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Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdle
Race Conditions
The Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdle (2:00pm) is a Class A Grade 1 hurdle run over two miles and five furlongs. It is open to novices aged four years old and upwards. The total prize fund is £120,000.
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Recent Winners
Formerly known as the Royal & Sun Alliance Novices Hurdle, the role of honour for this race includes some of brightest young stars of recent times. Not only has the event been won by, what looked at the time to be, future Gold Cup winners such as French Holly, Barton and Monsignor, but also horses that have gone on to win the Champion Hurdle.
So, unlike the Supreme Novices Hurdle, this race suits both top class stayers from the flat and the more old fashioned, chasing type.
| Year | Horse | Age | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Fiveforthree | 6 | W P Mullins | 7/1 |
| 2007 | Massini's Maguire | 6 | P J Hobbs | 20/1 |
| 2006 | Nicanor | 5 | N Meade | 17/2 |
| 2005 | No Refuge | 5 | J Howard Johnson | 17/2 |
| 2004 | Fundamentalist | 6 | N Twiston-Davies | 12/1 |
| 2003 | Hardy Eustace | 6 | D Hughes | 6/1 |
| 2002 | Galileo | 6 | T George | 12/1 |
| 2000 | Monsignor | 6 | M Pitman | 5/4F |
| 1999 | Barton | 6 | T Easterby | 2/1F |
| 1998 | French Holly | 7 | F Murphy | 2/1F |
| 1997 | Istabraq | 5 | A O’Brien | 6/5F |
| 1996 | Urubande | 6 | A O’Brien | 8/1 |
| 1995 | Putty Road | 5 | D Nicholson | 7/1 |
| 1994 | Danoli | 6 | T Foley | 7/4F |
Key Trends
21 of the last 23 winners started in the first 6 in the betting.
6 year old's have won 7 of the last 9 renewals.
Just 1 winner from well over 100 runners since 1974 was aged older than 6.
24 of the last 25 winners won or came 2nd on their most recent start.
Watch the 2008 Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle:
2007 Review
A drying night and another sunny morning further improved the ground so that conditions were almost perfect by the time the runners went to post for the opening race on day two of the Festival.
This is a race that invariably throws up future stars, but this year’s renewal went to one of the outsiders in MASSINI’S MAGUIRE.
The Phillip Hobbs trained gelding had had a mixed season before today – impressing when beating Wichita Lineman here in November, but disappointing slightly when behind that rival on two subsequent occasions. Nobody could question his stomach for the fight, though, as he set off in front here and repelled all comers to hang on to that lead throughout the race – no easy feat given the quality of the opposition. He is a lovely, big chasing type and that is surely where his future lies.
The winner was challenged first by Catch Me turning for home and then by the runner up,Tidal Bay, on the run in but he outstayed and out battled both. Tidal Bay beat Massini’s Maguire here in January, but the ground was softer that day and that may have made the difference. Howard Johnson and Graham Wylie already have a strong hand with staying hurdlers and this horse will add further to that strength in depth.
Catch Me’s connections had been in two minds whether to run here or in the shorter Supreme Novices Hurdle. He was the only horse to head the winner during the race and he led after jumping the second last. He kept on well all the way to the line to suggest stamina wasn’t an issue. However, given the history this race has for throwing up Champion Hurdle winners in recent times it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Catch Me returned to the minimum trip at some point in the future.
By contrast, the trip looked on the short side for Silverburn who stayed on strongly to finish fourth. His future has always looked to be over fences with anything he did over hurdles being a bonus. With that in mind, this was a good effort, especially given that he prefers slightly softer ground
Aran Concerto was sent off the well supported favourite, with the weight of Irish money behind him, but he could only finish fifth after travelling strongly for much of the race. He found little when asked for an effort as a series of jumping errors seemed to take their toll. He is probably better than he showed here and, given his lofty reputation, should still be a horse to follow next year.
My Turn Now, Imperial Commander, Scotsirish all ran with credit and are also worth noting for the future. Scotsirish, in particular, could turn into a top class chaser in time.
2006 Review
A real Festival highlight in recent times, the Sun Alliance Hurdle has a habit of producing great winners and this year was certainly no exception. However, unlike previous victors such as Istabraq and Hardy Eustace, the main protagonists here look destined to shine over fences, rather than making top class hurdlers.
Trainer Noel Meade looked to have a strong hand coming into the race and he will have been delighted not only with NICANOR’S win but also Mr Noise’s effort back in fourth.
The ground had definitely dried out over night and the faster surface not only brought about an improvement in the winner, it probably also inconvenienced the red hot favourite, Denman, who was slightly one paced back in second. Nicanor certainly showed the better turn of foot, having travelled supremely well throughout the race. The first two were nicely clear.
There could be some fascinating clashes to come over fences between the front two, and there is little doubt that Denman will probably appreciate further in good time. He has some engine and over this sort of trip may need slightly softer ground to be at his best.
The mare, Refinement, was staying on well at the end having been ridden well off the pace. Third place was probably a fair reflection of her ability, but she lacks the scope of the horses who finished in front of her.
Mr Noise, on the other hand, will relish the switch to fences and could close the gap on Nicanor and Denman next year, although he may prove best over a slightly shorter trip.
The right horses filled the frame, giving the form a very solid look, but there were also career best efforts from outsiders Mr Pinpoint and Rimsky, although the latter looks a tricky ride.
After the race, Nicanor received a quote of 10-1 for next year’s Sun Alliance Chase, whilst Denman was 14-1 for the same event. The West Awake, in 1988, was the last horse to do the double. Both horses are sure to have the Gold Cup as their long term aim.