Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Guide 2023

Seven-year-old who is Fergal O’Brien’s horse in the race with three hurdle wins in his career so far. Those came at Hereford (C4), Leicester (C3) and Huntingdon last time out in a class one listed event, beating 4/5 fav Rare Edition by just under three lengths.

Did okay on his most notable graded outing in the Challow at Newbury in December, finishing fifth of 12 behind the likes of Hermes Allen (winner) and You Wear It Well.

A bit more on his plate here having finished a fair way back to Hermes Allen and can be dismissed in this contest.

There should be more to come from this seven-year-old Barry Connell gelding who landed a Wexford bumper over 2m in October last year before being sent over hurdles at Fairyhouse two months later, unseating his rider in the process.

Is since unbeaten over obstacles, winning at Leopardstown in December before stepping up to grade one company at the same course over 2m 6f, beating Absolute Notions by just over a length to further boost graded credentials.

This is a strong race of horses but he shouldn’t be dismissed and currently looks a good price around 6/1 following that Leopardstown success.

Won well on bumper debut at Limerick in May 2021 before winning two hurdle races in succession, at Galway and Tipperary in 2022.

Tipperary success came in a grade three before finishing fourth on grade one debut in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in December, where Marine Nationale edged out Irish Point by a head.

Bounced back in a grade one novice to beat a field of eight at Naas in January, over 2m 3f and heads here off a mark of 149 after a couple of months off. There’s a few in stronger form at top level but he cannot be dismissed.

Performed well in bumpers for Gordon Elliott with notable second here in the Champion Bumper last term, losing out by just under four lengths to eventual winner Facile Vega.

Made the switch to hurdles at Down Royal in November last year as 1/6 favourite and justified that with a six length win before finishing second in a grade three at Navan when 2/7 favourite.

Dropped down to 2m at Navan last month but struggled into fourth, with Hunters Yarn winning at 3/1 for Willie Mullins. Potential remains with this six-year-old who should enjoy the step back up in trip.

Another top prospect for Willie Mullins who comes into this contest as the top rated horse at 157. Has won his last three hurdle starts at Tramore, Clonmel and Leopardstown in a field of 17 last time out at 10/11 favourite. Ran here last season in the Boodles, finishing a short head behind Brazil when priced at 13/8 favourite.

Steps up in trip here by about five furlongs and has claims on recent form if he can sharpen up on his jumping a bit, with a tendency to jump right slightly concerning.

Paul Nicholls sends one for the Ballymore in the form of Hermes Allen, who is unbeaten over hurdles since his debut in October last year.

Bryony Frost was on board for the 27-length victory over Theatre Man at Stratford before stepping up in class to win a grade two at this course in November in the hands of Harry Cobden.

The six-year-old followed that with another victory, this time in a grade one at Newbury in December, beating You Wear It Well by just under five lengths. He’s a leading player in this company and a direct rival for favourite Impaire Et Passe, who is rated at 148 with Hermes Allen rated at 150.

Decent performer over hurdles so far albeit failing to win, finishing second on two occasions at this course and Plumpton as well as falling at the last when winning class two hurdle contest at Ascot in November last year.

Ran in the Betfair Hurdle last month to finish sixth of 16 which was a decent effort alongside some good runners but will be up against it here at the festival and 100/1 price has him as a massive outsider to pick up a victory considering he’s not won yet at lower levels like most of these runners.

Couple of good showings over hurdles from Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old Persian Time, winning on debut at Ascot after Master Chewy fell when leading at the last before backing that run up with a second at the same course over 2m 3f in a class two novice, losing out to Springwell Bay by nine lengths.

Has to improve a lot more to be involved here in much better company and goes off 128 with Adrian Heskin doing the steering.

Exciting prospect for the top yard of Willie Mullins, winning both starts over hurdles so far including grade two success last time out at Punchestown.

Hurdling debut yielded 18-length success over For Fear Of Frost at Naas in December before romping home again by six and a half lengths at Punchestown 59 days ago at 1/3 favourite.

Comes into this race as the hot favourite following those two convincing victories and he’s probably the one to beat here despite many coming into this in top form.

Five-year-old for Willie Mullins who fell on hurdling debut at Leopardstown in December at the second when priced at 5/2 which was a disappointment but won his next outing at Navan last month easily by four and a half lengths to Banjaxed in second.

Hasn’t had as many races as some and is upped in trip and grade here. He’s open to more improvement but this is a tougher test than he’s experienced before.