Talk The Talk seeking Grade One compensation at Leopardstown
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 31 Jan 2026
Joseph O’Brien is excited about what the future may hold for Talk The Talk as he bids for Grade One redemption in Sunday’s Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle.
Supplemented into the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas, he was coming to win the race when stumbling and falling after the last.
O’Brien holds the five-year-old in the highest regard and he looks set to go off favourite in a race which has unearthed subsequent Cheltenham scorers Samcro, Klassical Dream, Appreciate It, Sir Gerhard, Ballyburn and Kopek Des Bordes over the years.
“He’s in good shape and we’re looking forward to getting him back on track in what looks a very good novice hurdle,” said O’Brien.
“We’re excited about this horse’s future and we’re looking forward to the weekend as the next step.”
Daryl Jacob, racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, added: “He’s improving with every run. Obviously he tipped up at the last the last day but what we learned then is he’s getting better at a rate of knots and Joseph is a great trainer at bringing a horse along.
“I think whatever he does on Sunday he will improve again, as I don’t think he will mind a bit of spring ground later in the season. From our point of view there is nothing but positives.”
Willie Mullins fields four runners, with King Rasko Grey the choice of Paul Townend over Cork winner The Reverend and Le Divin Enfant, while Mark Walsh rides JP McManus’ Davy Crockett, a son of Annie Power.
Sean Graham, racing manager for The Reverend’s owner Tony Bloom, said: “I spoke to Paul Townend after the race and he was really happy with him. He said you could tell it was his first run over hurdles and you can tell he’s a novice, but he certainly wasn’t backing off them.
“He was running towards them and looking for the next hurdle which is a good sign and shows he’s not scared. I think he will handle the ground OK, it just depends what he is up against.”
Davy Crockett won a bumper and two novice hurdles at the start of the campaign but despite being the son of a Champion Hurdle winner, he needs to take his form to an altogether different level.
McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “He won a bumper and two novice hurdles in the summer nicely. This looks like a big jump in class for him, though. Willie seems to be happy with him so we’ll hope for the best.”
Mullins holds an incredibly strong hand in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase over two miles and five furlongs, with Townend’s mount Final Demand leading his three challengers.
The rider told Betway: “I guess he didn’t blow anyone away in Limerick, but he still won. I think he under-performed on the day, but I’m not sure he or the race ever got competitive enough to perform either.
“He jumped fine and got valuable experience, jumping wise. I also have a brilliant memory of him around Navan in his beginners’ chase, he really excited me that day, and I can’t wait to get back up on him.
“We also have Kaid d’Authie and Jimmy Du Seuil – they both have good form for sure – but I love Final Demand and I couldn’t get off him for anything in the race.”
Mullins’ second string is the McManus-owned Kaid d’Authie, who gave Kitzbuhel a fright on their respective chasing debuts.
“He’s a promising young horse. He won nicely last time out at Fairyhouse when he beat a decent horse of Gordon’s (Elliott, Wingmen),” said Berry.
“The time before he had run really well against another of Willie’s (Kitzbuhel).
“He’s in good form and we’re hoping for a good run.”
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