2022 Ballymore Novices Hurdle

[Silverbirch]

With all the talk about how Gordon is going to split all his novices does anybody think he might be getting fed up with being ?agazillion ahead in the title race only for Willie to do what he does every year...and hold more back for the back end to try and counter...obviously he may suffer at little Cheltenham wise but if he can poach a few from Willie over in Ireland it might make all the difference...it’d be quite the statement after his time out.

Or the complete opposite? He'd wanna shine at the Fez?

[Rooster Booster]

Or the complete opposite? He'd wanna shine at the Fez?

Well that’s his normal mo...so my question was could it be different this year?

[archie]

With all the talk about how Gordon is going to split all his novices does anybody think he might be getting fed up with being ?agazillion ahead in the title race only for Willie to do what he does every year...and hold more back for the back end to try and counter...obviously he may suffer at little Cheltenham wise but if he can poach a few from Willie over in Ireland it might make all the difference...it’d be quite the statement after his time out.

He's already over 250k behind Willie. After the DRF he's likely to be even further down.

His owners will not stand for ducking Cheltenham to have a punt at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

[Olliemagern]

Henderson surely has to consider constitution hill here doesn't he?

I know he has said him and jonbon are both targeting the supreme but if there is still no clear fav in this in another months time and henderson doesn't have anything else for here then there must be a good chance.

Henderson has run simonsig in this before and then brought him back for an arkle a year later so even if he sees CH as a two miler he could still take advantage of a weak ballymore if thats how it turns out and then return to two miles.

Would the owner really mind going up in trip for one race so henderson could split his best two novices if he thought this race is more winnable?

I know he could also send jonbon here but from the way he talks about them you would imagine if either will get wound up by the big day then it would more likely be jonbon so from the two he'd probably rather jonbon in the supreme, CH sounds very laid back so if they went a slow pace here like they often do he could just switch off and then sprint away at the end if good enough.

henderson might have the favourite come New Year’s Day if I am maximus wins well

[Rooster Booster]

He's already over 250k behind Willie. After the DRF he's likely to be even further down.

His owners will not stand for ducking Cheltenham to have a punt at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

Is he ..I was going to check but was too lazy and just assumed he’d be ahead so forget that

[Odin]

Journey With Me - Apologies if already mentioned but hadn't seen it anywhere, Henry mentions in link below that the 2m 6f Nathaniel Lacy at the DRF is probably the most likely race for JWM. Won last year by Gaillard Du Mesnil who obviously came here but 2020 by Latest Exhibition and 2019 Commander Of Fleet who both went to and placed in the AB. Again calls him a 'stayer'.

https://youtu.be/_yN1oOPqtNk - Interview from 5:08.

Hadn't seen this, thanks. If anything, going straight for that race is an even bigger hint of how highly they rate him given the original plan was a Grade 3 (which obviously still might happen). Interesting that he echos some of the concerns that have been on this forum that he might need soft ground, although yesterday showed he doesn't need it bottomless

[Brooksie]

Henry from the start has stated that JWM is not like Bolinger. Quite strongly aswell. Has always mentioned he being a stayer.

Beating minella crooner by 3.5L is nothing spectacular.
I think the fact Kilcruit was beat is a major factor in the Ballymore chat. I think the previous Largy form speaks for itself. If Kilcruit wasn't in that race yesterday, surely that's not far off a perfect performance in regards to going for the Albert Bartlett.

To my eye he clearly wants further, I do believe he'd be vulnerable in the ballymore to a sprint finish, something like dysart dynamo and my own personal choice O'toole could nip him and I'm sure we haven't seen the full market in regards to this race yet.

AB still very likely IMO.

I don't think you have to be like Bob Olinger to run in this race, you still need staying qualities and It only becomes a sprint to the line if you let it. If he did line up here you'd expect Rachel to line him up in front and make it a stern test.

A bit harsh on Minella Crooner, what has he done wrong so far? His resume looks more than above average and I imagine he'll be a decent chaser in time.

[Lobos]

Journey With Me - Apologies if already mentioned but hadn't seen it anywhere, Henry mentions in link below that the 2m 6f Nathaniel Lacy at the DRF is probably the most likely race for JWM. Won last year by Gaillard Du Mesnil who obviously came here but 2020 by Latest Exhibition and 2019 Commander Of Fleet who both went to and placed in the AB. Again calls him a 'stayer'.

https://youtu.be/_yN1oOPqtNk - Interview from 5:08.

Hopefully goes Albert then .

