2022 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

[Our_Duke]

Lawlors 2.4m??? Bob Olinger won last year......maybe not such a stupid statement after all.

Don't think anyone said it was a stupid statement, just wouldn't be a horse I'd be interested in over the Ballymore trip. There were quite poor horses travelling all over him 2 out - when he comes up against the best over 2m4f, I don't see him just repelling them all. Also, Death Duty also won the Lawlors and went Albert Bartlett, so not like he doesn't use that route.

[Ray]

Don't think anyone said it was a stupid statement, just wouldn't be a horse I'd be interested in over the Ballymore trip. There were quite poor horses travelling all over him 2 out - when he comes up against the best over 2m4f, I don't see him just repelling them all. Also, Death Duty also won the Lawlors and went Albert Bartlett, so not like he doesn't use that route.

Id say hell go lawlors and see what the horse is capable of wether hell stick to 2 and a half or go up in trip again, hes also said gerri colombe may run in the lawlors?

[doctorwu]

Gordon says he goes to Naas for the Grade 1 next. (which race is he referring to?! The Lawlors?)

Yes. Named after the hotel.

[doctorwu]

And at 33s crazy not to cover imo...but think he is tailor made for the AB

RB,
I hope you're right.

[Our_Duke]

Id say hell go lawlors and see what the horse is capable of wether hell stick to 2 and a half or go up in trip again, hes also said gerri colombe may run in the lawlors?

Yeah quite possible. Elliott has quite a bit of sorting to do with his Novice hurdlers so maybe he'll just test them and see who can do what over each trip. I'd be worried about him being caught out though. It was a slowly run race on good ground today so I do take that into consideration but it wasn't a good race today and he looked in trouble for a moment (it was what he did after that which impressed me so I really hope they go AB as think we'll see him at his best then)

[Our_Duke]

RB,
I hope you're right.

Yep can see why you'd cover him with cashout, if he wins the Lawlors (even if he grinds it out) he'll be cut dramatically. Elliott has specifically mentioned the AB for him and usually sticks to plans, but could change his mind if he won the Lawlors convincingly.

[doctorwu]

Don't think anyone said it was a stupid statement, just wouldn't be a horse I'd be interested in over the Ballymore trip. There were quite poor horses travelling all over him 2 out - when he comes up against the best over 2m4f, I don't see him just repelling them all. Also, Death Duty also won the Lawlors and went Albert Bartlett, so not like he doesn't use that route.

Point taken. Lawlors of Naas is generally seen as a Ballymore trial.

The race is often contested by horses who go on to compete at the Cheltenham Festival - in particular the two-and-a-half mile novice hurdle event known at the Ballymore (prev. Neptune Investment).

[Our_Duke]

Point taken. Lawlors of Naas is generally seen as a Ballymore trial.

The race is often contested by horses who go on to compete at the Cheltenham Festival - in particular the two-and-a-half mile novice hurdle event known at the Ballymore (prev. Neptune Investment).

Yeah definitely leaves me slightly worried that they could be swayed if he won in style in the Lawlors. I think anything other than a stylish win probably leaves him odds on to still come here. I don't think he'd disgrace himself in the ballymore, but think there'd be a couple too quick. I see him as the most likely winner of the Bartlett.

[darlojim]

Surely people 'in the know' would be absolutely hammering the 33/1 standout for the ballymore if that was the case? The Elliott yard look a gamble.

[Quevega]

It'd need to be heavy in March and the race looking weaker for them to even consider it I reckon.
Gordon might not want to run at Limerick over 3 again at xmas, after what happened with farouk last year.
and the lawlors is perfectly placed if you don't want to run in dublin and go straight to cheltenham.

[Big Bucks]

RTE Gordy, likely AB? Answered yeah probably but he wasn't as slow as I thought he was, Davy said to me.

[That Horse]

Gordon - probably AB but thinks horse has more speed than has been shown so far.

Davy - the horse is versatile distance wise
Noel Moran - probably AB

What else would Gordon have to come here, Ginto?

[Exar Essay]

Morans already confirmed only one horse will go AB.

I could see Gerri Colombe here too. JWM hopefully coming here too but not sure how it works with horses for the same owners but with different trainers.

[jrjr]

I know the winner of the Bartlett doesn't often feature in the early season favs but if you were designing a prototype winner then, at this stage, Hollow Games would almost be it.

Apears to be an uncomplicated ride, settles well, gallops strongly, jumps well (and at pace), plus showed a bit of grit (and acceleration) when challenged today.

Coupled with this he is under the stewardship of a top trainer and has already had a couple of early season, and markedly different, types of racing experience.

Thanks to Saxon for the heads up before his debut at Down Royal!.

[Istabraq]

I know the winner of the Bartlett doesn't often feature in the early season favs .

Was thinking exactly the same earlier, I can't think of a single winner of the race that would have been clear on the radar at this stage of the season...