Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle Guide 2022

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.