2023 Ballymore Novices Hurdle

[FinalFurlong91]

He absolutely will be nowhere near 9/4 like. Happy to have a match bet with you on his SP if you're keen. Even just for fun / charity...

Hope most of this is in jest to be honest, and you don't seriously believe he's a certainty. Despite seemingly believing it last season and he was beaten.

Nothing wrong with a strong opinion

Helps to drive debate

[Many Clouds]

Well when he wins the Ballymore and is a 160 horse, surely then you’ll agree he was a good thing off 138 in a boodles. Him getting beat because he jumped like a lunatic for the first time ever was unforeseen. I’m not sure I could have possibly been able to take that into account.

Also for the reply below yours, there’s not a hope in hell he’s nearer 9/1 than 9/4. That’s insane.

Haha the good thing just doesn't exist mate, I admire the ultra confidence n all and I'm on GW for the ballymore so wouldnt mind him winning and I was on him for the Boodles but been watching racing long enough to know there is no such thing as a certainty.

And in you're own post you've explained why. Horse is apparently unbeatable, but jumps like a lunatic and doesn't win. Just one of a 100+ different things that can effect the result of a race. But that's all fairly obvious.

[SeanRock]

Townend will be on Impaire Et Passe & he will win the Ballymore! He’s got all the right tools in his box.

Once he’s within striking distance of the relentless gallopers he will show them a clean pair of hooves between the last two obstacles. His accurate jumping should keep him in in a lovely possy in the pocket!

[Many Clouds]

I love MOM. My kind of man. Latch onto one and defend it as if it's one of yours. Fair play mate.

In a way I like it too as I used to be the same before I started building a book on races, but personally I would get it wrong far too many times. Could get so head strong on one horse that I'd just convince myself they couldn't be beat. Fun when they win and you feel like gods gift, but when they get beat its heart breaking.

Now I'm the total opposite, find it hard to be confident on any so end up trying to cover everything, and even then still not convinced I will collect

[Rooster Booster]

Ok so just a thought. If Hansard wins well tomorrow then the supreme could be on the table for him. Recognising Tahmuras looks for all the world like a step up in trip wouldn’t inconvenience him , it wouldn’t be the craziest thing for owners to want to split them and for Tahmuras to go Ballymore.

Obviously this is highly unlikely particulalrly recognising PN has the favourite for the Ballymore....but the nrnb double with sky pays 860-1 and so anybody that’s thinking of playing on Hansard might consider including the double for small stakes as well just in case as it’ll either turn into a single or they’ll have a lively little bet on their hands.

[ComplyOrDie]

Townend will be on Impaire Et Passe & he will win the Ballymore! He’s got all the right tools in his box.

Once he’s within striking distance of the relentless gallopers he will show them a clean pair of hooves between the last two obstacles. His accurate jumping should keep him in in a lovely possy in the pocket!

Yep

This year reminds me a bit of the City Island/Champ season.

Champ should have gone for the Bartlett, Nicky said so after the race, Hermes Allen is your Champ this season.

Impaire Et Passe is this seasons City Island, but with more talent!

I'm not sure where Gaelic Warrior fits in though, if im being honest. His profile is vastly different to anything Willie has gone close with in the race before. He's won it with a second season French Novice before (Mikael D'Haguenet) but not one that hasn't tried the trip before. Mikael D'Haguenet won three graded race and two of which were over 2m4f before winning the Ballymore, so somewhat of a different path for GW. It's definitely the trip that keeps me guessing with GW.

Intriguing race though

[SeanRock]

Yep

This year reminds me a bit of the City Island/Champ season.

Champ should have gone for the Bartlett, Nicky said so after the race, Hermes Allen is your Champ this season.

Impaire Et Passe is this seasons City Island, but with more talent!

I'm not sure where Gaelic Warrior fits in though, if im being honest. His profile is vastly different to anything Willie has gone close with in the race before. He's won it with a second season French Novice before (Mikael D'Haguenet) but not one that hasn't tried the trip before. Mikael D'Haguenet won three graded race and two of which were over 2m4f before winning the Ballymore, so somewhat of a different path for GW. It's definitely the trip that keeps me guessing with GW.

Intriguing race though

I was a ante post backer of City Island at 50/1 COD but I think you’re doing IEP a disservice comparing the two. Impaire Et Passe has bags more class!

Edit: I just reread your post & you’ve said as much already apologies.

[FinalFurlong91]

Yep

This year reminds me a bit of the City Island/Champ season.

Champ should have gone for the Bartlett, Nicky said so after the race, Hermes Allen is your Champ this season.

Impaire Et Passe is this seasons City Island, but with more talent!

I'm not sure where Gaelic Warrior fits in though, if im being honest. His profile is vastly different to anything Willie has gone close with in the race before. He's won it with a second season French Novice before (Mikael D'Haguenet) but not one that hasn't tried the trip before. Mikael D'Haguenet won three graded race and two of which were over 2m4f before winning the Ballymore, so somewhat of a different path for GW. It's definitely the trip that keeps me guessing with GW.

Intriguing race though

Hopefully impaire et passe is on the same carrots city island was

[SeanRock]

Hopefully impaire et passe is on the same carrots city island was

I can fully understand the suspicions FF but I genuinely think Martin Brazil campaigned CI impeccably that season. His Galway win took my attention immediately but his win at Leopardstown over 2m in a good trial cemented his credentials. He was a very well campaigned one season wonder. Much like Leicester City a few years ago!

[FinalFurlong91]

I can fully understand the suspicions FF but I genuinely think Martin Brazil campaigned CI impeccably that season. His Galway win took my attention immediately but his win at Leopardstown over 2m in a good trial cemented his credentials. He was a very well campaigned one season wonder. Much like Leicester City a few years ago!

If city island had pissed in a cup after that race the cup would've melted

[Silverbirch]

Yep

This year reminds me a bit of the City Island/Champ season.

Champ should have gone for the Bartlett, Nicky said so after the race, Hermes Allen is your Champ this season.

Impaire Et Passe is this seasons City Island, but with more talent!

I'm not sure where Gaelic Warrior fits in though, if im being honest. His profile is vastly different to anything Willie has gone close with in the race before. He's won it with a second season French Novice before (Mikael D'Haguenet) but not one that hasn't tried the trip before. Mikael D'Haguenet won three graded race and two of which were over 2m4f before winning the Ballymore, so somewhat of a different path for GW. It's definitely the trip that keeps me guessing with GW.

Intriguing race though

And it's a shame none of them win

Can see Good Land making the running and flooring porter-esk just out staying them all. Would absolutely die for a GW win tho.

[Winging The Last]

David Casey's ranking in this is:

1 - IEP
2 - GW
3 - CK

[Liammet]

Just seen the list of horses on display for Gordon Elliotts press day

All the big names on there however Irish Point not on the list

Accept there could be any number of reasons for this

Anyone know if he got a mention in the talk ?

[Big Bucks]

Just seen the list of horses on display for Gordon Elliotts press day

All the big names on there however Irish Point not on the list

Accept there could be any number of reasons for this

Anyone know if he got a mention in the talk ?

Numerous quotes for a while now hinting could skip Cheltenham. So I'd say this is the final nail.

[Kevloaf]

Numerous quotes for a while now hinting could skip Cheltenham. So I'd say this is the final nail.

Yeah think you're right