2023 Novice Hurdlers

[Exar Essay]

I’m going to agree with you now. I think people put too much stock into the colours. Yes it’s likely he’ll run in the Ballymore due to ownership but that does not guarantee he’ll be good enough. The Champion Bumper is also not always the best form guide for the following seasons novices hurdles at the festival either.

This seems to have changed in the last few years though.

Of the top 4 in the last 3 editions (save last year of course), 8 of the 12 have competed in Novice Hurdles the following year at the festival. Only Thyme Hill didn’t place. And we all know that wasn’t a bad effort 4th.

I think the Champion Bumper is becoming a very important indicator for novice hurdle form the following year.

[Lbur4288]

Been doing antepost "properly" since the end of the 2019 festival (Envoi Allen in the following Ballymore I went way overboard on and thankfully it came off). I don't know if it's a recency thing but I usually end up having bumper runners enter my scattergun book. I've been a racing/festival fan for some time longer and whilst not previously as OTT looking into it, I still do see a shift in the bumper horses over the last few years. Owners want big winners out of habit and these days the best ones are sending them all to the big Irish trainers to try and do so - no doubt this packs out plans for trainers so the logical decision will be to keep a set amount back in bumpers or just given a year to fill out.

[ComplyOrDie]

I think people put too much stock into the colours.

I agree. I actually ended up with a free bet on him because some mentioned he's going to be aimed at the race. Disgusted in myself

Just because he's going to run in the race doesn't mean he's a winner in waiting. I guess from building a book perspective it makes sense, 'just in case' the main principles don't make it, but those not building a book he would already be 5th or 6th in my list and that's without some being included that I'm waiting on stable tours for.

Breeding holds more stock for me, and I can't be having a Shantou with one Bumper win to his name as a viable option for the Ballymore, at this stage.

[Lbur4288]

Keep an eye on Encanto Bruno in the last at Cheltenham today. Favourable mentions in One Jump Ahead and touted as a possible Bartlett bound horse.

[JackieMoon33]

Keep an eye on Encanto Bruno in the last at Cheltenham today. Favourable mentions in One Jump Ahead and touted as a possible Bartlett bound horse.

It’s a good little race so if he wins then he could be decent.

[Lbur4288]

It’s a good little race so if he wins then he could be decent.

I've taken the 100/1 bait to win today and the Bartlett.

[Winging The Last]

Keep an eye on Encanto Bruno in the last at Cheltenham today. Favourable mentions in One Jump Ahead and touted as a possible Bartlett bound horse.

40/1 to win today and A/R
100/1 to win today and AB

With Sky

[isitmarchyet]

I backed Encanto Bruno for the Bartlett just after the race with Hills, but I was just listening to the John McConnell interview with Champ tv and he said if he won the bumper today he might stay in bumpers this season. Nothing set in stone, but worth keeping in mind.

https://youtu.be/WNTZYyipiHs

(25:20 to hear him talk about Bruno...)

[That Horse]

I backed Encanto Bruno for the Bartlett just after the race with Hills, but I was just listening to the John McConnell interview with Champ tv and he said if he won the bumper today he might stay in bumpers this season. Nothing set in stone, but worth keeping in mind.

https://youtu.be/WNTZYyipiHs

(25:20 to hear him talk about Bruno...)

Yep, he said pretty much the same thing after the race.

Horse is a baby, spooked at screen going out and coming back in today. Only a 4yo so probably leave him in bumpers and give him a holiday and come back in the spring for a nice race. Will be a nice jumper in time.

[JackieMoon33]

John McConnell on ENCANTO BRUNO:

“We’ll probably have to come to the Champion Bumper, he could go to Punchestown or Aintree, but he has that valuable course form and it is worth a crack – he really is something and I won’t sleep for the next six months thinking about him.”

[isitmarchyet]

Safe to say I'll be putting that one in the loss column

[Guinness Village]

Blue for FV for ballymore and blue for redemption day for supreme. Not sure if significant, but with Mullins stable tour…. Maybe

[Zachx02]

Not sure if anything has gotten to the bookies ahead of the stable tour, but PP/BF have shortened redemption day for the supreme and facile vega for the ballymore today at the exact same time going off oddschecker

[Run4Home]

Blue for FV for ballymore and blue for redemption day for supreme. Not sure if significant, but with Mullins stable tour…. Maybe

Facile stepping up is what Willie is thinking.

[Lobos]

Facile stepping up is what Willie is thinking.

Keep them coming R4H.

Sir Gerhard??