2022 Ballymore Novices Hurdle

[Quevega]

All fair.... again though, who are the classier types with speed and stamina this renewal?

I think you know already.
It looks thin on the ground as they are all going for the supreme apparently !

But either of the Mullins would be strong favourite on Spring ground I reckon.
If Might Potter and or State man turned up here, I'd have them ahead of Ginto & JWM also. Or at least on a par from a price perspective. Unless ground very soft.
So those three.
The Henderson horse would worry me, but he's only won a maiden so I can't like his price now.

[Kevloaf]

Sorry Odin none of my comments were meant to offend.

I agree with your last comment too. That's how my ideal results are weighted.

All in all, I just think ruling out JWM is a bit premature given we all seem to agree that there is only 1 horse we really fancy... this far out anyway.

[Odin]

Sorry Odin none of my comments were meant to offend.

I agree with your last comment too. That's how my ideal results are weighted.

All in all, I just think ruling out JWM is a bit premature given we all seem to agree that there is only 1 horse we really fancy... this far out anyway.

No problem mate - I don't think any of the comments were meant to offend to be fair, which is why I was just going to walk away from the conversation rather than reacting.

I'd argue we fancy two horses (SG and DD) over anything else, so based on the logic of Willie sending his best horses to the race they have the best chance of winning, if one got injured I'd expect the other to go Ballymore. I don't want to bet on the basis that two horses get injured so I'm happy to have JWM on side (and wouldn't be cashing out even if I could) whilst being extremely pessimistic as to his chances in this specific race based on everything we've seen so far

[Benjy23]

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.

[Spectre]

I'd go a step further than most and say after that I'm underwhelmed to the extent I'm not sure I fancy him for either race now, so my pocket isn't talking.

I certainly couldn't have him for a Ballymore, and depending what turns up I'd consider place laying him. The Bartlett is harder to assess to be that definitive, and that is what leaves me thinking after todays run that has to be the race for him despite Henry De Bromhead playing politician because of the owners thoughts. It's either that or he's taking advice from his guide dog, or he has simply lost the plot.

[Kevloaf]

Simple enough task for Stage Star tomorrow at Exeter.

Last I think I read that was he may miss Cheltenham, suppose we'll find out after tomorrow, I assume they'll ask!

[darlojim]

Simple enough task for Stage Star tomorrow at Exeter.

Last I think I read that was he may miss Cheltenham, suppose we'll find out after tomorrow, I assume they'll ask!

Think someone from the owners group kind of confirmed it Kev? Maybe Leman14 ?? could be wrong though.

[Irish Rugby]

Henry going on about 'talking to connections' does make me think they'd prefer to go to the Ballymore against his better wishes, but after today I wonder if he'll impress them to go further. I'd say at this point Willie is comfortable enough. If he splits SG and DD, he has a good chance of taking both, from what we've seen on the racecourse.

[Lobos]

I don't think Robcour would have much say in where any of their horses go. If the trainer says a certain race is the better option then owners 99% of the time would bow to their superior knowledge. That's how it works. If JWM goes Ballymore then that's the best race for him.

[ToniC]

Yeah Brian Acheson doesn’t come across like the type to want to take a lead role in dictating targets. Henry probably just being courteous. I’d find it hard to think that they’d be determined to split him, GJ, and gc, as those two are probably looking less likely to be grade 1 animals by now, and even if they did want to split, you’d think the lesser ones would probably slot in around JWM.

If they want to go for the Ballymore, myself would be taking that as Henry is convinced it’s the best race for him, and he’s won that and the Bartlett in the last couple of years or so, so you’d hope he’d know the difference.

[Saxon Warrior]

Yeah Brian Acheson doesn’t come across like the type to want to take a lead role in dictating targets. Henry probably just being courteous. I’d find it hard to think that they’d be determined to split him, GJ, and gc, as those two are probably looking less likely to be grade 1 animals by now, and even if they did want to split, you’d think the lesser ones would probably slot in around JWM.

If they want to go for the Ballymore, myself would be taking that as Henry is convinced it’s the best race for him, and he’s won that and the Bartlett in the last couple of years or so, so you’d hope he’d know the difference.

He would probably get beaten in either race, on todays ponderous run.

[Chris]

I'd go a step further than most and say after that I'm underwhelmed to the extent I'm not sure I fancy him for either race now, so my pocket isn't talking.

I certainly couldn't have him for a Ballymore, and depending what turns up I'd consider place laying him. The Bartlett is harder to assess to be that definitive, and that is what leaves me thinking after todays run that has to be the race for him despite Henry De Bromhead playing politician because of the owners thoughts. It's either that or he's taking advice from his guide dog, or he has simply lost the plot.

I tend to agree with you regarding JWM, I can't for the life of me see the Ballymore as the race for him. People keep making the reference between Bob and JWM they are chalk and cheese. Last year Henry thought Bob was good enough to run in the Supreme but common sense prevailed and he ran the right race. JWM could never compete in the Supreme and for me to win the Ballymore you need both speed and stamina. JWM only has only one string to his bow when two are needed, so again Henry some common sense is required.

[Saxon Warrior]

I tend to agree with you regarding JWM, I can't for the life of me see the Ballymore as the race for him. People keep making the reference between Bob and JWM they are chalk and cheese. Last year Henry thought Bob was good enough to run in the Supreme but common sense prevailed and he ran the right race. JWM could never compete in the Supreme and for me to win the Ballymore you need both speed and stamina. JWM only has only one string to his bow when two are needed, so again Henry some common sense is required.

He looks a grinder, for sure.

Hes a mile behind the Supreme big horses, and one or two of them could tip up in the Ballymore, if not others from Willies yard.

[ToniC]

He would probably get beaten in either race, on todays ponderous run.

would be inclined to agree. Potentially not the best crop of novices ever outside of the 2m division this year? Whatever WPM runs here will go off short short, especially if Ginto goes 3m

[Leman14]

Think someone from the owners group kind of confirmed it Kev? Maybe Leman14 ?? could be wrong though.

Latest Nicholls comment was that Ballymore hasn’t been completely ruled out, but Aintree is major target.

I guess he is waiting to see what turns up.