Talk The Talk
Noted here after he fell at the final flight when in front in the Grade 1 Future Champions' Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival, Talk The Talk is worthy of note again after the performance that he put up in winning the Tattersalls Novice Hurdle back at Leopardstown on Sunday. He did really well to win. They went a sedate pace, as evidenced by a finishing speed of 113%, and Talk The Talk was held up well off it. He travelled well throughout though and, moved to the outside by JJ Slevin on the run around the home turn, he finished off his race strongly to just get up and beat Ballyfad by a short head.
Trainer Joseph O'Brien's comments after the race were really interesting. He said that they were always going to ride him patiently here, even though they recognised that that tactic might get him beaten. He said that it was all about the future with him, and not just about this season, but about his long-term future. And it was noticeable that JJ Slevin didn't go for everything on him until very late in the race.
Tenth with a half a mile to run, the Born To Sea gelding was still only seventh passing the two-furlong marker. He showed a turn of foot as well as a really willing attitude to get up and win. He is versatile too in terms of ground conditions, he handled the heavy ground here well, but he won his maiden on good to yielding ground at Limerick in October and it was no softer than yielding when he ran that big race at Leopardstown over Christmas. All going well between now and then, he should be a big player in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Leopardstown, 1st February 2026
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