2025 Novice Hurdlers

[Eggs]

….i think Lucinda Russell really likes Derryhassen Paddy;


Russell, celebrating her first winner at the track, said: “I’ve always thought he was phenomenal. I said to Craig (Nichol, jockey) go back and look at the race as the stride that he has got they can’t live with him. He is just phenomenal. I knew that he would stay and that he would keep on battling. It is funny that Dan’s horse tried to intimidate him as he is not the sort of horse you want to try and intimidate as he is a beast.

“He is an incredible horse and I was quite impressed that Dan’s horse tried to intimidate him, but I knew that he would come back and that it wouldn’t bother him. We were contemplating running him over two miles and we were contemplating loads of things. We then said we buy these horses to run at this level. It is great fun running in smaller races, but our whole thing is to run at this level and these are the horses we want to deal with."

And a step up to Grade Two company looks to be on the cards for Derryhassen Paddy with Russell earmarking the Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock Park on February 15th as his next target.

Russell added: “He is really a chaser and needs the soft ground. The ground here was great. He will probably go to Haydock Park next for the Albert Bartlett trial. I don’t know if he will go to Cheltenham or Aintree. We will look after him as it is all about when he goes chasing next season.

“He is right up there with them. I’m really pleased for Richard (Gilbert, joint owner) and I have to admit that I did buy a share in him as I love the horse so much. He is a wonderful horse.”

[Eggs]

….i should’ve put this lot in here from Mullins


I was very pleased with Salvator Mundi in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer at Punchestown on Sunday.

He pulled very hard in what was a slow-run race and wasn’t able to show off his jumping ability against race-fit and experienced horses with decent form but was still able to win.

It looked like he blew up after jumping the second last turning for home and he still had enough in reserve to put a good horse like Kel Histoire to the sword.

I’d imagine he’ll go straight to Cheltenham.

The runner-up might go for a longer race at the Festival in March, being by Masked Marvel he’ll have lots of stamina and just doesn’t have that gear the likes of Salvator Mundi have.


We missed the Christmas programme with Funicili Funicula and he’s a horse I was always looking forward to getting out.

He’s shown all the right stuff at home, and he’ll get entries for all the top novice hurdles at Cheltenham. He looks quite a speedy type, but I’ll talk to Paul more about that and he’s certainly one that will give his owner lots of good days in the future.


Kiss Will looks a real nice type for the H.O.S Syndicate. He seemed to dominate his race the whole way, travelled well and asserted early in the straight. He gave us a bit of a scare at the last when horse and jockey had a bit of a miscommunication, but he was sure of himself. Like a lot of French horses, you leave it to them and they take care of it.

He’s another who will have entries in the novice races at Cheltenham. I’m not sure we’ll get another run into him before then but I’m not sure he needs one either. With his experience he’ll be fine.

Kappa Jy Pyke did it nicely at Punchestown albeit he was a little lucky with Don’tstopthemusic falling at the last, but our fellow was running a very nice race and looks to be improving. He’s by a nice sire in Masked Marvel and is sure to improve again.

[TigerRolllllll]

Thx Eggs

I think we can put quite a few of the pieces together already for the Supreme & Turners....and actually over-rounds not too bad on front of market with maybe not too much to come in


Paul T rides...

Sup - Mundi
Turn - Kopek or Final Demand

JP Horses...

Sup - Kaid or New Lion
Turn - Key H & Kaid or New Lion

tbc if fit ? Kawaboomga

Other Willie...

Sup - Fini, Pyke? Kiss?
Turn - Pyke? Kiss?

Gordon...

Sup - Romeo
Turn - Yellow

Henry...

Sup - Work
Turn - Koktail ?

Dan...

Sup - Royal
Turn - Lion

Few other more long-shots to run that could be added, but think we can start to frame the markets and take value where poss. Also good time for some doubles across races

[Kevloaf]

Ruby saying that Kiss Will will improve for stepping up in trip.

Think he means this season?

Could be one of them staying types that run in a Supreme and end up over further down the line?


I'd put my money on him running in the Supreme quite strongly ...... which is why I'll probably go and take some 20/1 NRNB on very slim chance I'm wrong

[Muswell]

Listening to RTC today rarely heard Ruby as keen on one as he seems to be on Kopek

[Exar Essay]

Think he means this season?

Could be one of them staying types that run in a Supreme and end up over further down the line?


I'd put my money on him running in the Supreme quite strongly ...... which is why I'll probably go and take some 20/1 NRNB on very slim chance I'm wrong

I’m not sure what he meant but my impression of his run was the same as yours. Looks a robust horse who travels strongly and quickens when asked. Ideal for a supreme.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Listening to RTC today rarely heard Ruby as keen on one as he seems to be on Kopek

Kopek got more than his fair share of air time from Ruby for winning a maiden, didn't he! If his jumping has improved, he's going to take beating at the DRF.

[Quevega]

Kopek got more than his fair share of air time from Ruby for winning a maiden, didn't he! If his jumping has improved, he's going to take beating at the DRF.

His bad jumping was a different level to Salvator though.
He basically throws himself at them.

[Faugheen_Machine]

His bad jumping was a different level to Salvator though.
He basically throws himself at them.

It was really poor, but impressive that he still managed to win.

He could be a write-off after the DRF, or the new favourite for the Turners. It's one of the races I'm looking forward to the most.

[Madmoose]

Hopefully Kopek wins at the DRF and then heads to the Turners, surely that’s his next step with Townend riding Mundi and then Kopek plus i feel the majority of us would of backed Kopek for the Neptune at 25/1 or so in the Summer.

All his pedigree is middle distance to further and it showed the last day when he jumped shite over the minimum, i’d be stunned if he went the Supreme and need to back him again before Leop.

[YoungHustler]

Kopek got more than his fair share of air time from Ruby for winning a maiden, didn't he! If his jumping has improved, he's going to take beating at the DRF.

Can't recall the exact wording but I was happy when Ruby mentioned Kopek had been jumping much better this week with Townend on top.

[opatcho]

Kopek reminds me Yorkhill. Powerful traveller, just needs to be controlled and managed

In the bumper Kopek was ridding in the pack and finish really well. Was impressive

Yorkhill needed managing to get the best out of him. I feel Kopek will be the same.

I do like, for the Turners. Would want to see him jump better, no bunny hops and less to the left

[Faugheen_Machine]

Can't recall the exact wording but I was happy when Ruby mentioned Kopek had been jumping much better this week with Townend on top.

I'd a preferred if he described his schooling as excellent, rather than better. Let's be honest, jumping better than his hurdles debut could still be crap!

[Istabraq]

I'd a preferred if he described his schooling as excellent, rather than better. Let's be honest, jumping better than his hurdles debut could still be crap!

I’ll roll out the same line I always use, these maidens are run at a crawl and that’s when you get jumping issues, get a decent pace they concentrate and settle better, jumping improves.
DRF will tell us plenty….

[Nevertoolate]

I’ll roll out the same line I always use, these maidens are run at a crawl and that’s when you get jumping issues, get a decent pace they concentrate and settle better, jumping improves.
DRF will tell us plenty….

Not sure they ran at a crawl over Christmas, if I remember correctly whinney hill took off at the start and KDB followed, really hope Kopek can jump better at the DRF I’d be in his camp for that and the turners