2025 Triumph Hurdle

[ComplyOrDie]

I'd say hes got one that has serious serious potential thats been bought, but potentially unlikely to run this season

I've got 3 or 4 on the list. Not included in stable tours, so likely to be held back this season.

[ComplyOrDie]

RPR's:

Naturally Nimble 127
Willy De Houelle 125

[Saxon Warrior]

I've got 3 or 4 on the list. Not included in stable tours, so likely to be held back this season.

Anything that didn’t win in France this season as a 3yo is potentially being held back, by Willie, (unless he decides to go early) that’s been the usual plan, and has worked so well.

The odd run a Graded race, or the Triumph itself, like Salvador Mundi among others, (usually the Grade 2 at Christmas used for this too).

Helps to have them as experienced Novice Hurdlers at 4yo rising 5yo’s.

Rather than Juvenile winners, that have to step into open hurdles at 4yo rising 5, or go chasing at a young age.

There’ll be a few decent ones that attempt the Salvator Mundi, Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps, Klassical Dream, Min route, of a second season being in Novice Hurdles, after a winless juvenile season in France or France/Ireland.
Seems to work well.

Also applies to those that are French Flat recruits, as 3yo.
Leaves some of them off a season to develop, rather than run as Juvenile Hurdles straight off a Flat season.

Then back after a 12-month break, training Willies way, and then run them in Nov/Dec as 4yo rising 5yo.
Sharjah, Melon, Blue Lord etc.

These days folk are seeing 3yo purchases from France, a lot earlier, and trying to figure if they’ll run here as Juveniles.

About the only thing we are more sure of, is that the 3yo Juvenile Hurdles winners over there in France (unless having a setback) will tend to then run as Juveniles for Willie.

- as they're never going to be able to run in Novice Hurdles

[DenmanSacre]

Has Willie got any JP owned 3 year olds this year?

[darlojim]

Has Willie got any JP owned 3 year olds this year?

Yeppp

The potential serious danger if running this season

Larzac

[DenmanSacre]

Yeppp

The potential serious danger if running this season

Larzac

Wasn't sure if he went to Willie. Crown du Berlais won decently enough last week, Six Figures ran ok in the grade 1, I'm sure Live Conti reached a decent fee to be sold to Skelton.

I wasn't sure if he had another JP one bought earlier in the year but can't remember the name of the horse now - I think it was a maiden as well so may not have been seen this year.

[ComplyOrDie]

Of the last 10 winners of this race, only Defi Du Seuil has recorded a lower RPR on debut than Willy De Houelle did on Sunday. That was in am ordinary maiden hurdle, so could have been expected though. He recorded 132 in his first win in a graded race (his 2nd ever start over hurdles).

Pentland Hills (128) recorded higher for a fascile victory in an ordinary race at Plumpton, prior to his win in this race, as did Burning Victory(127), although she was lucky she managed to win the Triumph, due to Goshen making a hash of the last hurdle and an unfortunately event playing out.

I'd argue both Pentland Hills & Burning Victory wins were in races of fairly poor standards, something that doesn't look to be the case in more recent seasons, requiring better performances.

Of the more recent winners, we had the likes of Vauban (134), Lossiemouth (132) & Majborough (138), Willy De Houelle finds him self well behind.

There is reason to believe Willy De Houelle has plenty of improvement in him (he's going to need it), not least him slightly jumping out to the left, it wasn't exaggerated, but it still never helps, so going left hand should benefit him, also the fact that a few of Willies have needed the run, and this could just be one of them cases.

I don't know the fractions, but you could argue, on that ground, which seemed to race more like 'Good' than 'Yielding' that it suited a horse like the winner, who has more flat speed pedigree (his sire won multiple Group races over 7f).


As is always the case, I must make the disclaimer, before someone points it out, that RPR's are very subjective, and shouldn't be taken as an exact reflection of a race.

[Ray]

Im not fussed about debut runs for willie mullins, galopin des champs was tucked on debut when he won the pipe, ballyburn was tucked last season on debut, anyone could throw those tickets away, so ill reserve judgement on willie til the next day

[Runragged]

Of the last 10 winners of this race, only Defi Du Seuil has recorded a lower RPR on debut than Willy De Houelle did on Sunday. That was in am ordinary maiden hurdle, so could have been expected though. He recorded 132 in his first win in a graded race (his 2nd ever start over hurdles).

Pentland Hills (128) recorded higher for a fascile victory in an ordinary race at Plumpton, prior to his win in this race, as did Burning Victory(127), although she was lucky she managed to win the Triumph, due to Goshen making a hash of the last hurdle and an unfortunately event playing out.

I'd argue both Pentland Hills & Burning Victory wins were in races of fairly poor standards, something that doesn't look to be the case in more recent seasons, requiring better performances.

Of the more recent winners, we had the likes of Vauban (134), Lossiemouth (132) & Majborough (138), Willy De Houelle finds him self well behind.

There is reason to believe Willy De Houelle has plenty of improvement in him (he's going to need it), not least him slightly jumping out to the left, it wasn't exaggerated, but it still never helps, so going left hand should benefit him, also the fact that a few of Willies have needed the run, and this could just be one of them cases.

I don't know the fractions, but you could argue, on that ground, which seemed to race more like 'Good' than 'Yielding' that it suited a horse like the winner, who has more flat speed pedigree (his sire won multiple Group races over 7f).


As is always the case, I must make the disclaimer, before someone points it out, that RPR's are very subjective, and shouldn't be taken as an exact reflection of a race.

The three lowest that you refer to were all making their debut over hurdles and all won so potential for further improvement. Willy De Houelle was making his third start over hurdles and was beat, albeit first start for Mullins.

[ComplyOrDie]

The three lowest that you refer to were all making their debut over hurdles and all won so potential for further improvement. Willy De Houelle was making his third start over hurdles and was beat, albeit first start for Mullins.

Indeed. Those that already had hurdle form from France generally performed a fair amount better than what Willy did!

Would be a concern, for sure.

[Quevega]

Problem I have with Willy de H is that the horse that beat him seemed to do so very comfortably and was probably not even trying to win.

If both those horses were lining up next week in the triumph then I'd take the Joseph horse every time as he looked to win that race the other day like a better, more professional horse.
He basically travelled up to the front rank round the bend and was ridden to get upsides approaching the last, was pushed wide because willy jumped left but then was basically pushed out hands and heels really. seemed to win quite snug IMO.
I get the pace collapse angle though, so he may have been flattered on the day, but that sort of horse and the way that race was run is often useful for a triumph hurdle.

[Lobos]

I highlighted before that the race WDH got beat in, Willie has used it for a number of his Boodles horses. Wouldn't surprise me if they targeted that race now.

[darlojim]

Super Bend lost his maiden tag today at the 10th time of asking at Fontainebleu

His debut just 9 month ago was beaten 15L by Willy de Houelle

Such strong form.

[On The Fringe]

Rich Ricci on Unbridled talking about WDH's performance at Fairyhouse - "I took the 20s right after the race" with a big grin on his face, and then goes on to say "Willie's very confident if they ran that race again, he'd win"

[EnvoiAlien]

Rich Ricci on Unbridled talking about WDH's performance at Fairyhouse - "I took the 20s right after the race" with a big grin on his face, and then goes on to say "Willie's very confident if they ran that race again, he'd win"

As long as they're racing on heavy,the action on WDH was my biggest takeaway from the race,if its like a bog in march I'd cover him,if there's been no rain all week I couldn't have him on my mind.
Next run will tell us plenty,but he could yet end up a Boodles horse if that doesn't go as they'd hope.