2022 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

[Lobos]

I do worry a little for all you guys who seem 100% convinced that JWM is off to the Albert. Henry has said he's starting off at 2 1/2 hasn't he and unless I've missed something he's not said anything beyond that ? Personally I think he'll end up in the Ballymore, the same as Bollinger, as Henry's best Novice. I do have him covered for both though as at this point before he's even run, no one knows where he'll end up. It's a dangerous game any of us pinning our hopes on a Novice who's not jumped a twig yet.

[Big Bucks]

I do worry a little for all you guys who seem 100% convinced that JWM is off to the Albert. Henry has said he's starting off at 2 1/2 hasn't he and unless I've missed something he's not said anything beyond that ? Personally I think he'll end up in the Ballymore, the same as Bollinger, as Henry's best Novice. I do have him covered for both though as at this point before he's even run, no one knows where he'll end up. It's a dangerous game any of us pinning our hopes on a Novice who's not jumped a twig yet.

Don't have him nailed on for AB, but imo think that's where he could go. I have covered Ballymore, but instinct tells me AB!

[Topofthegame2021]

I do worry a little for all you guys who seem 100% convinced that JWM is off to the Albert. Henry has said he's starting off at 2 1/2 hasn't he and unless I've missed something he's not said anything beyond that ? Personally I think he'll end up in the Ballymore, the same as Bollinger, as Henry's best Novice. I do have him covered for both though as at this point before he's even run, no one knows where he'll end up. It's a dangerous game any of us pinning our hopes on a Novice who's not jumped a twig yet.

Personally I have cashed most of my Ballymore bets out. To my eye he doesn’t look to have the pace to win a Ballymore so even if they do send him there I think he would be done by something (DYSART DYNAMO) with more toe

It is just convenient that Bob won the same bumper last year. People seem to forget he also started Monalee off in the same bumper and he went close in an Albert Bartlett.

[Lobos]

Personally I have cashed most of my Ballymore bets out. To my eye he doesn’t look to have the pace to win a Ballymore so even if they do send him there I think he would be done by something (DYSART DYNAMO) with more toe

It is just convenient that Bob won the same bumper last year. People seem to forget he also started Monalee off in the same bumper and he went close in an Albert Bartlett.

Bumper races can be very deceiving. Just take Appreciate It. Looked all the world he was outpaced by Ferney and needed a step up as a Hurdler but look how that ended up. The two codes are mile's apart. We really need to see them over hurdles first before making any decisions.

[Spectre]

De Bromhead has said he sees him as more of a stayer and he's more a Minella Indo type than a Bob Olinger Lobos. Take from that what you will, but that indicates to me he's more likely to go to the Bartlett.

Also when you consider how the Robcour horses are likely to be split up it seems highly likely that's where he goes when you consider what HdB has said.

In addition to that, Declan Phelan, who has first hand info from the yard, has also said he is a stayer, and he's not a Bob O type of horse.

Make of all that what you will, but I'd have it 90% that they'll be campaigning him towards the Bartlett, with only a small chance there is a reason to switch his campaign towards the Ballymore.

[Topofthegame2021]

Bumper races can be very deceiving. Just take Appreciate It. Looked all the world he was outpaced by Ferney and needed a step up as a Hurdler but look how that ended up. The two codes are mile's apart. We really need to see them over hurdles first before making any decisions.

I can accept that - solid point.

These are my thoughts:

• The bumper was over 2m2f in heavy ground. If he was a pacey horse then I don’t think they would’ve run him in that.
• Comparing that bumper to Bobs (side by side) it’s clear he doesn’t have the same potent turn of foot as Bob
• everything you read about JWM mentions him being a dour stayer.

of course it’s a game of opinions and until we see him over a hurdle we can’t be sure. But, that’s usually too late in getting a price

[Lobos]

All valid points you two but the fact is we haven't seen him yet. If he comes out over 2 1/2 on decent ground and blows us all away then they'll not be going up in trip in a hurry. I'm just saying it's better to cover both the Ballymore and the Albert at this stage regardless of what connections have said.

[Ice]

Who would have thought Faugheen would have been a 2 miler !?

[Lobos]

Who would have thought Faugheen would have been a 2 miler !?

Absolutely, his first hurdle was 2m 6f I think !

[JackieMoon33]

Bumper races can be very deceiving. Just take Appreciate It. Looked all the world he was outpaced by Ferney and needed a step up as a Hurdler but look how that ended up. The two codes are mile's apart. We really need to see them over hurdles first before making any decisions.

So you place no novice hurdle ante post bets until you've seen them race?
Even then their debut trip can have little bearing on where they will end up. If you want the best ante post prices you have to make a call and use your own judgement, otherwise just play the TWAR and take lower odds.

[Lobos]

So you place no novice hurdle ante post bets until you've seen them race?
Even then their debut trip can have little bearing on where they will end up. If you want the best ante post prices you have to make a call and use your own judgement, otherwise just play the TWAR and take lower odds.

I normally back them early for 2 out of the 3 races and double the 'better' ones up with other horses with guaranteed targets. I make a judgement on which of the 3 to dump. If the TWAR price looks to be value then that's where I would go. However, this year, they are very few and far between. Its a system that works for me.

[ComplyOrDie]

Who would have thought Faugheen would have been a 2 miler !?

Faugheen was a freak!

[Spectre]

Faugheen was a freak!

I agree. He can do just about anything. He can win a Ballymore, a Champion Hurdle, a whole heap of G1's, and then last season he took Bet365 for almost 150k

[Ice]

Faugheen was a freak!

He certainly was, I'd have backed him in a gold cup.

[Ice]

I agree. He can do just about anything. He can win a Ballymore, a Champion Hurdle, a whole heap of G1's, and then last season he took Bet365 for almost 150k

Faugheen may not have made Cheltenham 2021 but he certainly had a great festival !