2025 Novice Chasers

[Eggs]

….Ballyburn;

”He did things very well and took a good blow during the race which means there is a lot of improvement to come,” said Mullins.

“A lot of ours are running that way and it was a worry going out. He jumped from fence to fence and I was very pleased. I think Paul was very pleased as well.

“He has a lovely low head carriage and usually horses with a head carriage like that are very good jumpers.

“I haven’t been looking past today but we’ll have a look at what’s available and there is a chance he could go to England.”

[Hardy Eustace]

This comments would suggest 2-miler to me. Otherwise Limerick or the 3m chase at Leopardstown would’ve been mentioned.

There’s the Noel Chase or more likely the Wayward Lad for him over here.

I assume the Henry VIII will come to soon on December 8th.

Which is a shame as 2 miles at sandown would tell us everything we’d need to know about his jumping and his trip.

[ComplyOrDie]

Thought Ballyburn was very good today. So much for these 'bad schooling' rumours.

Could still go either way, for me.

Typically got him rolled up for the BANC and not the Arkle yesterday and 365 have now greyed out the BANC bets, that said, I've more multiples with him in for the Arkle.

[Exar Essay]

Thought Ballyburn was very good today. So much for these 'bad schooling' rumours.

Could still go either way, for me.

Typically got him rolled up for the BANC and not the Arkle yesterday and 365 have now greyed out the BANC bets, that said, I've more multiples with him in for the Arkle.

What did you think of the comments from Willie re his Xmas target COD? The discussion seemed all very 2 mile-ish.

I thought his jumping was average to be honest. Made funny shapes at some and made one big error (which didn’t affect him). Reminded me of El Fab a little in that he seemed unfazed by the errors. The engine is still there!

[Craigy14]

What did you think of the comments from Willie re his Xmas target COD? The discussion seemed all very 2 mile-ish.

I thought his jumping was average to be honest. Made funny shapes at some and made one big error (which didn’t affect him). Reminded me of El Fab a little in that he seemed unfazed by the errors. The engine is still there!

I thought he jumped decent on a whole, there was a couple he got in close, maybe it was an awkward jump, I thought he was clever and adjusted.

You just want to see him now tested up in grade and jumping at pace imo. That’ll untilmately decide if his jumping is quick enough/up to 2m pace. My first reaction was he’d eat up 3m no problem in the BANC. But obviously post race WPM seemed to sway the other way, wonder if Impaire has had a setback.

[ComplyOrDie]

What did you think of the comments from Willie re his Xmas target COD? The discussion seemed all very 2 mile-ish.

I thought his jumping was average to be honest. Made funny shapes at some and made one big error (which didn’t affect him). Reminded me of El Fab a little in that he seemed unfazed by the errors. The engine is still there!

Yeah, I think it looks more likely Arkle now.

His jumping was plenty good enough for first time out, IMO, though maybe a little slow at a couple, he'll need to be slicker to be winning over 2m, as today was obviously 2m3f.

He's got a huge engine for sure.

[Killiney]

….Ballyburn;

”He did things very well and took a good blow during the race which means there is a lot of improvement to come,” said Mullins.

“A lot of ours are running that way and it was a worry going out. He jumped from fence to fence and I was very pleased. I think Paul was very pleased as well.

“He has a lovely low head carriage and usually horses with a head carriage like that are very good jumpers.

“I haven’t been looking past today but we’ll have a look at what’s available and there is a chance he could go to England.”

Love Willie Mullins comment about low head carriage. Shows a horse is concentrating on what is coming. Maybe uncomfortable for the jockey who can feel there is nothing in front of them but it often shows a genuine nature. The opposite (for me) is the high head carriage which often as not indicates more negative characteristics.

[Lobos]

Apart from the one error where he left his legs in I thought he jumped immaculate for a Novice today. Looked a natural to me. Those rumours were clearly bullshit. IMO , the way he finished the race off, a step up rather than a step down would suit more but I truly believe he could go either way and win whichever race he's that good. Might just depend on what others Willie has for both races and what PT wants to ride. He looks the real deal even this early.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Ballyburn jumped ok, but imo no better than others we have seen.
Will learn much more when he’s tested against those others.
One thing I know, I ain’t touching his current price for the Arkle!!

[darlojim]

Apart from the one error where he left his legs in I thought he jumped immaculate for a Novice today. Looked a natural to me. Those rumours were clearly bullshit. IMO , the way he finished the race off, a step up rather than a step down would suit more but I truly believe he could go either way and win whichever race he's that good. Might just depend on what others Willie has for both races and what PT wants to ride. He looks the real deal even this early.

All I'll say on this is, we have people who come on to this forum and give us some guidance, as they are privvy to more information than the general public - whether that be injury news/race targets/jockey bookings/horses well beings and general news.

They don't have to share this information with us, but it helps us all when they do.

It doesn't always work out as simple as things are said, but it has paid off countless times to the benefit of all our pockets.

Lets be respectful when things are said on here

[Yosser]

Ballyburn jumped ok, but imo no better than others we have seen.
Will learn much more when he’s tested against those others.
One thing I know, I ain’t touching his current price for the Arkle!!

I thought the same yesterday CAT. Good yes but no better than Inthepocket or L'eau Du Sud.

Looking at the entries for next Thursday, it looks as though Willies 2 milers are all ready. If one of them comes out and makes a real mark over 2m that could decide Ballyburn's destination. If It's For Me can jump a fence, i am really looking forward to seeing him again after his novice form

[Durham Edition]

Ballyburn jumped ok, but imo no better than others we have seen.
Will learn much more when he’s tested against those others.
One thing I know, I ain’t touching his current price for the Arkle!!

I get what you are saying but he doesn't have to jump better than the others because he has a better engine than the others.

[Exar Essay]

I do hope Willie sends him to Naas. I think ITP, who will almost certainly run there, is the most natural and accomplished jumper we’ve seen of the big guns. That should be as much of a test of Ballyburn’s jumping as we will see. It should be a good match up.

[DeeBee]

All I'll say on this is, we have people who come on to this forum and give us some guidance, as they are privvy to more information than the general public - whether that be injury news/race targets/jockey bookings/horses well beings and general news.

They don't have to share this information with us, but it helps us all when they do.

It doesn't always work out as simple as things are said, but it has paid off countless times to the benefit of all our pockets.

Lets be respectful when things are said on here

I agree Jim… but in this instance no one claimed to be privy to information - it was all just ‘I’ve heard from my mate that he jumps like a snooker table’ chat on Twitter

[DeeBee]

I thought the same yesterday CAT. Good yes but no better than Inthepocket or L'eau Du Sud.

Looking at the entries for next Thursday, it looks as though Willies 2 milers are all ready. If one of them comes out and makes a real mark over 2m that could decide Ballyburn's destination. If It's For Me can jump a fence, i am really looking forward to seeing him again after his novice form

On hurdles form, you’d think IEP or Ballyburn would be Willies Arkle horse. If we don’t see IEP out any time soon it could leave Ballyburn by default and the hope that dancing city and co can be players In the BANC. The way Willie is talking it really feels as though he’s mapping out for 2 miles already which would suggest IEP isn’t in the picture