2022 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

[JackieMoon33]

Now I know this may be unpopular but with Gerri Colombe's declaration over Christmas finally happening and it being over 2 1/2 miles I think there is a big chance he could be aimed here now.

On that card at Down Royal there is a 2m and a 2 1/2m novice, surely (and usually the MO is that) a Ballymore horse would normally start off over 2m and work his way up, whereas a AB horse would normally start at 2 1/2 miles. If they were thinking the Ballymore they would have surely and at least given him and entry in the 2m but they haven't.

Also with Robcour looking like they are stepping Grand Jury up in trip with no dec over 2m and an entry in the Lawlors looking the likely destination, he looks like he is doing the Ballymore

So to cover GC for this race I have backed him at 40/1 with 365 which is very generous (50/1 elsewhere). And I wouldn't be surprised now that if he does go Cheltenham he may go in as a pair with JWM in the Albert Bartlett

Definite possibility. I have Gerri in the Ballymore and Hollow Games for the AB and my big fear is that they’re now the wrong way round. I still wouldn’t back Hollow Games for the Ballymore but I’d certainly consider Gerri for the AB if that’s the route he’s heading.

[Atlantic Viking]

Now I know this may be unpopular but with Gerri Colombe's declaration over Christmas finally happening and it being over 2 1/2 miles I think there is a big chance he could be aimed here now.

On that card at Down Royal there is a 2m and a 2 1/2m novice, surely (and usually the MO is that) a Ballymore horse would normally start off over 2m and work his way up, whereas a AB horse would normally start at 2 1/2 miles. If they were thinking the Ballymore they would have surely and at least given him and entry in the 2m but they haven't.

Possibly, but they're starting later this year and Bob had been out over 2m 4f by now. Envoi Allen first stepped up in very early Jan of his Ballymore win and Samcro had in November. It's not unusual as some Welsh bloke once said.

[Lobos]

All up in the air with these Novice Hurdlers. Complete guesswork ATM . Back them for a couple of races and then just sit back, light the cigar and let it all unfold. Less stress for you that way

[Magpie]

Definitely agree with you Lobos, can sometimes over think things, in the end sometimes we won’t know till the race is run

[Madmoose]

With Ginto not running at Limerick i can only hope he shows more gears at Naas ahead of Hollow Games for them to send HG to the Albert Bartlett.

or even better Dysart Dynamo to beat the pair of them should he run in Lawlors.

[Lobos]

Definitely agree with you Lobos, can sometimes over think things, in the end sometimes we won’t know till the race is run

Absolutely. They can make real fools of their trainers. Just look at Appreciate It last season. Ballymore/Albert horse..........ends up winning the Supreme by a distance. Or Flintre Sacre, burning everything off on the gallops.........ends up being a dud. Until they are in a proper race at the track no one really knows and pre season plans/targets can be blown apart. That's what I love about the sport......so unpredictable and everyone has a chance.

[FinalFurlong91]

With Ginto not running at Limerick i can only hope he shows more gears at Naas ahead of Hollow Games for them to send HG to the Albert Bartlett.

or even better Dysart Dynamo to beat the pair of them should he run in Lawlors.

Wonder if kilcruit will line up too since he's not running in the grade 1 at leopardstown

Id wager Dysart dynamo will have plhnty more pace than those two elliot horses, its just whether he's experienced enough

[Winging The Last]

Just seen that Ginto is entered in the Challow with Gringo D’Aubrelle for the Morans

[Winging The Last]

O'Toole still unchanged with 365 at 33/1 after the race. Looks like a right stayer to me

[HoldenTheReins]

O'Toole still unchanged with 365 at 33/1 after the race. Looks like a right stayer to me

Won over 2m1f today, you reckon he'll step up that much?

[Winging The Last]

Won over 2m1f today, you reckon he'll step up that much?

It was a under 30k Auction Sales races so was an easy race to start him off in. Crawford has always said he was an out and out stayer and he has always looked it

[qzy]

Stuart Crawford - O'Toole
@downroyal
: "He's in a handful of the most exciting horses certainly in Ireland this winter. He's a proper Gold Cup type of horse I hope. He's big staying chaser. He's not a slow horse and he will furnish more for another summer. Improving all the time."

[Kevloaf]

A nice boost for Ginto with Eric Bloodaxe winning nicely there...?

[JackieMoon33]

A nice boost for Ginto with Eric Bloodaxe winning nicely there...?

Indeed. I have a feeling Ginto is going to screw up my Hollow Games bets.

[Magpie]

Indeed. I have a feeling Ginto is going to screw up my Hollow Games bets.

Same here. Joys of AP betting