Novice Hurdlers 2012-13

I wasn't convinced by Jezki in the Royal Bond but that was seriously impressive today. They went a Supreme pace the whole way as well.

The only slight doubt in my mind is that he doesn't look the most fluent jumper.
 
Personally, I always find the Supreme the most difficult of all the Festival novice races. There is always scope for something to emerge late in the day and it is rare to have any direct formlines between the Irish and the home defence. Is Jezki better than Puffin Billy? Despite the quote from Geraghty it would be impossible to say for sure and given possible future riding arrangements it is probably in his interests to stay loyal to the Irish horse.

If I had backed Jezki I would have a slight concern that he has had five races in a short space of time on pretty bad ground but more of a concern for me would be that his most disappointing performance has come at Cheltenham. Perhaps he wasn't ready at the time but I wouldn't rushing to find out at today's revised prices.
 
Henderson's best 2m novice hurdler is likely to be ridden by McCoy, Adross. Besides, given NJH's close relationship with Jessica Harrington, I don't think he'd have too many issues with Geraghty taking the Jezki ride over one of his, if Jezki had a clear form/favourites chance.
 
My Tent isn't currently his number one, River Maigue is. Despite any closeness between the two there is no way Henderson will be weakening a horse of his chances. And that is assuming Jezki has a better chance than one of his on the day.
 
LUKE said:
Former Derby favourite Chabal is entered in a Fakenham novice hurdle on New Years Day.
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Cheers Luke
I saw him win his maiden at Leopardstown (same day Sea The Stars won the Champion Stakes) and had lumps on him to win the 2010 Derby...Always thought he'd make it as a hurdler :)
 
I was there that day-he had been a persistent tip for weeks before the race.Bolger really rated him -his failure to deliver subsequently was a massive disappointment.
It will be interesting to see how he performs over hurdles.
 
My Tent Or Yours goes in the minor 2m novice hurdle rather than the Challow tomorrow.

He really needs to be winning in this company if he is to have genuine Supreme Novices pretensions......though it wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world if he ran poorly "on account of the ground", won another novice hurdle in January Agfa Hurdle card maybe?), which might get him an attractive-looking mark for the Betfair Hurdle.
 
LUKE said:
I was there that day-he had been a persistent tip for weeks before the race.Bolger really rated him -his failure to deliver subsequently was a massive disappointment.
It will be interesting to see how he performs over hurdles.
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I'm trying not to be sarcastic but when doesn't he big his horses up when the cheques keep coming in?
 
Geraghty skipped a Saturday in England to come over and ride Jezki the time before last..

I'm certain he'll be on Jezki come the day
 
I think Henderdon had nothing that day, Bobbyjo.

I'd be surprised if River Maigue was 10s or less on the day of the Supreme.
 
Henderson had enough runners that day, Hamm.....enough to make me want to back Jezki when Geraghty chose to go to Ireland instead, at any rate. Someone on here signposted it the morning of the race, I think.
 
T'was moi, Grass, and even though I say so myself, it's proved a goldmine since.
Just my take, but I believe the reason My Tent Or Yours doesn't go in the Challow is that AP knows he'd have little chance with his current ride - over the extra distance.
 
One to look out for in the future is the ex Andre fabre gelding Pine Creek.

He ran his first race for John Ferguson at lowly Folkstone 10 days ago and finished 3rd to Charlie Mann's Lord of the House which is a far cry from Cheltenham. That was his first run for 8 months and I'm told he looked like the run would do him good and they think he might be well above average. Cheltenham? who knows? but I am assured he will be winning soon.
 
On The Bridle said:
Clondaw Keamfer drifting again the Jonjo horse tomorrow in the Challow....??
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I'm on the McCain animal for the Neptune but the Challow will be tough on heavy ground. The horse has an action and a pedigree which suggest decent ground will suit him so a bog over a trip isn't ideal.
 
reet hard said:
Just my take, but I believe the reason My Tent Or Yours doesn't go in the Challow is that AP knows he'd have little chance with his current ride - over the extra distance.
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MTOY definitely a 2-miler at this stage, reet, and no surprise he swerves the Challow. The surprise is that he is running in a penny-ante novice hurdle on the back-end of this card, rather than the Tolworth.

He's among the favourites for the Supreme, so why run at Newbury for three-grand when you could be running at Sandown for twenty grand? Unless you wanted to keep the horse under the radar a bit.......or are looking to confuse the handicapper?
 
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I find it slightly suspicious that MTOY is running in this race today-I wonder if he had a setback of some description at home.
 
I think you are all looking for something that isn't there - Henderson nearly always runs his best 2 milers in small races till they have had a couple of runs; Sprinter Sacre and Spirit Son to name but two.
 
Grasshopper said:
Henderson had enough runners that day, Hamm.....enough to make me want to back Jezki when Geraghty chose to go to Ireland instead, at any rate. Someone on here signposted it the morning of the race, I think.
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Lets agree to disagree for now and see who he rides for in March. :p
 
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