• REGISTER NOW!! Why? Because you can't do much without having been registered!

    At the moment you have limited access to view all discussions - and most importantly, you haven't joined our community. What are you waiting for? Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join Join Talking Horses here!

Novice & Maiden Hurdlers 2025-2026 - Who Might Step Up?

Ayr 12.45 1st Dec

Kinneston Nick's L'Arme de Bonheur looked up against it with the three principles in this. Nick reported the 4 year old as being a bit weak in his previous hurdle start, with the heavy ground here likely to illustrate the necessity for some further strengthening-up.

L'Arme had all but won a Uttoxeter bumper in his first start, and tried to go from the front here on his 2nd hurdle start but got taken on (which probably wouldn't have helped). Predictably, the 80-1 shot faded right out as the three main runners came to the fore.

This should set him up nicely for good odds in a better-ground handicap at some point in future.
 
6th Dec Wetherby 11.55

A near 3 miles novice run on close to proper soft-looking ground.

Not too hard to look further than the three at the top of the market at first glance.

But lurking in the 200s-300s was a Joe Tickle Malinas runner - The Moonlight Man. A point winner on heavy ground before pulled up in first novice over two and a half

Ran a nice race front rank, not able to go with the first 3 home from around 2 out. But out the back of the telly, you could see he seemed to be wilting at the last and probably would fade when facing that longish run-in. But lo and behold, he holds on to land the 10.2 4 places, looking to finish pretty fresh.

This was a heavy beating, but showed he has stamina and can jump. The run might go a little unnoticed.
 
6th Dec Sadown

Methinks we shouldn't underestimate the run of Soldier Reeves in the listed 2 mile novice at Sandown.

No 'too keen' excuses this time (at least to my eyes, other more experienced eyes may see it differently), seemed to be settled comfortably last and made a threatening move when the race started. The winner had far too many guns for him, though, with this race illustrating again 'never (or shall we say rarely) be afraid of just one horse'. Especially an unproven youngster.

SR was a ridiculous-looking 14.5 10 mins before the race. That indicates his ability might still be underestimated in future races. My instincts after the Cheltenham run were he'd want further.
 
Last edited:
7th Dec Huntingdon 12.42

Been watching Mulholland's Bel Ombre for a couple of races, with an eye to a handicap later on. Didn't look to have any chance here against yet another Bailey monster maiden + 3 or 4 from the other usual suspects, though only traded around 50s pre-race.

The Bailey monster took the race apart from around 2 out, with only one Henderson runner getting within hailing distance. The other two likely contenders for places were run legless, allowing Bel Ombre to come from well off the pace to fail narrowly in grabbing a heavily distant 3rd - looking to fight hard for that position.

That's done the handicap prospects no harm, methinks.
 

Recent Blog Posts

Back
Top