2023 Novice Hurdlers

[Quevega]

You're going to have to help me on the IET as much excuse for his defeat part?

The rest I agree with the theory behind. IET has clearly won the better race like, and has the G1 hurdles form in the book. Although FV's champion bumper obviously still entitles him to a great deal of respect, even if a different game. I wasn't really making a case for either tbh, as my point of was it's almost impossible to do so with any confidence
Might disagree that a 'championship' gallop is necessarily a suicidal as well though.

I think the ones in behind Facile and High D went a championship gallop, the other 2 were just daft and can be ignored.
IET, was the only one who didn't appear to slow markedly in the final furlong, or so, the rest were gagging.

What I meant with their first clash, was that it's pretty clear the yard have their Favourite, and I would not be surprised if the run of IET that day was a soft one, with a view to possible handicaps later in the season.
It was also ran at a more steady gallop, allowing the front runner a soft lead and therefore being able to quicken off steady enough fractions (modus operandi for Mullins Favourites in softish races), As I'm sure you'll know, it's much harder to quicken and go past horses that are quickening themselves.
Unfortunately he got put up 7lb for that second place.

3 soft's in that lot

[HoldenTheReins]

I think the ones in behind Facile and High D went a championship gallop, the other 2 were just daft and can be ignored.
IET, was the only one who didn't appear to slow markedly in the final furlong, or so, the rest were gagging.

What I meant with their first clash, was that it's pretty clear the yard have their Favourite, and I would not be surprised if the run of IET that day was a soft one, with a view to possible handicaps later in the season.
It was also ran at a more steady gallop, allowing the front runner a soft lead and therefore being able to quicken off steady enough fractions (modus operandi for Mullins Favourites in softish races), As I'm sure you'll know, it's much harder to quicken and go past horses that are quickening themselves.
Unfortunately he got put up 7lb for that second place.

3 soft's in that lot

Obviously the fast pace helped as he's been too keen in his races, especially the Triumph last year.

[Eggs]

….Mullins press day;

https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/willie-mullins-cheltenham-stable-tour-what-we-learned/207186

[Folski]

Does that Gaelic Warrior race not look overly hot? I mean it's not like he beat a load of novices with graded place form. He beat highly exposed horses and the place horses were big prices.

[Istabraq]

Does that Gaelic Warrior race not look overly hot? I mean it's not like he beat a load of novices with graded place form. He beat highly exposed horses and the place horses were big prices.

Absolutely, a very weak 59k race.
But, he went that route because it would mean an easier route to Cheltenham.
I think Mullins reaction to Townend’s Lossiemouth ride confirms how paranoid he is about his horses having a hard race before Cheltenham…

[Outlaw]

Absolutely, a very weak 59k race.
But, he went that route because it would mean an easier route to Cheltenham.
I think Mullins reaction to Townend’s Lossiemouth ride confirms how paranoid he is about his horses having a hard race before Cheltenham…

First Hendo now Mullins, were basically ending up like Boxing and are lucky to get one or two decent novice races a year from novice hurdling to novice chasing before entering the big time amongst open company after a dozen Doss ups aren't we.

[Istabraq]

First Hendo now Mullins, were basically ending up like Boxing and are lucky to get one or two decent novice races a year from novice hurdling to novice chasing before entering the big time amongst open company after a dozen Doss ups aren't we.

Someone touched on it earlier but perhaps we should be grateful Irish trainers still hold Cheltenham in such high regard, if we get to the point where their season is geared around the Christmas festivals, DRF then Fairyhouse/Punchestown what would that mean for the future of Cheltenham ?
Of course it’ll never happen….

[Outlaw]

Someone touched on it earlier but perhaps we should be grateful Irish trainers still hold Cheltenham in such high regard, if we get to the point where their season is geared around the Christmas festivals, DRF then Fairyhouse/Punchestown what would that mean for the future of Cheltenham ?
Of course it’ll never happen….

It would mean the current crop of English trainers would be over the moon for the short term being able to win plenty again... then dawn on them there's no demand all of a sudden and the sport is in the pan(more so). On a hypothetical note I genuinely don't care where the big meetings are at so long as we get top notch racing, If Chelt had a catastrophic accident and they moved it elsewhere the nostalgia would go clearly but they'd have to offer far bigger pots this side of the water than they do as the DRF is bang up there money wise bar the feature(ICG/ICH) races in comparison.

[Middle_Of_March]

Willie having a media day today. Quoted as saying, at this stage, his preferred target for DRF winner Gaelic Warrior is the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Supreme remains an option but Ballymore could suit best.

Go on the good thing..

[Eggs]

Surprised given the knowledge of some on here with PTP that not been much mention(unless I've missed it) of Johnnywho who was due out this week prior to the cold snap. Not taken the Ptp win literally(2nd not seen but also with Jonjo,3rd Hermes Allen) but this sort of horse would usually get a mention with what the 3rd has gone on to do. Anyone know much about him as minimal about him in Jonjo stable tour.

….mentioned in todays stable tour (in stable tour thread), suggests he’ll run in a bumper this spring.

[Exar Essay]

Absolute Notions handicap bound and Cool Survivor Bartlett or Pipe bound according to Elliot. Three Card Brag confirmed for Bartlett which is great news.

[Quevega]

“Three Card Brag will probably go for the Albert Bartlett along with Favori De Champdou. Cool Survivor ran well the other day and he’ll probably go for the Martin Pipe or he could go for the Albert Bartlett as well.

“Absolute Notions might not be badly handicapped and he can probably go for a handicap more so than a Grade One.


Actual comments above.
The might is important as the UK mark is unknown.

[Craigy14]

More happy to see he’s confirmed Favori De Champdou for the spud. Rebacked with Lads boosted 15/1.

[JackieMoon33]

“Three Card Brag will probably go for the Albert Bartlett along with Favori De Champdou. Cool Survivor ran well the other day and he’ll probably go for the Martin Pipe or he could go for the Albert Bartlett as well.

“Absolute Notions might not be badly handicapped and he can probably go for a handicap more so than a Grade One.


Actual comments above.
The might is important as the UK mark is unknown.

Where would the fourth run come for AN? I’d agree he’d be on a lovely mark but he’s just had a hard race and not long to fit in another run.

[Quevega]

Where would the fourth run come for AN? I’d agree he’d be on a lovely mark but he’s just had a hard race and not long to fit in another run.

Don't know, obviously just relaying the article.
Journalist should have picked him up on it.
Won't be backing him at the moment myself.