2024 Novice Hurdlers

[That Horse]

Can confirm.

Also gidleigh park same race

I like both for the AB, don't know how to feel about that now

[SeanRock]

I like both for the AB, don't know how to feel about that now

Seagull gets the odd one right I remember thinking the same when he tipped up City Island for the Ballymore. Throw enough shite etc. I suppose!

[Frankely My Dear]

Gidleigh Park likely to go AB over the Baring?

[AaronLad]

Gidleigh Park likely to go AB over the Baring?

You'd have to think that it's a possibility.
His win on trials day came on the new course, and he certainly didn't look like he was stopping.

I'm sure there are still unknown factors, like the going and opposition (ballyburn potentially in the bb) that will influence the decision.

One thing is for sure, Harry fry will make the correct decision and whichever race he turns up in, he'll win.

[Frankely My Dear]

Fair shout, I'll go back over his races and data as I hadn't thought of the AB as an option. The potato race is proving to be a minefield (I know it's never straightforward) with a few duplicates from the BB in there

[Benjy23]

Gidleigh Park is just one of those over hyped early season horses isn't he. Who looks decent winning crap races in England. Disappointed in myself for getting drawn in there.

Only got him in the Ballymore but I imagine they'll run in the Bartlett anyway.

[AaronLad]

Gidleigh Park is just one of those over hyped early season horses isn't he. Who looks decent winning crap races in England. Disappointed in myself for getting drawn in there.

Only got him in the Ballymore but I imagine they'll run in the Bartlett anyway.

Is he though?
still unbeaten.
His form, however crap you think it is does have some substance to it.
The horse he beat lto is no mug, the mare who beat him previously receiving lumps of weight has since won in a canter.
The horse he comfortably beat in his sole bumper run came within a few lengths of a grade 1.
it's not like the horses he's beaten are coming out and running total shockers, east india express battered at Newbury ran a decent race next time.
Fire flyer has won twice since finishing 2nd at Newbury.

You're entitled to your opinion but I think it's a little bit premature

[Benjy23]

I mean I hope you're right because I've backed him But I just don't really see it. The form is average at best. You've tried to dress it up but he's scraped home against a horse beaten in a class 4 at Taunton. He won easy first couple of starts and I know there's one of two maiden winners in behind but they're very lowly rated sorts. He's mid 130s RPR and progression seemed to stall. I just don't really see him being G1 festival standard and think it takes a pretty big leap.

A bit like Jeriko where I also bought into the hype, only he's at least with the right connections for the race so I can forgive myself there easier...

[AaronLad]

There was plenty that went wrong for him in the last race, he was keen enough, he wouldn't have enjoyed making the running, jockey got caught out at a crucial stage, yet despite all of this he got back up on the run in to win. That experience will have done him no harm at all.
Theres plenty of holes to be picked in the irish novice form too.
Until Cheltenham we wont know how good he is, and I'm very much looking forward to it.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I mean I hope you're right because I've backed him But I just don't really see it. The form is average at best. You've tried to dress it up but he's scraped home against a horse beaten in a class 4 at Taunton. He won easy first couple of starts and I know there's one of two maiden winners in behind but they're very lowly rated sorts. He's mid 130s RPR and progression seemed to stall. I just don't really see him being G1 festival standard and think it takes a pretty big leap.

A bit like Jeriko where I also bought into the hype, only he's at least with the right connections for the race so I can forgive myself there easier...

It’s possible a lot of the form we’ve seen is average, not sure I’ve seen a stand out anyway.
AB looks wide open and at the moment either the Supreme or BB does as well, depending on where Ballyburn goes.
Ive got GP backed for BB and no way have I given up
on him even if the fav does turn up.
I will have him on side if he steps up to the AB, and I think he will.
Jeriko is currently 3rd fav may be 2nd fav or even fav on the day, and trained by a master who will have him spot on produce his peak season performance.

