Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle – Analysis The Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle takes place on Ladies Day, Wednesday, March 13 and has attracted 119 entries, 35 of whom are trained in Ireland. Currently heading the market for the two mile, five furlong contest is Pont Alexandre, one of 12 entries for Ireland’s champion Jump trainer Willie Mullins. The six-year-old is unbeaten in three starts and was the effortless 11-length winner of a Grade Two contest at Leopardstown on January 27, having previously landed the Grade One Navan Novice Hurdle in December. Also among Mullins’ possible starters is Champagne Fever, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at The Festival in 2012. Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham on January 26 saw several leading contenders go head to head in the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle. In that contest it was At Fishers Cross who prevailed by a neck from The New One with Coneygree 12 lengths back in third. Another horse who has won a race in the series sponsored by Neptune Investment Management is Taquin Du Seuil, one of five entries for Jonjo O’Neill. The six-year-old was successful in the Neptune-sponsored contest at Sandown on December 7 before going on to register a comfortable victory in the Grade One Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury on December 29. Oliver Sherwood was successful in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle with The West Awake (1987) and Rebel Song (1988) and could be back in the big time this season with Puffin Billy. The five-year-old is unbeaten in four starts and was last seen out when impressively landing a Grade Two contest at Ascot in December. There are 35 Irish-trained entries in total. In addition to the Willie Mullins-trained dozen, the leading hopes include Rule The World, trained by Mouse Morris, who sauntered to a facile 16-length success at Naas on January 6 and Don Cossack, who started odds-on favourite in the Grade One contest won by Pont Alexandre at Navan in December but was beaten when falling at the last. David Pipe is the trainer with the highest number of entries, 14 in total, including the smart Gevrey Chambertin while Nicky Henderson, who saddled the highly-impressive Simonsig to victory in 2012, has eight to choose from including Whisper, who won his first two starts before finishing fourth behind At Fishers Cross on Festival Trials Day. Another trainer well represented is Newmarket-based John Ferguson. His eight entries include the 2009 Cesarewitch scorer Darley Sun, who has yet to run over hurdles. Runners and Form
THE NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICESâ HURDLE Class 1, Grade 1, Total Prize Fund £120,000, 2.05pm, Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Old Course, two miles and five furlongs. For novice four-year-olds and upwards. Weights: four-year-olds 10st 12lb; five-year-olds and upwards 11st 7lb. Allowances: fillies & mares 7lb. Entries closed Tuesday, January 29, 2013. Entries revealed Thursday, January 31 (119 entries). Scratchings deadline February 19. Six-day confirmation stage March 7. Final declaration stage 10am, Tuesday, March 12. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, January 28. May not include some overseas form. Form Horse Age Owner Trainer 2 AAIM TO PROSPER (IRE) 9 CGA Racing Partnership 2 Paul Nicholls ABBEY COURT (IRE) 5 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson 3-12154 ALLY CASCADE (IRE) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE 1111 ANNIE POWER (IRE) 5 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 3/-11F ANONIS (GER) 7 Barry Connell Mags Mullins IRE 25-1111 AT FISHERS CROSS (IRE) 6 J P McManus Rebecca Curtis 1-11 BALLYCASEY (IRE) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 1-14 BALNASLOW (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE 5-3F651 BLISSFUL MOMENT (USA) 6 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE 324112 BONDAGE (IRE) 6 Bodhran Makers Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE 11343 BONISLAND 5 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 240-13 BRIGHT NEW DAWN (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Dessie Hughes IRE 11 BROADWAY BUFFALO (IRE) 5 The Broadway Partnership David Pipe 1 BUTHELEZI (USA) 5 Bloomfields John Ferguson 031222 CAID DU BERLAIS (FR) 4 Donlon, MacDonald, C Barber & Paul Nicholls Paul Nicholls 261311 CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) 5 Timeform Betfair Racing Club Ltd Gordon Elliott IRE 041 CAYMAN ISLANDS 5 Bloomfields John Ferguson 111-123 CHAMPAGNE FEVER (IRE) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 1 CHAT ROOM 5 Bloomfields John Ferguson 1-1 CHATTERBOX (IRE) 5 The Not Afraid Partnership 2 Nicky Henderson 211/- CHELTENIAN (FR) 7 Roger Brookhouse Philip Hobbs 661 CHIBERTA KING 7 The Pink Hat Racing Partnership Andrew Balding 4 COCKTAILS AT DAWN 5 Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat Nicky Henderson 10-1113 CONEYGREE 6 The Max Partnership Mark Bradstock DARLEY SUN (IRE) 7 Bloomfields John Ferguson 2-1 DEFY LOGIC (IRE) 6 J P McManus Paul Nolan IRE 5111-1F DON COSSACK (GER) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 04-212 DRUM VALLEY 5 D J Burke & T Meehan Oliver Sherwood 2112P DURSEY SOUND (IRE) 5 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill 3-2112 EASTER DAY (FR) 5 Barry Fulton, Broughton Thermal Insulation Paul Nicholls 1-213 EDUARD (IRE) 5 Kingdom Taverns Ltd Nicky Richards P ELECTROLYSER (IRE) 8 Mr and Mrs P Hargreaves Nicky Henderson FAMOUSANDFEARLESS (IRE) 5 The Bravo Partnership David Pipe 25/05-23 FAULTLESS FEELINGS (IRE) 7 Mrs Peter Prowting Martin Keighley FLYING CROSS (IRE) 6 Robin Geffen David Pipe 124 GAS LINE BOY (IRE) 7 Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club Philip Hobbs 14-111 GEVREY CHAMBERTIN (FR) 5 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III David Pipe 112131 GLENS MELODY (IRE) 5 Mrs F McStay Willie Mullins IRE 132 GOLD BULLET (IRE) 5 Fitri Hay Tom Taaffe IRE 10-1P I SHOT THE SHERIFF (IRE) 6 Malcolm Denmark David Pipe 40-3110 IFANDBUTWHYNOT (IRE) 7 Claire Hollowood & Henry Dean David O'Meara 1 JUST A PAR (IRE) 6 Paul Barber & Graham Roach Paul Nicholls 232104 KATKEAU (FR) 6 Prof C Tisdall, J A Gent, R Wilkin David Pipe 41 KING HELISSIO (IRE) 5 Jane Gerard-Pearse Neil Mulholland 12F KINGS PALACE (IRE) 5 Drew, George, Johnson Partnership David Pipe 345 LE REVE (IRE) 5 Pat Betts Lucy Wadham LECALE LAD (IRE) 6 Robert Kirkland Tim Vaughan 0-F1 LEGAL EXIT (IRE) 6 Mary Samworth Jim Culloty IRE 32 LIENOSUS (IRE) 7 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams 11-21 LORD WISHES (IRE) 6 Leeds Plywood and Doors Ltd James Ewart 34116 LORD OF HOUSE (GER) 5 Good Lord Partnership Charlie Mann 14 LORDOFTHEHOUSE (IRE) 5 St Albans Bloodstock LLP Tom George MAC'S RETURN (IRE) 6 John Hales Paul Nicholls 00-03r1 MALA BEACH (IRE) 5 C Jones Gordon Elliott IRE 100-212 MANY CLOUDS (IRE) 6 Trevor Hemmings Oliver Sherwood 05-1 MASTER OF THE GAME (IRE) 7 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin Hughes Nicky Henderson 12-211 MELODIC RENDEZVOUS 7 Cash For Honours Jeremy Scott 61P MINELLA DEFINITELY (IRE) 6 Wellcroomed T/A eyewearoutlet.co.uk Neil Mulholland 2-142 MINSK (IRE) 5 Barry Connell Dessie Hughes IRE 242-411 MORNING ROYALTY (IRE) 6 Eileen Milligan James Moffatt 31114-1 MOSCOW MANNON (IRE) 7 J M Flanagan Brian Hamilton IRE 2/1213-1 MOZOLTOV 7 Martin Lynch Willie Mullins IRE 3-4511 MR WATSON (IRE) 6 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill 1120-2 NEW YEAR'S EVE 5 Bloomfields John Ferguson 311 O'FAOLAINS BOY (IRE) 6 C Trembath & R Hyde Rebecca Curtis 333- OFF THE WALL (IRE) 6 Malcolm Denmark