2022 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

[darlojim]

Letsbeclearaboutit had a setback and won’t be out until spring as per RP stable tour. Think a few were keen on him for this, myself included.

Yeah this was brought up a week or 2 ago, think 365 suspended cashout shortly after.

[Parachute Paddy]

Yeah this was brought up a week or 2 ago, think 365 suspended cashout shortly after.

Apologies missed that

[DeeBee]

Any news on Journey with me?

[Big Bucks]

Any news on Journey with me?

Has an entry over 2m4 on Sunday

[Winging The Last]

Has an entry over 2m4 on Sunday

Not declared again

[Lobos]

Not declared again

Needs rain. This is going to be a very common theme over the next 2/3 weeks. Its definitely going to have an impact.

[Kautostar]

Hollow games and ginto have both been declared in the monksfield hurdle, Davy on hollow games

[JackieMoon33]

Hollow games and ginto have both been declared in the monksfield hurdle, Davy on hollow games

At that trip I’d be surprised if Ginto will lay a glove on Hollow Games. Hopefully it doesn’t give them ideas that Hollow Games should go to the Ballymore though.

[Lobos]

At that trip I’d be surprised if Ginto will lay a glove on Hollow Games. Hopefully it doesn’t give them ideas that Hollow Games should go to the Ballymore though.

It may do if he shows a deal of pace, especially with the ground as it is. Best to get him covered for both I'd say.

[JackieMoon33]

It may do if he shows a deal of pace, especially with the ground as it is. Best to get him covered for both I'd say.

I’m sticking with the AB only as I have others ahead of him for the Ballymore. I think Hollow Games could get pulled anyway if the ground is too good.

[ComplyOrDie]

At that trip I’d be surprised if Ginto will lay a glove on Hollow Games. Hopefully it doesn’t give them ideas that Hollow Games should go to the Ballymore though.

He better not do now, after I cashed my bets out, taking into account the many opinions on here about him

[Lobos]

I’m sticking with the AB only as I have others ahead of him for the Ballymore. I think Hollow Games could get pulled anyway if the ground is too good.

ATM I have no one in front of anyone with regards to the Novice Hurdlers and Chasers. Just haven't seen enough of them. Anybody's game at this stage. I'd say Gord currently has the upper hand though with Mullins holding his back for some time yet.

[Madmoose]

You may have noticed that Journey With Me was scratched from an intended hurdles debut last weekend at Punchestown and he also received a 5-day entry for the 2m4f maiden hurdle on this card: due to the prevailing fast ground he again remains at home. For a horse like him who one would hope can build into a proper candidate for the Albert Bartlett, not alone is the lack of rain an issue(safest to make a hurdles debut on soft ground), there is a double whammy due to the current lack of opportunities in Ireland for novice hurdlers of his ilk. Between today(19th November) and 11th of December there is only one maiden hurdle due to be staged in Ireland beyond the 2m4f distance…a 2m5f affair next Tuesday at Punchestown, which in itself is part of the Redmills Auction series and the bulk of the classier types like Journey With Me are not qualified to run in. One can therefore play a waiting game and sit tight until mid-December or decide to run over 2m4f or shorter: the choices in this category are also limited in the next 3 to 4 weeks, with Clonmel(2m3f amateur riders on December 2nd) or Navan 2m4f on December 4th the two available options, and in the case of both tracks, they are currently providing good(to fast) conditions. Therefore, it is feasible that you will see none of the top Irish players in the staying novice hurdle division appearing in action until at least the middle of December and several will be put on hold until the Christmas festivals

[Madmoose]

Declan Phelan, racing advisor for Robcor

[Lobos]

Thanks Madmoose. We also have to assume some of the winter fixtures are likely to be abandoned due to Frost/snow. Its going to be really tough for both Henry and particularly Willie getting runs into their Novices and it's sure to mess things up re their Spring targets especially Cheltenham. It might mean several missing Cheltenham altogether as they won't be ready and potentially waiting for Punchestown or even 2023 to fulfil their Novice campaigns. If they do get to the Fez then we could see a fair few fall short due to inexperience imo. Gordon and a few of the English trainers may well end up benefiting from this dry spell as theyve been lucky in getting early runs into theirs. Tough times for us punters I fear.