Talk The Talk

Joseph O’Brien’s horse was desperately unlucky when we had him in side in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Christmas.  He came there to win his race before falling at the last.  He actually over-jumped the hurdle, he probably had lots of energy left.

That is strong novice hurdling form, the winner Skylight Hustle could be top class, and the second and third, Carrigmoornaspruce and Love Me Tender, are high-class novices.  The fifth horse, The Passing Wife, whose form ties in with last Saturday’s Grade 2 River Don Hurdle winner Thedeviluno, was impressive in winning his maiden hurdle at Punchestown last week.

Talk The Talk handles soft ground too, he was impressive in winning a Grade 3 contest at Fairyhouse at the end of November on soft ground, and he is the one they all have to beat today in my book.

King Rasko Grey looked good in winning at Limerick over Christmas, and the runner-up, Shuttle Diplomacy, ran out an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle at Naas last Sunday.  He is a danger.  

As is Ballyfad.  Reportedly he isn’t impressive at home, but he showed a searing turn of foot to win his maiden hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas.  He was almost a second faster than the next fastest horse through the final furlong, and the runner-up Leader D’Allier was a facile winner of his maiden hurdle at Punchestown last week.  I just fear that the ground will be too soft for Ballyfad to be able to unleash that turn of foot.