2025 Novice Hurdlers

[ComplyOrDie]

Champion bumper form looking ok so far? Will it last?

Every year this topic seems to cause debate. Think pre season consensus was that it isn’t the line to follow.

The acid test will be when they meet horses who weren't in the bumper in the top graded races, for me. You'd have to be expecting the majority to win weak maiden hurdle races in the interim though.

[Birds Nest]

Royal infantry made hard work of that, 2m bare minimum. Big strapping chaser, slightly high knee action, looks more like 3 miler imo...was suprised to see him out over 2m today

[Exar Essay]

Will be tested again in the 12.50 at Chepstow today. Skelton's horse was first of the Brits home in 8th.

A win, but made hard work of it. Looks like he might enjoy a trip.

[Lobos]

A win, but made hard work of it. Looks like he might enjoy a trip.

Beaten 17 lengths in Bumper so a little boost nonetheless.

[ComplyOrDie]

Probably best we don't talk about that ride by Harry Skelton on Let It Rain, just then.

Hope not too many fingers were burnt on here.

Out to 20/1 for the Mares Novice Hurdle now, for any interested.

[Lobos]

Probably best we don't talk about that ride by Harry Skelton on Let It Rain, just then.

Hope not too many fingers were burnt on here.

Out to 20/1 for the Mares Novice Hurdle now, for any interested.

Nothing wrong with his ride was there? Crept quietly into the race, came there cruising but didn't find as much as expected and beaten by a fitter horse. She looks a big old lady. Built for fences and 3m already I reckon.

[ComplyOrDie]

Nothing wrong with his ride was there? Crept quietly into the race, came there cruising but didn't find as much as expected and beaten by a fitter horse. She looks a big old lady. Built for fences and 3m already I reckon.

Came there travelling, his effort to then go through with it was below what he can do on a horse when 'trying'. It was hands and heels stuff, difference between the pair of the jockeys after the last was chalk & cheese. Nolan giving it the kitchen, Skelton with kid gloves.

Appreciate she will come on for the run plenty, but she's been entered in a race, not a schooling session.

[Lobos]

Came there travelling, his effort to then go through with it was below what he can do on a horse when 'trying'. It was hands and heels stuff, difference between the pair of the jockeys after the last was chalk & cheese. Nolan giving it the kitchen, Skelton with kid gloves.

Appreciate she will come on for the run plenty, but she's been entered in a race, not a schooling session.

Didn't see it like that at all. He's hardly going to kill her first time up but I wouldn't say he wasn't trying. They pulled way clear of the rest and she just got beat for a little more pace but mainly fitness advantage of the winner. Couldn't be having her for anything at the Fez mind.

[ComplyOrDie]

Didn't see it like that at all. He's hardly going to kill her first time up but I wouldn't say he wasn't trying. They pulled way clear of the rest and she just got beat for a little more pace but mainly fitness advantage of the winner. Couldn't be having her for anything at the Fez mind.

It wouldn't 'kill her' first time up, that's a silly thing to say. He was trying to give her a cosy win, that I'll agree, but it was fairly obvious it was going to result in a proper race to the line, but he didn't even pull the whip through. I've just watched it again. It was light hands and heels stuff from him.

Honestly just watch the difference in jockey motions after the last. Embarrassing.

[Birds Nest]

Writing was on the wall for the mare this morning when the favs flip flopped, bit of confidence behind the Hobbs horse.

[ComplyOrDie]

Writing was on the wall for the mare this morning when the favs flip flopped, bit of confidence behind the Hobbs horse.

Correct. 8/15 last night out to 15/8 at one point today. That's a fair drift.

[Exar Essay]

Completely agree with COD that it was a poor ride. But I'd expect the instructions were not to be too hard on her. Against a race fit rival, I don't mind that as a pipe opener. I've had a small top up at 20/1.

[Black Dog]

Completely agree with COD that it was a poor ride. But I'd expect the instructions were not to be too hard on her. Against a race fit rival, I don't mind that as a pipe opener. I've had a small top up at 20/1.

As a backer I was delighted with the tender handling she received and expect the kindness to be repaid. She travelled like the best horse and hope she'll be good enough to be competitive next March.

[RoadToCheltenham]

Alarming drift for William Munny on both Denise and the Exchanges...

[Hurricane fly]

I've seen a post on Facebook saying he's out for the season but no prior knowledge to know if it's reliable or not