2025 Stayers Hurdle

[Wayward Lad]

Was my hcap dark horse for the year but shown his cards a little too much on Ire debut. Willie could have had him half cooked and would have been a shoe in for a hcap at the festival

He isnt entered in the Stayers but has an entry in the Champ hdle.
Id like to think he still has plenty in hand in improvement still and will be very interesting to see where he is next declared.

So IF he gets declared for Fridays race at Windsor over 2 1/2 miles and wins well, do you think that it’s the Coral Cup he’s being aimed at or does his rating go to high for that?…….surely can’t be Champ Hurdle can it with the owners two other entrants State Man and Anzadam and also the race appearing to have a very competitive field ?

Or do they wait for Aintree?

[ComplyOrDie]

From Jake Price:

No entries for BALLYBURN, LOSSIEMOUTH, CORBETTS CROSS or LOSANGE BLEU.

[darlojim]

So IF he gets declared for Fridays race at Windsor over 2 1/2 miles and wins well, do you think that it’s the Coral Cup he’s being aimed at or does his rating go to high for that?…….surely can’t be Champ Hurdle can it with the owners two other entrants State Man and Anzadam and also the race appearing to have a very competitive field ?

Or do they wait for Aintree?

I suppose it depends who else is in the field and if he wins, whats in behind with what ratings.

[Wayward Lad]

I suppose it depends who else is in the field and if he wins, whats in behind with what ratings.

Maybe Fridays race is to get an official BHA rating before the festival, thereby taking away any shock of what the ‘tax’ would have been should he go for either the County or the Coral Cup.

Also Willie isn’t adverse to running a 2m novice hurdler over 2 1/2 miles (Kaid D’) so maybe the County is still the plan and 11/1 may prove to be value?

[Exar Essay]

Was my hcap dark horse for the year but shown his cards a little too much on Ire debut. Willie could have had him half cooked and would have been a shoe in for a hcap at the festival

He isnt entered in the Stayers but has an entry in the Champ hdle.
Id like to think he still has plenty in hand in improvement still and will be very interesting to see where he is next declared.

I agree. The 570 on BFX was too hard to turn down (still some left).

[darlojim]

I agree. The 570 on BFX was too hard to turn down (still some left).

And I'll take the rest

[Quevega]

And I'll take the rest

too slow you lads 620's i wasted a few quid on

[darlojim]

too slow you lads 620's i wasted a few quid on

Old age catching up

[JamieSensible]

Sandor Clegane at 100/1 is surely too big for this, if the ground comes up soft on the Thursday I'd fancy him to hit the frame.

Definitely stays, just needs testing ground. he was outpaced at Christmas as the ground was no doubt too quick

[Killiney]

Noticed some bookies are cutting the odds for The Wallpark for The Pertemps.

[Runragged]

Sandor Clegane at 100/1 is surely too big for this, if the ground comes up soft on the Thursday I'd fancy him to hit the frame.

Definitely stays, just needs testing ground. he was outpaced at Christmas as the ground was no doubt too quick

Would be if you knew he was going for the race. As a second season novice then it is also possible they have been running over hurdles to protect his chase mark, especially now the NH Chase is a handicap and a race he looks well suited to.

[JamieSensible]

Would be if you knew he was going for the race. As a second season novice then it is also possible they have been running over hurdles to protect his chase mark, especially now the NH Chase is a handicap and a race he looks well suited to.

I do love a plot as much as the next man, but I'd struggle to see that, looks to me like they're focusing on the Stayers route.

[Craigy14]

Absolutely no point putting this here…..but they’re going for 3 Coral Cups aren’t they?!

[Lobos]

Absolutely no point putting this here…..but they’re going for 3 Coral Cups aren’t they?!

Looks like the Handicapper has dug his feet in though.

Not going to happen this year.

First bet of 2026 Festival

[Eggs]

….Mullins re SM & KH;


I was very pleased with Salvator Mundi in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer at Punchestown on Sunday.

He pulled very hard in what was a slow-run race and wasn’t able to show off his jumping ability against race-fit and experienced horses with decent form but was still able to win.

It looked like he blew up after jumping the second last turning for home and he still had enough in reserve to put a good horse like Kel Histoire to the sword.

I’d imagine he’ll go straight to Cheltenham.

The runner-up might go for a longer race at the Festival in March, being by Masked Marvel he’ll have lots of stamina and just doesn’t have that gear the likes of Salvator Mundi have.