[Quevega]

It’s possible a lot of the form we’ve seen is average, not sure I’ve seen a stand out anyway.
AB looks wide open and at the moment either the Supreme or BB does as well, depending on where Ballyburn goes.
Ive got GP backed for BB and no way have I given up
on him even if the fav does turn up.
I will have him on side if he steps up to the AB, and I think he will.
Jeriko is currently 3rd fav may be 2nd fav or even fav on the day, and trained by a master who will have him spot on produce his peak season performance.

I think the UK horse's may have a chance in the Bartlett, but as regards the supreme and ballymore, they've got next to no chance IMO, and I've backed Jeriko and Gidleigh.
They look exposed as not good enough IMO.
It's a big clutch to suggest otherwise.

I think the Bartlett is a different test and nothing from Ireland looks particularly classy, so I'd give Gidleigh and Captain Teague a shout and to a lesser extent the Henderson horse Shanagh Bob.
But if Tommy runs here then I'd expect he'd be the class horse in the race.
But I think they may run in the other race.

[AaronLad]

I think the UK horse's may have a chance in the Bartlett, but as regards the supreme and ballymore, they've got next to no chance IMO, and I've backed Jeriko and Gidleigh.
They look exposed as not good enough IMO.
It's a big clutch to suggest otherwise.

I think the Bartlett is a different test and nothing from Ireland looks particularly classy, so I'd give Gidleigh and Captain Teague a shout and to a lesser extent the Henderson horse Shanagh Bob.
But if Tommy runs here then I'd expect he'd be the class horse in the race.
But I think they may run in the other race.

Both are unbeaten but they look exposed as not good enough?
Because they have actually had a race? And havent pissed in on last performance? Or because they're trained in Britain?
I suspect ile atlantique in your opinion is unexposed with plenty of scope for improvement.
and readin tommy wrong who hasnt won by much more than a rizla paper on his last 2 runs is class

[Quevega]

Both are unbeaten but they look exposed as not good enough?
Because they have actually had a race? And havent pissed in on last performance? Or because they're trained in Britain?
I suspect ile atlantique in your opinion is unexposed with plenty of scope for improvement.
and readin tommy wrong who hasnt won by much more than a rizla paper on his last 2 runs is class

He'd be the classiest in the bartlett, having won a grade one in Ireland over 2m 4f, absolutely.
Maybe Captain Teague would be the best of our lot.

You surely don't need the ratings to see they are at least 10lb short of the top Irish lot in the 2 classy races, do you ?

Obviously all younger horses can improve but I've personally seen enough in their three runs - to not expect much from those 2 horses.

Like I said, I've backed them both, but at much bigger prices or have laid for no cost. So I'll be leaving them to run but any thought of them paying off would be against my better judgement.

It has happened before though Many, many times, and will do again. I'm certain on that.

[Quevega]

To add to the above. I think with the UK hurdlers generally being below the level of the Irish (Mullins in particular) for whatever reason. You kind of need to see the potential for them to improve and both Gidleigh and Jeriko have not shown that, specifically in their last runs. There may be excuses for that but they just looked short of what is needed IMO.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I think the UK horse's may have a chance in the Bartlett, but as regards the supreme and ballymore, they've got next to no chance IMO, and I've backed Jeriko and Gidleigh.
They look exposed as not good enough IMO.
It's a big clutch to suggest otherwise.

I think the Bartlett is a different test and nothing from Ireland looks particularly classy, so I'd give Gidleigh and Captain Teague a shout and to a lesser extent the Henderson horse Shanagh Bob.
But if Tommy runs here then I'd expect he'd be the class horse in the race.
But I think they may run in the other race.

What I found interesting was Hendo saying after his 2nd run….. if Jeriko doesn’t have another run he won’t go to the festival. I was not happy having him at nice odds !!
He then ran and visually was not impressive, but he won and now no mention of not running, tells me Jeriko really needed that run and I have belief he will run his race and more importantly his trainer is happy now to run him.
I don’t think he would be running if connections weren’t confident of a big run.