2025 Novice Hurdlers

[Wayward Lad]

This was for the Grade 2 he won, beating Potters Charm, but may still be able to compete in the Turners at the festival.

More importantly, is he as good as his last run, considering he was on some level of PED’s ?

[Quevega]

This was for the Grade 2 he won, beating Potters Charm, but may still be able to compete in the Turners at the festival.

I read about it earlier.
There is something not quite right that he can still run at Cheltenham IMO.
They should change the rules around this.
Be bad for the Sport if he shows up well in the Turners - and the further investigations show something a little more damning than the explanation they're offering at the moment.

[ComplyOrDie]

I read about it earlier.
There is something not quite right that he can still run at Cheltenham IMO.
They should change the rules around this.
Be bad for the Sport if he shows up well in the Turners - and the further investigations show something a little more damning than the explanation they're offering at the moment.

I was thinking this.

Won't be winning if he's not drugged up, anyhow.

[Quevega]

I was thinking this.

Won't be winning if he's not drugged up, anyhow.

Like most of em probably

Imagine if Willie turned into the Lance Armstrong of the sport.
Death tolls I reckon.

[Istabraq]

I remember the Easterby’s sending a horse to win a handicap at the festival, maybe 20 years ago, who had been banned from racing (flat) for a period because of using banned substances.
Won comfortably and was roundly booed all the way to the winners enclosure….

[Muswell]

Top Cees (Ramsdens)?

[Istabraq]

Top Cees (Ramsdens)?

Oh yeah, Ramsden, apologies to all Easterbys....

[Prestbury]

I read about it earlier.
There is something not quite right that he can still run at Cheltenham IMO.
They should change the rules around this.
Be bad for the Sport if he shows up well in the Turners - and the further investigations show something a little more damning than the explanation they're offering at the moment.

I agree if something else comes to light but if it is a legal medication that was given 22 days before the run when the accepted run off time is 14 days then its a bit harsh to ban the horse and connections from running at Cheltenham. You would feel a bit aggrieved if in that position.

[Quevega]

I agree if something else comes to light but if it is a legal medication that was given 22 days before the run when the accepted run off time is 14 days then its a bit harsh to ban the horse and connections from running at Cheltenham. You would feel a bit aggrieved if in that position.

Yeah it's a tricky situation all round and you'd want to be fair, but sounds very much like they've not finished the investigation.
So, the trainers best guess as to the cause may or may not be proven.

Hopefully all parties get to the bottom of it before the actual race, but if not, and there is a doubt - It would not surprise me if someone had a quiet word and he didn't run.

[AaronLad]

A horse gets a bit constipated from pain relief medication and I'm seeing comments which are suggesting something untoward.

Give your fucking head a wobble

[robith]

A horse gets a bit constipated from pain relief medication and I'm seeing comments which are suggesting something untoward.

Give your fucking head a wobble

Wow, I didn't know pockets were sentient and could talk

[Quevega]

A horse gets a bit constipated from pain relief medication and I'm seeing comments which are suggesting something untoward.

Give your fucking head a wobble

There you go then.
All the facts we need.
Investigation over.

[Brooksie]

Anyone else thinking Kopek might run in the Ballymore still? Not looked back thoroughly, but doesn't Willie usually split his best 2 while the others typically fill in the gaps? If the Mullins camp believe their best two novice hurdlers are Kopek and SM.. could we be looking at a last minute switch. Especially now with a few rumors flying around about Final Demand being stepped up to the AB?

[Anay Turge]

Anyone else thinking Kopek might run in the Ballymore still? Not looked back thoroughly, but doesn't Willie usually split his best 2 while the others typically fill in the gaps? If the Mullins camp believe their best two novice hurdlers are Kopek and SM.. could we be looking at a last minute switch. Especially now with a few rumors flying around about Final Demand being stepped up to the AB?

I can’t see Willie saying what he said about Michael O’Sullivan, the Supreme & Kopek to then change to the Ballymore. Would be pretty low. One of the owners on Twitter also seems confident on the Supreme today. Who knows, but I’d be very surprised at this point

[Brooksie]

I can’t see Willie saying what he said about Michael O’Sullivan, the Supreme & Kopek to then change to the Ballymore. Would be pretty low. One of the owners on Twitter also seems confident on the Supreme today. Who knows, but I’d be very surprised at this point

Ah ok, what interview/preview was that? I haven't watched any previews this season. Grown a bit tired of them the last few seasons in truth, bit saturated.