2025 Novice Hurdlers

[ComplyOrDie]

Looks like we could see Kel Histoire vs Kilgame at Cork on Friday.

It's on! Both declared.

[Lobos]

Not sure if it's already been mentioned on here but Keping was lame a couple of weeks ago and Willie said in his Irish Racing stable tour video that he'll probably not run this season.

[Lobos]

It's on! Both declared.

Can see plenty being pulled again as no rain about and the ground is drying out.

[OffTheBridle]

Something piqued my interest in IrishRacing just now (https://www.irishracing.com/news/Gro...ven-bid/252697)

“You’d have expected something from Ireland, maybe Gordon (Elliott) or Willie (Mullins) might have sent something, but I think they are all going for the Challow Hurdle in a couple of weeks which is maybe why it has cut up."

Anyone heard anything? What an unbelievable race that could be if one or two from Ireland joined the fray... it's good enough as it is!

Haven't heard anything.
Willie always ran novices in the same race and was happy to let some get good marks for cheltenham like absurde last year. With rule changes to handicaps and the ground gone against him to get horses out earlier to get the runs in, maybe the are considering running in the challow, as what's the point now of finishing 3rd to 6th at christmas in leopardstown and DRF, when they might have a horse good enough to win a challow.

Also, Lawlors of Naas is potentially too close to DRF. Means that if a horse runs in Naas, there next race is at cheltenham which is 8 weeks away, too long of a break for a novice?
Maybe run your horse in challow and then in 2m 6f at DRF is a better option for an Albert bartlett horse.
Limerick is there for a 2m7f novice hurdle at Xmas but that's always heavy heavy. 3f less for the Challow and nice step up for a horse coming from a 2m maiden like ballygunner Castle for example.
Edit: was Naas abandoned last year? As it was a week later then it is this year. Think it's the 5th this year so horses should still make DRF you'd think. Challow does give them an extra weeks break though

[EnvoiAlien]

Regarding Port Joulain, I hope he's okay. Does anyone know what is the best case and worst case in terms of return time for an overreach at all?

Best case - couple of days.
Worst case - career ending.
It depends where it is honestly,and how deep.
As he pulled up quickly the jockey felt it so it's unlikely to be a few days or weeks out,I'd be cashing out any bets based on him being pulled up mid race.

[Lobos]

Same Mullins video, Willie says Mughreen not firing at the moment so she won't be out until after Xmas. She's not budged in betting for MNH so assume it's nothing to worry about other than she needs more time.

[Quevega]

Something piqued my interest in IrishRacing just now (https://www.irishracing.com/news/Gro...ven-bid/252697)

“You’d have expected something from Ireland, maybe Gordon (Elliott) or Willie (Mullins) might have sent something, but I think they are all going for the Challow Hurdle in a couple of weeks which is maybe why it has cut up."

Anyone heard anything? What an unbelievable race that could be if one or two from Ireland joined the fray... it's good enough as it is!

I'd be pretty sure she was talking with crossed purposes, and she was referring to the UK trainers when she said "they are all going for the challow" and in the first part she was referring to the race at the weekend.

Meaning nothing of note was entered for this weekend from Ire or the UK, so she thought she'd have a go.

Doubt very much if she was privy to firm racing plans in Irish yards, although it would not surprise if Gordon sent one over for sure.

[Odin]

With rule changes to handicaps and the ground gone against him to get horses out earlier to get the runs in, maybe the are considering running in the challow, as what's the point now of finishing 3rd to 6th at christmas in leopardstown and DRF, when they might have a horse good enough to win a challow.

Also, Lawlors of Naas is potentially too close to DRF. Means that if a horse runs in Naas, there next race is at cheltenham which is 8 weeks away, too long of a break for a novice?
Edit: was Naas abandoned last year? As it was a week later then it is this year. Think it's the 5th this year so horses should still make DRF you'd think. Challow does give them an extra weeks break though

I was wondering if the comment made was inside knowledge (e.g., due to the reasons you've said essentially) or if it was a guess and the reason is more likely because some horses haven't got out?

Willie has essentially said he wouldn't run Ballyburn in the Irish 2 miler because it's too close to DRF so you'd assume the same thought process would be in place for hurdlers and perhaps that is a reason to go down the Challow route given the number of horses he has for Xmas as well - it would be an interesting one for Supersundae assuming all is well as I think it would also get him a handicap mark if he didn't win? Wouldn't be sure why Gordy would do it though.

Anyway, thought it was a very interesting comment in an unexpected place so thought I'd raise as a lot would be unlikely to see it I suspect

[Odin]

I'd be pretty sure she was talking with crossed purposes, and she was referring to the UK trainers when she said "they are all going for the challow" and in the first part she was referring to the race at the weekend.

Meaning nothing of note was entered for this weekend from Ire or the UK, so she thought she'd have a go.

Yeah could be as simple as that to be fair

[ComplyOrDie]

Wingmen down in trip over 2m at Cheltenham on Friday will be interesting.

With Romeo Coolio not firing in the Royal Bond, I wonder if Wingmen may step in as his Supreme hope. Romeo could go out in trip.

[ComplyOrDie]

Surprised to see Jasmin De Vaux hit an RPR of 132 for his win at Navan.

That's one of the highest hurdle debut RPR's for a novice so far this season, I believe.

The Yellow Clay only managing a 138 in the Navan Novice Hurdle. Most horses seem to hit at least low 140's, that said, The Yellow Clay has had 3 hurdles runs in just over a month, so it may just be catching up with him a bit. I imagine he's doing his winning early on in the season and may be given a break soon.

[Killiney]

Wingmen down in trip over 2m at Cheltenham on Friday will be interesting.

With Romeo Coolio not firing in the Royal Bond, I wonder if Wingmen may step in as his Supreme hope. Romeo could go out in trip.

I'm mystified by that trip. Everything in his profile points to a staying type - I have him backed for Turners and Bartlett but not Supreme.He is 33/1 for Supreme maybe a case of WTAF to get him on side but I think That’s Nice will have too much speed for him on Friday. Will also be interesting to see whether he handles a left handed track as he jumped right last time out early on at least.

[Lobos]

Surprised to see Jasmin De Vaux hit an RPR of 132 for his win at Navan.

That's one of the highest hurdle debut RPR's for a novice so far this season, I believe.

The Yellow Clay only managing a 138 in the Navan Novice Hurdle. Most horses seem to hit at least low 140's, that said, The Yellow Clay has had 3 hurdles runs in just over a month, so it may just be catching up with him a bit. I imagine he's doing his winning early on in the season and may be given a break soon.

Agree . That's completely wrong. He won but it was an awful race and he wasn't at all impressive. A bit like Torvill and Dean, they seem to give good marks to some just because of reputation.

[Lobos]

Wingmen down in trip over 2m at Cheltenham on Friday will be interesting.

With Romeo Coolio not firing in the Royal Bond, I wonder if Wingmen may step in as his Supreme hope. Romeo could go out in trip.

Blue De Vassy would be his Supreme horse imo.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I'm mystified by that trip. Everything in his profile points to a staying type - I have him backed for Turners and Bartlett but not Supreme.He is 33/1 for Supreme maybe a case of WTAF to get him on side but I think That’s Nice will have too much speed for him on Friday. Will also be interesting to see whether he handles a left handed track as he jumped right last time out early on at least.

Was going to say the same re his trip.
I too have him backed for both and thought AB would be more suitable.
Im not covering for Supreme.