2024 Novice Hurdlers

[Guinness Village]

For me at least , which isn’t a great measure

[CJW]

Who can make the best guess of the field of the future champions novice hurdle?

I think maybe, Caldwell potter, its for me, daddy long legs and farren glory all show up?

[Brooksie]

Who can make the best guess of the field of the future champions novice hurdle?

I think maybe, Caldwell potter, its for me, daddy long legs and farren glory all show up?

I don't think Caldwell Potter will turn up for it. They'll be looking after him this season by sounds of it.

Gordon

“He was a weak horse but he’s got a lot stronger,” Elliott said of the 8-13 favourite.

“We’ll try and keep it small with him if we can. He’s a chaser in the making, he’s a brother to Mighty Potter.”

[CJW]

Ah ok, thought he might of gone the same way as mighty potter, how about any others? Trying to gauge the field. Think after Paul mentioned the grade 1 at Christmas, daddy long legs will be there for sure.

[AnFiieLD.]

I'd imagine Gordo will run either Firefox or Down Memory Lane in addition to farren glory given he's chasing the trainers title

[Lobos]

Slade Steel...

"I'm delighted as it was tough work out there. We'd always hoped he'd be a better horse on nicer ground and he'd definitely have a preference for it, so it's great to see him get through that and get the job done.
"Rachael [Blackmore] was happy and said he idled a little bit in front. He's progressing which is lovely. I don't think he needs to go up to an extreme distance, he's got plenty of gears and won a bumper well.

"There is the Dublin Racing Festival, although you might have to drop back or go up further there."

[Exar Essay]

I'd imagine Gordo will run either Firefox or Down Memory Lane in addition to farren glory given he's chasing the trainers title

Didn’t he say Farren Glory was likely to go over to the UK for his next run?

[AnFiieLD.]

I hadn't seen any comms, was just assuming after the RB run so you may well be right!

[Exar Essay]

I hadn't seen any comms, was just assuming after the RB run so you may well be right!

“I’m not sure where he will go next. Leopardstown might not be the track for him on quick ground and I wouldn’t be shocked if we brought him to England for the Tolworth (now the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree) or the Challow.”

Immediately after the Royal Bond.

[Quevega]

Slade steel is not close to being good enough for the festival grade ones IMO
Why do people think differently ?

[CJW]

Farren glory potentially v willmount then.

[CJW]

Slade steel is not close to being good enough for the festival grade ones IMO
Why do people think differently ?

I've been of the opinion Firefox would win lto and slade steel too, both nice prices before before being cut everywhere but I still didn't back them for festival races.

Very good horses, and not saying they wont win but I know what you mean Q as I've not put my money down.

I don't really understand it myself lol

[Quevega]

I've been of the opinion Firefox would win lto and slade steel too, both nice prices before before being cut everywhere but I still didn't back them for festival races.

Very good horses, and not saying they wont win but I know what you mean Q as I've not put my money down.

I don't really understand it myself lol

Neither have I
I can see Firefox a little more as the balyburn form might turn out to be decent.
And I wouldn’t say either can’t win a big one.
They just don’t slap you in the face. Especially slade steel who looks above average but not exceptional.

[darlojim]

Neither have I
I can see Firefox a little more as the balyburn form might turn out to be decent.
And I wouldn’t say either can’t win a big one.
They just don’t slap you in the face. Especially slade steel who looks above average but not exceptional.

Slade Steel had almost everything go in his favour yesterday, they went a very steady pace and it turned into a sprint, him being the quicker horse against three 3milers and he still didn't pull away as he should have. I wasn't on prior to yesterday and werent tempted 1 bit as they crossed the line. I think he'll be well found out against the top mid distance horses, such as Firefox and whatever willie has.

[Lobos]

Slade steel is not close to being good enough for the festival grade ones IMO
Why do people think differently ?

I've watched the race back again and Rachel rode him like he was a very decent horse at home. Clearly connections rate him but he had to prove it on the track. He travels great and jumps straight and well and has the pace to put him anywhere she wants in the race and clearly has stamina. IMO it was a strong race , the deepest Novice Hurdle we've seen so far. The 2nd and particularly the 3rd both had decent back form and Gordon's 2nd string was no pushover. Gordon's horses are right on it ATM with everything winning so it was always going to be tough to beat them. Slade Steel was produced perfectly by Rachel and he jumped the last well and put daylight between him and the 2nd before staying on and winning a touch cosily. All this was despite the ground. For me he'll be so much better on Spring ground. He has everything you want in a Ballymore horse and can improve again on what he did yesterday.