Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle Guide 2022

Harry Haskell | @HarryHaskell4

Leopardstown - February 06 2022
Leopardstown 15:35
6
Paul Townend

Sir Gerhard

J:
 
Paul Townend
T:
 
W P Mullins
Age: 7
Weight: 11-12
OR: N/A
Days: 42

Last seasons impressive Champion Bumper winner has made a bright start to life as a hurdler, winning on debut by 8L.

The level of form seems solid enough with the second (Ash Tree Meadow) winning on his next start by 5L.

Sir Gerhard impressed with his hurdling fluency and looked rather slick over his obstacles, he also has a potent change of gear which he demonstrated to full effect.

He steps up in class here but having already won at the top level in his career, you can have utmost confidence he can go in again and enhance his Cheltenham festival claims with both the Supreme, and the Ballymore looking viable targets.

Top chance, the one they all have to beat.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/04/24SAN21.5Gd11-43
31/03/24COR16Sft/Hy11-71
14/03/24CHL24Sft11-1012
31/12/23PUN19Hy11-61
12/11/23NAA16Sft11-1F
Leopardstown - February 06 2022
Leopardstown 15:35
2

El Fabiolo

J:
 
T:
 
W P Mullins
Age: 5
Weight: 11-12
OR: N/A
Days: 36

Another exciting recruit for trainer Willie Mullins, El Fabiolo (like Sir Gerhard) won on hurdles debut and falls in the "could be anything" category.

He travelled smoothly and dispatched his rivals with unbelievable ease. If you were nit-picking, you could say his jumping will need to improve to stick with these, he did make a few very small errors, but in Grade 1 company, it will pay a price.

Of the horses he beat that day - none of his rivals have placed next time out, let alone won; the form is not working out well.

He definitely has bags of potential though, and the general vibes are good about this horse, he could be a top horse in the future.

He's one to keep on side - but may find this a bit tough at this stage. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/04/24SAN15.5Gd11-102
13/03/24CHL16Sft11-10PU
04/02/24LEO17Y/Sft11-121
10/12/23COR16.5Sft/Hy12-01
27/04/23PUN16Gd/Y11-121
Leopardstown - February 06 2022
Leopardstown 15:35
7
Davy Russell

Three Stripe Life

J:
 
Davy Russell
T:
 
Gordon Elliott
Age: 6
Weight: 11-12
OR: 141
Days: 41

A nice prospect with bundles of ability - The Stripe Life is an improving sort, who's placed behind the likes of Sir Gerhard and most recently, Mighty Potter in Grade 1 company.

He was arguably unlucky in the run but was ultimately well held at the finish.

He looks likely to be the main danger to Sir Gerhard and does have better form in the book over hurdles, he's definitely in with a big shout here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/12/22LEO24Sft11-10F
04/12/22FAI20Sft11-12PU
12/11/22NAA20Y/Sft11-121
29/04/22PUN19.5Gd/Y11-103
09/04/22AIN20GS11-41
Leopardstown - February 06 2022
Leopardstown 15:35
5
Sean Flanagan

My Mate Mozzie

J:
 
Sean Flanagan
T:
 
Gavin Cromwell
Age: 6
Weight: 11-12
OR: 141
Days: 70

My Mate Mozzie has some cracking form in the book, beating Chemical Energy, and finishing a head second to Statuaire in a Grade 1 hurdle at Fairyhouse, where he most definitely could have won if having been given a better ride.

He's had a small break and should improve again off the back of that.

He is one of the classier horses in this field and his trainer has even suggested he could be given a Champion Hurdle entry.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
24/08/24YOR14GF9-29
01/08/24GAL16Gd11-43
18/06/24ASC14GF9-33
12/03/24CHL16Sft11-76
26/12/23LEO17Y11-122
Leopardstown - February 06 2022
Leopardstown 15:35
9
Danny Mullins

Statuaire

J:
 
Danny Mullins
T:
 
W P Mullins
Age: 7
Weight: 11-5
OR: 135
Days: 70

Willie Mullins was "surprised" by Statuaire's win in the Grade 1 Royal Bond in November.

