2022 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

[Can't Catch Me]

Looking at the Robcour horses, my view of their best chances would be GJ and JWM to the Ballymore and Gerri Colombe to the AB. The latter looks the most thorough stayer of the three.

[Craigy14]

I can understand why people are surprised at Grand Jury going for the AB, but I can't understand why everyone is surprised about Journey With Me going for the Ballymore.

Obviously his flat run was a poor race, but I thought he travelled very powerfully and was actually quite keen. He definitely wanted to go faster. He was also keen enough at Leop and doesn't travel like you'd want an AB horse to for me. Essentially, he out speeded Minella Crooner at Leop and in another couple of furlongs that horse would have beaten him.

Personally, Id be more worried about him getting the AB trip against hardened stayers, than I would be about him having the speed required for a Ballymore.

The flip side of that though is the time of the race wasn’t great imo. He was 3 seconds slower than the winner of the handicap hurdle, winner rated 120, granted carrying 10lbs more than him. Was also 6 seconds slower than the Grade 3 mares race, again carrying 10lbs more though.

I get comparing times from different days can be pointless but Bob was 32 seconds quicker than Journey With Me’s flat race. Now JWM’s was described as heavy and Bob soft/heavy so even taking that into account it’s still miles slower.

[ToniC]

The flip side of that though is the time of the race wasn’t great imo. He was 3 seconds slower than the winner of the handicap hurdle, winner rated 120, granted carrying 10lbs more than him. Was also 6 seconds slower than the Grade 3 mares race, again carrying 10lbs more though.

I get comparing times from different days can be pointless but Bob was 32 seconds quicker than Journey With Me’s flat race. Now JWM’s was described as heavy and Bob soft/heavy so even taking that into account it’s still miles slower.

To be fair, it was borderline untraceable the day of JWMs bumper. Everything else was totally fucked. Hearing Henry say that he thinks GJ will relish the Bartlett trip makes me question everything I know about racing, and I can only assume the ‘switch’ is being led by JWM, and that grand jury is slotting in around him.

despite coming 2nd to Ginto in a grade 1, grand jury is 11/2 joint-4th in the betting for tomorrow, which tells me that if I am getting it totally wrong with him, at least I’m not alone

[Craigy14]

To be fair, it was borderline untraceable the day of JWMs bumper. Everything else was totally fucked. Hearing Henry say that he thinks GJ will relish the Bartlett trip makes me question everything I know about racing, and I can only assume the ‘switch’ is being led by JWM, and that grand jury is slotting in around him.

despite coming 2nd to Ginto in a grade 1, grand jury is 11/2 joint-4th in the betting for tomorrow, which tells me that if I am getting it totally wrong with him, at least I’m not alone

Yeah I completely agree, it almost backs up what I’m saying in the view that he’s surely a galloping stayer to be able to bound through that ground without coming off the bridle.

I suppose I can give him Naas as the benefit of doubt but as said previously he may not even face anything of the standard he raced on debut so we may not see his change of gear that’s been hiding.

He hardly pulled away from Kilcruit with the change of pace after the last, I’d say it was more tired than not needing further. The yard weren’t in great from either and he had been entered and not taking up decs for ages as well.

[MadeinJapan]

I’m astonished Henry sees Grand Jury’s optimum trip at more than the mid range, watching the Lalor’s unfold I was convinced the Ballymore without Ginto making it a slog or even the Supreme would see him to best effect!

Shades of continuously sending Sizing John over an inadequate trip spring to mind! I fancy Eric Bloodaxe to make his stamina pay on Saturday.

Think you might be right here - Hills are 66s he wins tomorrow & follows up in any race at the Festival (75s if you can get boosted), I've taken it with the boost as he ticks a lot of the right boxes for the Bartlett and he grinds out a win tomorrow will go shorter than the 12s (8s NRNB) he currently is now...

[ToniC]

Think you might be right here - Hills are 66s he wins tomorrow & follows up in any race at the Festival (75s if you can get boosted), I've taken it with the boost as he ticks a lot of the right boxes for the Bartlett and he grinds out a win tomorrow will go shorter than the 12s (8s NRNB) he currently is now...

Basically nothing that’s forward in the betting from Ireland will be going into the Bartlett having run over 3 miles barring him. Very unconventional year for a lot of the novice hurdles I think. The RPR for his win in Limerick wasn’t great but I liked the run, think he’s been disrespected in the betting for this weekend too, at a meeting where JOB can be one to side with

[ToniC]

Yeah I completely agree, it almost backs up what I’m saying in the view that he’s surely a galloping stayer to be able to bound through that ground without coming off the bridle.

