2025 Novice Hurdlers

[Exar Essay]

He was withdrawn too late for this to be the reason wasn't he? Why declare him? Ground was the given reason but that seemed to not make too much sense...

I was having Giggy pissed off when Ewing got off him to get on Romeo. But that was just a complete guess knowing what they're like.

Yes - the ground would’ve been perfect for him if you take Gordon at his word. Which is why I can’t imagine he was ever an intended runner.

Gordon has been doing it all season. Late withdrawals that is. Probably for rule 4 purposes.

[Eggs]

……Karafon might be of interest today given Mullins comments in his RP stable tour when he nominated ‘two for the tracker’;

‘It's For Me is a horse I have very high hopes for. I thought he might turn out to be one of our best novice hurdlers last season and I have similar expectations for him now that he goes chasing. He does some fantastic work at home. We have a nice bunch of young horses and Karnafon is a four-year-old who should have a good season in novice hurdles. He's very nice.‘

[Runragged]

……Karafon might be of interest today given Mullins comments in his RP stable tour when he nominated ‘two for the tracker’;

‘It's For Me is a horse I have very high hopes for. I thought he might turn out to be one of our best novice hurdlers last season and I have similar expectations for him now that he goes chasing. He does some fantastic work at home. We have a nice bunch of young horses and Karnafon is a four-year-old who should have a good season in novice hurdles. He's very nice.‘

Annoyingly no WTAF for him yet as would be a candidate for me as a 2nd season novice with 2 runs already under his belt and so all options open.

[Mighty]

Is anyone able to try and get a price with Hills? Ideally with any race.

[ComplyOrDie]

RPR:

Romeo Coolio 135

[Eggs]

….Karafon 12-1 in Hills a/r market but not seeing WTAF offer as yet. 50-1 Lads for Turn.

[Odin]

….Karafon 12-1 in Hills a/r market but not seeing WTAF offer as yet. 50-1 Lads for Turn.

I took 50 on Exchange earlier for Supreme, using the Jasmin De Vaux is probably Turners bound related ownership angle.

Definitely can see the concerns around him going handicapping as others have mentioned though.

[ComplyOrDie]

Karafon vs Karamoja - I'm siding with Karamoja today. Mostly based on breeding, I feel the going/trip will suit her slightly better, being by Masked Marvel, than it will Karafon who is by Karaktar. On the dams side as well, Karamoja has plenty more stamina, being out of a Saint Des Saints mare, whereas Karafon is out of a Intello mare. I'm looking at Karafon and immediately thinking County Hurdle to, so I'm hoping he doesn't go and win today.

[Exar Essay]

One I've been very keen to see for 2 years now is finally entered. Joeuer Masque is entered over 2 miles at Navan on Saturday in the 5yo + maiden. He's been at Willie's since the summer of 2022. My post from last year's diary.

Joueur Masque - Supreme

A 3yo AQPS winner at Vichy in May 2022. He was subsequently sold to JP and is in training with Willie. A Masked Marvel out of an Al Namix mare.

I’ve had this lad in the tracker since this time last year when he got a notable write up in OJA as follows:

It remains to be seen whether the J.P.McManus / Willie Mullins recruit races this term but the Masked Marvel gelding ought to be worth the wait. A half-brother to the aforementioned Intranet, he was owned in France by Guy Cherel and trained by Daniela Mele. He was a comfortable winner of an AQPS Flat race at Vichy (1m 4f: Soft - RH) in late May making all and staying on strongly. A length and a quarter scorer from previous winner, Jet Blue, it is possible he will be given time to mature and brought back next Autumn as a four year old. Either way, he is one for the notebook.

Reveley's Remarks: "I rode him at home and liked him a lot. A nice scopey type, I was looking forward to riding him over hurdles before he was sold."

What took me about this entry was that the talent is thought to be there, but also that it was known he’d likely be put away for the year then. They must’ve been holding him back for something you’d think. Now that there’s been no summer flat campaign m, I’m hoping it’s a genuine tilt at novice hurdle.

In the race itself, JM set a good gallop on the front and as others began to come at him about a furlong out he found more and more to win comfortably enough. The way he put the race to bed reminded me of a Supreme horse. Good speed with an extra gear in the locker for the final furlong.

The second, Jet Blue, came out and won a Grade 2 AQPS on his next start, although his form has been a little lack lustre since.

As above, what I’ve seen on his one run suggests the minimum trip should suit, and breeding does too, but a step up to 2m4f wouldn’t necessarily be an issue.

I’ve not heard anything about JM since last years OJA entry, but here’s another for a stacked novice hurdle team for JP and Willie.

The one I’m most looking forward to from Willie’s string along with Gaucher this year.

[Exar Essay]

Karmoja being very well backed today. Also the only mare in the Future Champions at Xmas. I've taken 25/1 for the MNH.

[ComplyOrDie]

Karafon vs Karamoja - I'm siding with Karamoja today. Mostly based on breeding, I feel the going/trip will suit her slightly better, being by Masked Marvel, than it will Karafon who is by Karaktar. On the dams side as well, Karamoja has plenty more stamina, being out of a Saint Des Saints mare, whereas Karafon is out of a Intello mare. I'm looking at Karafon and immediately thinking County Hurdle to, so I'm hoping he doesn't go and win today.

Turns out Karafon was just too good. He's done that well there.

[Eggs]

….looking like Karafon into a best 33-1 Sup and Turners.

[Exar Essay]

Turns out Karafon was just too good. He's done that well there.

Yes, I think he looked good. It's jolly hard to know what to make of maiden hurdles round Clonmel. But given the ground, I'd say that was a good start. Looked more of a galloping Supreme type than a Turners type to me.

[Lobos]

Yes, I think he looked good. It's jolly hard to know what to make of maiden hurdles round Clonmel. But given the ground, I'd say that was a good start. Looked more of a galloping Supreme type than a Turners type to me.

He'd be way down Willies list surely?

[riccirich]

He'd be way down Willies list surely?

The early signs are indicating that last year's juveniles were probably a pretty decent bunch, so I'd be willing to give him a chance. His run at leopardstown on debut for mullins was just as good as salvator mundis triumph run, but he's much less hyped rightly or wrongly.