“He’s a very exciting horse!” Joseph O’Brien has a novice to follow

Joseph O'Brien celebrates winning the Irish Gold Cup with Edwulf

You can get all the info you need on Joseph O’Brien’s runners for the upcoming campaign in Racing Post’s Stable Tour. It’s available for Racing Post Members’ Club subscribers in full on the website and will prove an invaluable guide for this season.

As always seems to be the case, there is a wealth of talent across Ireland in the novice hurdle division. There is one particular horse for the yard of Joseph O’Brien who could be more exciting that most. The winner of two of his four bumper runs, he will embark on a hurdling career shortly. He looks a class act and likely to feature highly in our horse racing tips through the season.

Bet £10, Get £20 In Free Bets

New customers only. T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org #ad

“I was very pleased with his first run after some time off.”

Patience has been the byword for connections of Eric Bloodaxe so far. He was a perfect 2/2 to start his career in December 2019 before suffering an injury at the Dublin Racing Festival in February 2020. That meant he missed the Cheltenham Festival that year and the entire following campaign, re-appearing at Punchestown at the end of April 2021.

Given that he had been off for 452-days, it looked merely a fact finding mission for connections. Fourth to Kilcruit, beaten thirteen and a half lengths, it was a return to action that had his trained very pleased.

He had beaten Ferny Hollow on his career debut. That rival had gone on to win the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival so it was very much a case of what could’ve been for Eric Bloodaxe. He has plenty of size about him so should take to hurdles like a duck to water.

Softer ground is going to be to his liking as the season goes on, liable to be seen back at Leopardstown at Christmas and at the Dublin Racing Festival all being well. While Cheltenham is a long way off, early shows of 50/1 for the Supreme and 40/1 for the Ballymore are likely to tempt many looking to get a big price in the portfolio.

His bumper campaign showed that he has the class to be a Cheltenham Festival quality performer. Without a doubt, he is a very exciting horse for the season ahead.

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.