David Pipe 1 PAY THE KING (IRE) 6 Robin Geffen Paul Nicholls 31 PINE CREEK 5 Bloomfields John Ferguson 3-31121 PIQUE SOUS (FR) 6 Supreme Horse Racing Club Willie Mullins IRE 111 PONT ALEXANDRE (GER) 5 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 1 PRIDEOFTHECASTLE (IRE) 6 B J C Drew David Pipe 1-111 PUFFIN BILLY (IRE) 5 T D J Syder Oliver Sherwood 2-11 RED DEVIL BOYS (IRE) 6 Bloomfields John Ferguson 111 ROAD TO RICHES (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE 1 ROCKNROLLRAMBO (IRE) 6 Paul Frank Barry Anthony Middleton 106102 ROMEO AMERICO (IRE) 6 Mark Adams Seamus Mullins 23 ROYAL BOY (FR) 6 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson 1/410-55 ROYAL GUARDSMAN (IRE) 6 Camilla & Rosie Nock Susan Nock 1211 RULE THE WORLD 6 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE SAIL BY THE SEA (IRE) 5 Roger Brookhouse David Pipe 2 SAUSALITO SUNRISE (IRE) 5 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs 1444-12 SEEDSMAN 6 Christopher Spence & Partners Charles Egerton 1112U6 SEEFOOD (IRE) 6 Lyreen Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE 112311 SHE RANKS ME (IRE) 6 Roger O'Byrne Donald McCain 111-311 SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) 6 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill 2/-2 SIDNEY MELBOURNE (USA) 6 CGA Racing Partnership 5 Paul Nicholls 4U35/- SIR PITT 6 Gordon Kendrick Andy Hobbs 21-2212 SIZING GOLD (IRE) 6 Alan & Ann Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE 1-4r SOME ARTICLE (IRE) 5 J P McManus Thomas Mullins IRE 6101 SUPERIOR QUALITY (IRE) 8 The Stewkley Shindiggers Partnership Charlie Longsdon F5-1211 TANERKO EMERY (FR) 7 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Egan Waste Ltd David Pipe 1211 TAQUIN DU SEUIL (FR) 6 Martin Broughton & Friends 1 Jonjo O'Neill 61-1112 THE NEW ONE (IRE) 5 Mrs S Such Nigel Twiston-Davies 10-2211 THE ROMFORD PELE (IRE) 6 Trembath, Hill, Outhart, Fletcher Rebecca Curtis 5 THIMAAR (USA) 5 Jon Glews, 24-7, D & Fred Lockwood Donald McCain 10 TOMINATOR 6 Patsy Byrne Jonjo O'Neill 21 TOP GAMBLE (IRE) 5 Walters Plant Hire Ltd David Pipe 12/-1 TOUCH THE EDEN (FR) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 5/1/-1 TWIGLINE (FR) 6 Hammer & Trowel Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE 11 TWO ROCKERS (IRE) 6 Masterson Holdings Limited Alan King 3P4-234 UBAK (FR) 5 Nick Peacock Gary Moore 1-12 UMPACT (FR) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE 1-11 UN ATOUT (FR) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE 5-11 UN BON P'TIT GARS (FR) 5 K Alexander/ R Watts Nick Williams 0-2321 UNIKA LA RECONCE (FR) 5 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 1-1 UNIQUE DE COTTE (FR) 5 J P McManus David Pipe 1F1 UP AND GO (FR) 5 Tim Leslie Donald McCain 11-1P22 UP TO SOMETHING (FR) 5 E M G Roberts Charlie Longsdon 532141 UTOPIE DES BORDES (FR) 5 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson 10-12 VENTURE CAPITAL (IRE) 6 J P McManus Philip Fenton IRE 205-256 VILLAGE VIC (IRE) 6 Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs 2 VIVA STEVE (IRE) 5 Camilla Radford Mick Channon 111/2-12 WAAHEB (USA) 6 J P McManus Dermot Weld IRE 132 WAKE YOUR DREAMS (IRE) 5 Pam Beardmore & Alan Baxter Jennie Candlish WESTERN WARHORSE (IRE) 5 Roger Brookhouse David Pipe 1-14 WHISPER (FR) 5 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nicky Henderson 1 WHISPERING GALLERY 7 Bloomfields John Ferguson 3-63414 WINGTIPS (FR) 5 Sheila Moffett Tony Martin IRE ZUIDER ZEE (GER) 6 Bloomfields John Ferguson 119 entries 35 Irish-trained
Still think THE NEW ONE is serious contender in this. I wouldn't look too much into the result on Saturday, in fact i think it enhanced it's reputation. Getting out stayed on heavy ground is not the end of world. Even more so when the winner won't even be contending this and with better ground in March hopefully.