I suppose I can give him Naas as the benefit of doubt but as said previously he may not even face anything of the standard he raced on debut so we may not see his change of gear that’s been hiding.

He hardly pulled away from Kilcruit with the change of pace after the last, I’d say it was more tired than not needing further. The yard weren’t in great from either and he had been entered and not taking up decs for ages as well.

Yeah I don’t see the turn of foot that bob has at all. And yards thinking must be the same as they started bob over 2m unlike this lad.

something with how the yard is thinking must have changed though, as before the latest update on potential targets (golden cygnet or naas 2m3) was circulated by Dec phelan, the same person had said it would be the golden cygnet or the Minella Indo race in clonmel.

I find it puzzling and if he runs in naas, don’t think we’ll be any the wiser!!

[knockando]

Snippet on JWM from the Mark Howard February update - thought might be of interest

JOURNEY WITH ME:

One of the most exciting novice hurdlers on either side of the Irish Sea. He may not possess the raw speed or brilliance of Dysart Dynamo or Jonbon, but the six year old is a hugely talented horse capable of winning at Grade 1 level over hurdles before embarking on a chasing career next Autumn. Owned by Robcour, the former point and bumper winner didn’t make his hurdles debut until late December at Leopardstown’s prestigious Christmas fixture (Yielding/Soft).

The Mahler gelding contested a two and a half miles maiden hurdle and faced the top-class bumper performer Kilcruit (won easily next time), who had been surprisingly beaten on his first run over obstacles at Cork earlier the same month. Rachael Blackmore sent her mount to the front on the approach to the second flight and never saw another rival thereafter. With the last hurdle omitted due to the low lying sun, he stayed on strongly and had the Mullins runner in trouble soon after the homebend. A three and a half lengths victor, the runner-up (Minella Crooner) has won by eleven lengths since.

Entered in the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown (1.05) on Saturday, he will take plenty of beating if lining up. Alternatively, he could wait for a two miles three auction novice hurdle at Naas (12th February), if the ground isn’t suitable at Leopardstown this weekend. While he is at the forefront of the ante-post betting for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle in the One Jump Ahead Updates it is hoped he steps up to three miles in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in March. A relentless galloper, the further he goes, the better he looks. I suspect the underfoot conditions at Prestbury Park will determine his target.

[Rooster Booster]

I can understand why people are surprised at Grand Jury going for the AB, but I can't understand why everyone is surprised about Journey With Me going for the Ballymore.

Obviously his flat run was a poor race, but I thought he travelled very powerfully and was actually quite keen. He definitely wanted to go faster. He was also keen enough at Leop and doesn't travel like you'd want an AB horse to for me. Essentially, he out speeded Minella Crooner at Leop and in another couple of furlongs that horse would have beaten him.

Personally, Id be more worried about him getting the AB trip against hardened stayers, than I would be about him having the speed required for a Ballymore.

100% agree with this

[Rooster Booster]

Basically nothing that’s forward in the betting from Ireland will be going into the Bartlett having run over 3 miles barring him. Very unconventional year for a lot of the novice hurdles I think. The RPR for his win in Limerick wasn’t great but I liked the run, think he’s been disrespected in the betting for this weekend too, at a meeting where JOB can be one to side with

Minella Crooner is 4th favourite

[ToniC]

Minella Crooner is 4th favourite

fucking hell. Probably an indictment of how excited I am by him as a prospect for this I totally overlooked him . Do think at least having a run over the trip prior to the race has to count for something though, so he’s got that going for him!

[Lbur4288]

To my novicey eyes it looks like Ginto is being layed at double figures for the Ballymore, could be telling that he's coming here?

[Big Bucks]

To my novicey eyes it looks like Ginto is being layed at double figures for the Ballymore, could be telling that he's coming here?

Gordy giving nothing away on what a shout, Dave Orton asked coming here but Gordy responds with not nailing colours to mast, has few entries, but heading straight to Cheltenham.

[Irish Rugby]

Despite being one of the select list of horses that Gordon unleashed at the Down Royal October meeting, and then winning his grade 3, Hollow Games coming 3rd in the Lawlors of Naas, over 2m4f, has given him a bit of a status as a forgotten horse. He holds onto favoritism here, though I've seen pundits over the last 2 days, support everything else in the race, except him.

We hear a lot of Willie's having potentials in novice races, Gordon's acquisitions have put him in the same boat. Winning today and not stopping will surely put him back in the mix for the AB, not that he was ever much out of it.

[HoldenTheReins]

Grand Jury doesn't stay. Spud race being mixed up with Mullins now