2025 Novice Hurdlers

[Eggs]

….Wingmen;

”It was a good performance, I thought, because he went a little bit right the whole way,” said Elliott.

“Jack said when he let him on a bit he was better, and he was half-idling in the home straight.

“He’s a smart horse, so we’ll see where we go. Maybe he will go the other way around.

“He’s a big chasing horse, he’s a horse for next year really.

“He has (a fair engine) and they pulled well clear of the third. He (Kennedy) said he won snug.”

Kennedy added: “First time over hurdles and I’d say there is improvement, maybe over a longer trip.”

[Carnage at Taunton]

….Hills 20-1 (Turners) looks a bit of a stand-out.

Missed that, but taken the 16’s available
He was impressive
Bookies seem to be struggling as much as I am with this race !!although still early doors of course
But after watching him today 16 is fair imo

[Runragged]

….post-race comments suggest Turners (now a best 20-1);


Assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies said: “I felt a bit of a wally last time saying he’d win like that, but that is what we expect of him, he’s just very naturally talented.

“Sam just said he jumped a lot better again today, but what you have to remember is Valgrand jumps exceptionally well so his jumping had to sharpen up from last time going a faster pace. I’m sure he’ll get better again.

“For him to do that on that ground – I can’t wait to see what he does on ground with a bit of dig in it, which is what he wants. He quickens up really well on soft ground.

“I think we’ll let the dust settle, but I was talking to Sam and we’ll either go to the Challow Hurdle (Newbury) or maybe drop back to two (miles) on soft ground for the Tolworth (Formby at Aintree), we’ll just work back from the Festival and make sure we get him there in the best shape possible.”

He went on: “We’ve won a novice, won a novice here and now a Grade Two, he’s proved he’s a Festival horse. He doesn’t seem to have had the hardest race, but maybe that is his talent speaking.

“When you put a 140-rated horse away so easily like that you can’t help but be impressed. I feel a bit vindicated as he doesn’t show the most at home, but when he comes to the track he lights up. He’s come in and he’s not blowing.

“We’re very lucky to have a horse like this for these owners. They’ve had success with Dan and Paul (Nicholls) and now they’ve sent us two horses and both are nice.

“He’s shown a lot of speed there so I imagine he’s a Ballymore (Turners) horse. The Albert Bartlett can be a bit of a graveyard.”

As a follower of trends then Potters Charm going Formby would be great to see. Ballymore/Turners winners invariably have form at 2m, showing they have the speed required to win a race often run at a steady pace early. Only Willoughby Court of the last 10 winners didn't race at least once at less than 2m 4f. 6 of the 9 had won a graded race at 2m whilst Bob Olinger was runner up to the previous years Champion Bumper Ferny Hollow, City Island won his maiden at 2m and Windsor Park was runner up in a grade 1 over 2m 2f. Looking at the list of Formby/Tolworth winners then Yorkhill in 2016 did the double, winning the Tolworth at Sandown before going straight to Cheltenham and winning the Neptune/Ballymore/Turners.

If he gets the Formby entry then he would be an ideal candidate for the 'win both races' market.

[Runragged]

….Bleu de Vassy a best 33-1 (Turners) after that win, as low as 14-1 Hills.

Surprised there isn't a bit more love for this horse. 126 rated horse in 4th, 128 in 5th and 127 in 6th with the 4th and 5th both coming in fit and in form. No reason to think they haven't run to form which would mean Bleu De Vassy has run to around 140 on his 2nd hurdle start. Also debuted with a 132 RPR which is one of the highest this season (Put into context, Romeo Coolio had a 120 debut, Salvator Mundi got 135 for his maiden win). Hurdled generally well and picked up nicely when asked. Has a graded win over 2m now whilst a step up in trip would be no problem on breeding. The 33/1 still available is a fair price though trainer as said he may be better on decent ground, so wouldn't want a heavy ground Festival.

[Guinness Village]

Had a lovely morning at jackdaws castle today before racing

[Guinness Village]

Mister meggit is lame. Has stress fracture. Probably not new or privileged news

[Lobos]

Cheers Guinness

[Exar Essay]

Mister meggit is lame. Has stress fracture. Probably not new or privileged news

I’d certainly not heard that. So thank you for passing on.

[RoadToCheltenham]

Mister meggit is lame. Has stress fracture. Probably not new or privileged news

Hadn't heard this so thanks for the update GV

[AaronLad]

Had a lovely morning at jackdaws castle today before racing

What a fabulous day you must've had.
Bill joyce is very much of interest to me, i likes the looks of him.
Any clue as to which direction he might be headed?
I was thinking bartlett on breeding but the way in which he won his hurdle debut, I went for the turners.

[JackieMoon33]

Another hill I’ll die on is ‘don’t touch P2P mares for the MNH at Cheltenham’. That’s not to say they won’t be good horses long term, I just don’t believe they’re the right type for the MNH.

[Eggs]

….The Yellow Clay 20-1 Turners, 16-1 AB after that win.

[Yosser]

Nicely done from The Yellow Clay. Nice enough for Skybet to make him favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle i don't think it was that good but much improved from the first run. On another note, i don't think i have seen so many long odds on shots being turned over like i have this season. I wouldn't be writing any of them off yet (Maybe The Enabler) i did that with Ballyburn last season. Drifted to about 25/1 after his first race and i just about got back on at 7/1 before he ruined everything he met. A lot of these horses i will be going back in on that get beaten first time out like Qualimita today, available at 66/1 for a horse off for over a year with a big pedigree and big price tag. She will only improve one way.

[darlojim]

Lawlors mentioned for The Yellow Clay

Navan novice mentioned for Wingmen


Elliott novice trixie?

Romeo Supreme
The Yellow Clay Turners
Wingmen Bartlett

4861/1

[Craigy14]

Nicely done from The Yellow Clay. Nice enough for Skybet to make him favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle i don't think it was that good but much improved from the first run. On another note, i don't think i have seen so many long odds on shots being turned over like i have this season. I wouldn't be writing any of them off yet (Maybe The Enabler) i did that with Ballyburn last season. Drifted to about 25/1 after his first race and i just about got back on at 7/1 before he ruined everything he met. A lot of these horses i will be going back in on that get beaten first time out like Qualimita today, available at 66/1 for a horse off for over a year with a big pedigree and big price tag. She will only improve one way.

Agree about some of them but surely unless you’re book building you’re not going back in on the mare? Year off or not horse that just beat her was about 100 lengths behind her on the flat race and also was 0/8 over hurdles. Might look attractive but she ain’t winning the mares novice imo.