I could be completely wrong of course (usually am) but I think THE NEW ONE will not progress so much as some of the others and I expect him to be run out of it up the hill (assuming he is still in contention).
Personally I think his form amounts to little in terms of being a favourite in a race of this nature. Beating Village Vic, and a eeak Warwick field left much to be desired for me. He was a shade unlucky LTO and his defeat is actually his best form. Ponte Alexandre much the same- beating Our Vinnie (a nailed on 3 miler) and the De Bromhead horse.. They are visually impressive horses but I suspect both will make better chasers in the end. That said, there is not much out there that has bettered their form yet either. The novice hurdle scene is always tricky. We will know a lot more just prior to the festival. Difficult for me to pick one at the moment, especially with many horses entered in multiple races.
I am glad to see Chatterbox in the entries, taken some nice prices about him. I think whilst Tony McCoy wasn't at his best on My Tent Or Yours, he was close enough if the horse was good enough that day. He was getting getting 5lb that day but was good value for it in my opinion. Only his first start over hurdles and plenty of scope for more improvement. With My Tent Or Yours missing from the entries I think he will be Nicky Hendersons best hope in this race and will not be anywhere near 20/1 if he lines up on the day. Of the others Taquin De Seuil has some good form and is likely to turn up here, there are question marks over a lot of the fancied horses and I would take a chance on the unexposed Chatterbox improving past these.
Honestly, I would take bumper form against My Tent Or Yours with a pinch of salt because he is a buzzed up, too keen little so and so. We saw it again in soft ground when beaten by Chatterbox- his stamina is a massive question mark, because he refuses to drop the bit. Geraghty said he was an exciting horse this year and was amazed he finished 2nd at Aintree despite pulling for most if not all of the two miles. If he did calm down and settle, he would be a serious animal. As I say though, I'm looking at the current market, and I would be more than happy I'd covered TNO at 16/1 like yourself as it means you dont need to factor in his price any more. I'm, still not sure how to take him Stick. He looked imperious until about half a furlong out at Cheltenham. I just wonder if he will find one or two too good- I'm not a massive fan of that Aintree bumper form to be honest- it looks weak and much of it rests on your opinion of My Tent Or Yours. I think he is a potential top notcher, but I suspect that will be next season. Like I say though- what do you take him on with at this stage? Anyone you have earmarked as a danger?
He only beat him 1 1/4 lengths getting 6lb and I think MTOY will never reach hs potential until he settles like Toppy said. I am more than happy to take him on with Chatterbox who beat him further receiving less weight who is 5 times the price. I think Chatterbox has been overlooked in this market as he is open to massive improvement with just one run over hurdles. Hope he lines up on the day as I will be able to lay off my bet easily especially in Mr Needle has a good first day. I know the comparison between the bumper and the hurdle race isn't exactly brilliant. However at the prices and with softer than usual conditions likely I am happy to take on TNO and Pont Alexandre.
Puffin Billy. Super formlines all over the place and really rated by his connections. He is the one I really fear.
I love Puffin Billy, but my dosh is down on .... Rule The World 12-1. His win at Naas in a grade 2 was spectacularly impressive - he probably didn't beat much but he'll do for me
I wish I knew which race Melodic Rendezvous is going for. I think he will take some beating in either the Supreme or this. The Neptun is shaping up to be one of the races of the festival
The ante-post lad in ‘The Weekender’ obviously thinks that Melodic Rendezvous will be heading to the Supreme as he tipped him up for that race last week! I see those bookie chappies are going a whopping 40/1 re Mr Henderson’s Cocktails At Dawn. My regular readers will recall how much I like this horse and he should be out again on the track, for his second start over hurdles, in the very near future. Cocktails At Dawn is viewed very much as a chasing type but I tell you what people if the old boy wins well on his next outing then you won’t get anywhere near 40’s ever again! Furthermore, it needs to be remembered that Mr Henderson entered the horse, at the 5 day stage, for the recent 20 Furlong Grade 2 novices event at Cheltenham on ‘Trials Day’ so he obviously thinks he is not merely ‘marking time’ until going over the big ‘uns next term.
