2022 Ballymore Novices Hurdle

[Kevloaf]

Gordon Elliott on RTV did lean towards the Ballymore, he said before today he'd have thought AB though.
Entered in both blah blah.

He said Ginto goes straight to the festival and Hollow Games will definitely go to the DRF

[Guinness Village]

The lawlors did look like a battle of the lollopy old hectors. Probably because certainly 3 of the first 4 home are strong staying types. It’s just made me even more confused.
im going to top up on gerri for this race and get classic getaway in the book

[Zachx02]

Gordon said before today he saw Ginto as an AB horse, said now he'll go back and have a rethink and talk to Jack Kennedy and the owners, Hollow Games going DRF

[Studfarm254]

Gordon Elliott on RTV did lean towards the Ballymore, he said before today he'd have thought AB though.
Entered in both blah blah.

He said Ginto goes straight to the festival and Hollow Games will definitely go to the DRF

He never mentioned leaning towards ballymore, my take on it was it’s more likely to go AB. Gordon isn’t stupid like and let’s be honest splitting the pair is pretty irrelevant because hollow games won’t be winning anything at Cheltenham this year and will very likely get beat at the DRF too. Gordon wants Cheltenham winners so he’ll put ginto in whatever race he thinks its more likely to win.

[Kevloaf]

He never mentioned leaning towards ballymore, my take on it was it’s more likely to go AB. Gordon isn’t stupid like and let’s be honest splitting the pair is pretty irrelevant because hollow games won’t be winning anything at Cheltenham this year and will very likely get beat at the DRF too. Gordon wants Cheltenham winners so he’ll put ginto in whatever race he thinks its more likely to win.

Yeah I didn't quote him, I listened and thought that he leaned towards the Ballymore after the race.

I'm not sure I'd completely rule Hollow Games out, but I would definitely consider Ginto the rightful favourite if they met again over a longer distance.

[Exar Essay]

I think Whatdeawant has a lot of excuses today. Given a strange ride and slipped at the crucial moment. Seems to prefer spring ground too. We’re fairly confident he’s going here too, given the owners intentions.

I was going to add him to a short list to consider on the day, but 365 have overreacted again and pushed him out to 33s (best of 20s elsewhere) and think that’s value.

[Quevega]

Yeah I didn't quote him, I listened and thought that he leaned towards the Ballymore after the race.

I'm not sure I'd completely rule Hollow Games out, but I would definitely consider Ginto the rightful favourite if they met again over a longer distance.

I think he did lean.
It's just a question of how far and in what position he was in before the race.
It sounds like he was laid on the floor towards the bartlett but has now lifted off the floor but not quite stood up or gone over to his other side.
Obviously Gordon cannot lean as well as Michael Jackson, as he's more of a weeble.

[Studfarm254]

Yeah I didn't quote him, I listened and thought that he leaned towards the Ballymore after the race.

I'm not sure I'd completely rule Hollow Games out, but I would definitely consider Ginto the rightful favourite if they met again over a longer distance.

Fair enough. After watching it myself and trying to read between the lines it sounded to me more like 83.7% AB and 16.3% ballymore. Mentioned before going into the race today he seen it as an AB horse. Talking about its race today he mentioned how it stays and all it does is stay (which is what u need for the AB) He also made a point of saying if it had turned into a sprint finish, it wudnt suit the horse (sprint finishes is something u would associate with the ballymore). Anyway I’ve him backed for both and not confident enough yet to cash him for either

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

I suspect when they reflect upon it, now that they’ve seen Ginto can win a grade 1 over 2m 4f they’ll opt for the Ballymore and adopt similar front running tactics. I think the extra furlong of the Ballymore coupled with the Cheltenham hill will seem them go down this route. That leaves Hollow Games for the AB and enables them to split their horses. I suspect HG will be given too high a mark for a handicap.

[Spectre]

I suspect when they reflect upon it, now that they’ve seen Ginto can win a grade 1 over 2m 4f they’ll opt for the Ballymore and adopt similar front running tactics. I think the extra furlong of the Ballymore coupled with the Cheltenham hill will seem them go down this route. That leaves Hollow Games for the AB and enables them to split their horses. I suspect HG will be given too high a mark for a handicap.

This is exactly how I see it.

[Kautothegreat8]

Ginto has run most of his races over 2 1/2 miles. I dont see them switching him now with no run between now and the festival. Hollow Games will most likely run over further at the DRF.

2 1/2 miles around Cheltenham looks perfect to me.

No brainer.

[Kevloaf]

Yes, agree with the last few posts, that's where I'm at too.

[charlie]

Gordon will almost certainly opt for the Ballymore with Ginto IMO. He won't commit post race because he'll want to consult with the Morans out of courtesy more than anything else, and there are other horses in the mix too, like Hollow Games, so those conversations also have to be had. The price will also hold whilst he 'ummms and aaaah's', and I imagine a few of the stable will get on in the interim.

[Studfarm254]

Yes, agree with the last few posts, that's where I'm at too.

I also completely agree btw, I’d send him ballymore 2. A few factors could still play a part in this. If hollow games gets well beat at the DRF. Then if he steps three stripe life up in trip and gerri colombe could also run in this. So will all depend on their next runs. I doubt he’ll be making the call anytime soon.

[Irish Rugby]

Agree with Charlie above. Market moves shortly for these horses may be a guide.