a strong pace would also help this.
With him missing the lawlor's.
There is no real grade 1 or grade 2 novice hurdles left over further than 2m, except the 2m 6f at Dublin.
I'd say he would be more likely to run in the Moscow Flyer or the 2 mile race at Dublin.

Don't get me wrong he could go for the 2m 6f race though.
I think Willie will be running 3 or 4 in both races in Dublin.
I think he ran 6 in the 2 mile race last year.

Bloody conundrum this race isn’t it, praying the Lawlors answers most of our questions

[Quevega]

Bloody conundrum this race isn’t it, praying the Lawlors answers most of our questions

Willie's supreme horse is the same.
He has Kilcruit and state man with major issues.
He has a few mares.
He has Sir Gerhard who has only won a maiden and the bumper form now not looking that great. It's not bad, but it's not red hot, and they all look short of graded level to me.
He has the chevely park horses that we haven't seen yet.
Hubrisko starts at 2 miles 4furlongs.
Whatdeawant in the lawlors.

He cannot be too sure of his pecking order for either race just yet.
So I think he's most likely to run his supreme and potential ballymore horses over 2m next, and the ballymore and potential bartlett horses over the 2m 6f. In Dublin.