She beat My Mate Mozzie by a head and had Farout well beaten too - the form is rock solid and she is 3/3 over hurdles.

She will get a mares allowance today so must be feared - but she is against classier rivals here and I think she will have her work cut out to make it 4/4.

She will be ridden chilly out the back and look to pick up the pieces, if they go too quick she will be bang there but I think she'll come up short in this contest.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
17/04/22FAI20.5Y11-5F
17/03/22CHL17Sft11-710
06/02/22LEO16Y/Sft11-56
28/11/21FAI16Gd11-51
16/06/21WEX16Y10-121
Leopardstown - February 06 2022
Leopardstown 15:35
1
Conor Orr

Colonel Mustard

J:
 
Conor Orr
T:
 
Mrs Lorna Fowler
Age: 7
Weight: 11-12
OR: 140
Days: 51

This son of Makfi has continued to improve throughout his career, he's been placed behind some good rivals like; Jonbon, Echoes In Rain and Ballyadam.

His most recent run (2nd to Jonbon at Ascot) makes for good reading.

Jonbon went on to frank the form in a Supreme Hurdle trial and won easily, the other horses in the field at Ascot represent a high level of form, and he was considerably best of the rest that day.

He continues to surprise and whilst it would be a shock result if he won - a place isn't completely out of the question. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
12/03/24CHL16.5Hy11-105
17/02/24WCN15Hy11-42
01/12/23NBY20GS11-45
10/11/23DRO19.5Sft11-122
28/04/23PUN16Y11-123
Leopardstown - February 06 2022
Leopardstown 15:35
3
Brian Hayes

Farout

J:
 
Brian Hayes
T:
 
W P Mullins
Age: 5
Weight: 11-12
OR: 137
Days: 41

Farout has been a busy horse so far for connections. He is off the back of a break here though - and his form is solid.

He's ran good races behind; Statuaire, My Mate Mozzie, Mighty Potter, Three Stripe Life and others.

He could well have improved again but he's one of the more exposed runners in this field and I think he might be found out again by a few of these.

Place claims at best.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/07/22GAL16Gd11-810
25/07/22GAL17Sft10-87
13/05/22LEO12Gd9-75
26/04/22PUN16.5Gd/Y11-32
16/04/22FAI16Gd/Y11-314
Leopardstown - February 06 2022
Leopardstown 15:35
8
Rachael Blackmore

Watch House Cross

J:
 
Rachael Blackmore
T:
 
Henry De Bromhead
Age: 5
Weight: 11-12
OR: N/A
Days: 42

Watch House Cross was a relatively unfancied 12-1 chance on hurdles debut, but duly obliged and won nice enough.

He's quite unexposed relative to some of his rivals today and he could improve again.

He will need to improve to trouble these though but for a top trainer in Henry De Bromhead who's brilliant at bringing along novice hurdlers, it wouldn't be a massive shock if he were to run well here.

Does however appear likely that he's one for the future and isn't expected to have a say in this affairs proceedings at this stage of his career.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
14/03/24CHL20.5Sft11-39
04/02/24LEO21.5Y/Sft10-4F
27/12/23LEO24.5Sft11-311
19/11/23NAV24Sft/Hy10-86
01/10/23TIP20Sft11-53
Leopardstown - February 06 2022
Leopardstown 15:35
4
Barry Browne

Gatsby Grey

J:
 
Barry Browne
T:
 
Oliver McKiernan
Age: 6
Weight: 11-12
OR: N/A
Days: 40

Gatsby Grey is hard to assess, he's run twice, and won twice.

He has won both his races (bumper and novice hurdle), quite convincingly, however, both his runs have been on heavy ground - which he's unlikely to get here.

In addition, he will most likely find many of today's rivals too classy.

He's a nice horse but I'm not so sure if he's anywhere near the ability of the market principals.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
13/07/23LEO15Gd10-135
27/04/23PUN23.5Gd/Y11-911
15/04/23AIN24.5GS11-85
05/03/23LEO18.5Y11-123
04/02/23LEO24Y11-125