[The Giant Bolster]

henderson might have the favourite come New Year’s Day if I am maximus wins well

I think Henderson upping I Am Maximus is a bad sign. As a general rule, Henderson clearly prefers to run his best horses in the Supreme (in particular) or Albert Bartlett. My sense is that his runners end up in the Ballymore if they have either disappointed at 2m or he has too many better runners in the other races. A list of his runners in the two races, clearly shows this with the only exception since Simonsig's win in 2012 being Champ.

SUPREME:

2021:

No runner

2020:

Shishkin (1st)
Chantry House (3rd)
Allart (5th)

2019:

Angels Breath (7th)
Mister Fisher (8th)

2018:

Claimtakinforgan (5th)

2017:

River Wylde (3rd)
Beyond Conceit (6th)

2016:

Altior (1st)
Buveur D’Air (3rd)

2015:

L’Ami Serge (4th)

2014:

Josses Hill (2nd)
Vaniteux (3rd)

2013:

My Tent or Yours (2nd)
River Maigue (8th)

2012:

Darlan (2nd)
Tetlami (9th)

BALLYMORE:

2021:

No runner

2020:

Son of Camus (PU)

2019:

Champ (2nd)

2018:

No runner

2017:

Burbank (4th)
Consul De Thaix (F)

2016:

O O Seven (8th)

2015:

Vyta Du Roc (4th)

2014:

Cup Final (10th)
Cocktails At Dawn (11th)

2013:

Chatterbox I (4th)

2012:

Simonsig (1st)
Nelson’s Bridge (14th)

So 9 horses placed or better in the Supreme in the last ten years. Two in the Ballymore. And of course he is not afraid to run horses against each other in the Supreme so doesn't even tend to split them.

Personally, a Henderson horse would have to look exceptional for me to have much interest in the Ballymore (or - indeed - the Albert Bartlett). He's basically selecting the quality in his stable for us.

[fitzy78]

Journey With Me - Apologies if already mentioned but hadn't seen it anywhere, Henry mentions in link below that the 2m 6f Nathaniel Lacy at the DRF is probably the most likely race for JWM. Won last year by Gaillard Du Mesnil who obviously came here but 2020 by Latest Exhibition and 2019 Commander Of Fleet who both went to and placed in the AB. Again calls him a 'stayer'.

https://youtu.be/_yN1oOPqtNk - Interview from 5:08.

Here's a question re Gerri.. If this is the case with JWM where does Gerri go for his trial? I'm not on it like you lot on here regarding trials but I cant see one suitable for Gerri

[The Giant Bolster]

Hopefully goes Albert then .

For me, it feels like from the quotes that JWM has been seen as a stayer. He's won the race planned for him on this route. I can't see why the plan should change just on this. Like most of the forum, I definitely want him to run in the AB but I don't think my reasoning is biased.

Importantly, HdB and Robcour have entered Grand Jury in the Lawlors which is a natural Ballymore route. If he completely bombs on Sunday then I might get more worried.

I do think the Lawlors is a great point to get value still in this race. It is such a strong Ballymore pointer and there are horses entered for the Lawlors still at good odds for the Ballymore (according to Oddschecker):

Hollow Games 33-1
Ginto 20-1
Whatdeawant 20-1
Grand Jury 50-1

After decs, I'll definitely be getting some of these more onside.

[Craigy14]

With all the talk about how Gordon is going to split all his novices does anybody think he might be getting fed up with being ?agazillion ahead in the title race only for Willie to do what he does every year...and hold more back for the back end to try and counter...obviously he may suffer at little Cheltenham wise but if he can poach a few from Willie over in Ireland it might make all the difference...it’d be quite the statement after his time out.

Absolutely a trillion percent….no.

Gordon missed the festival, I’d say he’ll be bringing as many horses on the boats as he can get on.

[giantcauseway]

Here's a question re Gerri.. If this is the case with JWM where does Gerri go for his trial? I'm not on it like you lot on here regarding trials but I cant see one suitable for Gerri

Michael Purcell?

[Winging The Last]

Looks like Ginto will definitely run in the Lawlors and maybe Hollow Games.

Gordon keeps on saying that Ginto is more for the future and a chaser. He is definitely a future Good Cup horse in Gordon’s eyes and he thinks he is better than Hollow Games.

It’s just whether they both go Cheltenham and what races they go for if they do go there

https://twitter.com/naasracecourse/status/1476631989319049221?s=21

[JackieMoon33]

Looks like Ginto will definitely run in the Lawlors and maybe Hollow Games.

Gordon keeps on saying that Ginto is more for the future and a chaser. He is definitely a future Good Cup horse in Gordon’s eyes and he thinks he is better than Hollow Games.

It’s just whether they both go Cheltenham and what races they go for if they do go there

https://twitter.com/naasracecourse/s...319049221?s=21

Defi-nightly

is there a link to the quote where Gordon compares the two as above?