Novice Hurdlers 2018/2019

I wouldn't be too sure about that, Maruco.

Those crafty Irish trainers tend to get something in there off 125 when they know it's really a 150 beast.

Edit - I was actually thinking of the Fred Winter there. The MP is two and a half miles. I thought ICE looked not to stay at that trip, which might have been part of the plan to keep it under the radar for now.

In the MP last year Hendo had two runners, both fanciable, in Diese Des Bieffes and Lough Derg Spirit, both on 137. They finished fifth and sixth, best of the UK runners, behind four Irish horses. That's what he's up against.
 
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I suspect I Can't Explain is a significantly better horse than those two Maurice, and I'm certain Henderson thinks so.

I don't doubt that Willie and Gordon are playing the same game though. And Nicholls and Skelton will be doing the same.
 
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Maruco said:
I suspect I Can't Explain is a significantly better horse than those two Maurice, and I'm certain Henderson thinks so.

I don't doubt that Willie and Gordon are playing the same game though. And Nicholls and Skelton will be doing the same.
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Agree 100%, which is why I don't think the handicap route is the best one for ICE - too much competition. In many respects it makes more sense to go for the Supreme.

If Hendo believes ICE is, say, a 155 horse, ie good enough to win an average Supreme, he'll have a better idea about the relative ability of the opposition for the Supreme than going into a handicap off 10lbs or so lower not knowing what the Irish trainers have been keeping out of sight.

And the trainers you mention won't be the only ones.
 
Henderson has so many horses to split across the Supreme and the Ballymore that it makes sense for him to have a mid 150's horse in a handicap off 143. I agree that it's not necessarily enough to win a handicap as others are also 'plotting', but if he feels the same horse is possibly marginally his third string for one of the novice races it surely makes sense. Particularly given by default he doesn't believe it will beat either one or two of his own horses.
 
Entries not released until Thursday but numerically there are

Supreme Novices 99 (73 last year)

Ballymore Novices Hurdle 139 (98 last year)

Triumph Hurdle 59 (47 last year)

Albert Bartlett 107 (83 last year)
 
The first at Leopardstown on Saturday has the makings of a cracker. Battleoverdoyen is out again but I think Dunvegan will give him plenty to think about. Really impressed with seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse.


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Kauto Abu said:
The first at Leopardstown on Saturday has the makings of a cracker. Battleoverdoyen is out again but I think Dunvegan will give him plenty to think about. Really impressed with seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse.


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I'd say the good ground could possibly scare him off
 
Heard some good things about Champagne Platinum today. Looking at his 2 runs, easy enough winner but form doesn't look up to much ATM.

Certainly think Hendo probably has better options but could he have first three home?
 
granger said:
They didn't run him at Naas owing to the ground from what I remember
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All systems go according to Fahy last weekend anyway. Was cut from 12s into 6s too from opening betting show.


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Kauto Abu said:
The first at Leopardstown on Saturday has the makings of a cracker. Battleoverdoyen is out again but I think Dunvegan will give him plenty to think about. Really impressed with seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse.


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The 10/1 on Dunvegan looks decent now with Battleoverdoyen out. Very surprised to see him miss out.


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Novice Hurdlers 2018/2019 (now with Chelt Festival entries)

granger said:
Dunvegan disappointed didn't he? I was a bit surprised they raced him but hopefully all is ok

Angels Breath out tomorrow at Huntingdon
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Ya Dunvegan was disappointing. Travelled well to a point but started making mistakes.

Good to see Angels Breath out again tomorrow. He’ll have to be good now to give weight to Emitom but it’s also good to see him get better ground too. His p2p and hurdle win was on soft or heavy but being by Shantou he should appreciate better ground.

Hold a few 33/1 & 25/1 Supreme dockets so anxious viewing tomorrow.


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JP McManus has secured a deal for leading Supreme Novices' and Triumph Hurdle fancies Fakir D’Oudairies and Konitho, as well as Champion Bumper livewire Blue Sari.
 
Considering he already owns Sir Erec it now has to be likely that Fakir D'oudaireis is Supreme bound. He's had 4 year olds in it before.
 
wilsonl said:
Considering he already owns Sir Erec it now has to be likely that Fakir D'oudaireis is Supreme bound. He's had 4 year olds in it before.
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I saw something on Sky Sports racing where Kevin Blake basically said that if any of the Joseph O'Brien Novices ran in The Supreme he would be the most likely.
 
Binocular ran in it anyway. He’ll have Champagne Platinum for Supreme too but could easily run 2. He’s due for a spin at Exeter Sunday.


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