Hardy Eustace won this back in 2003 before of course going on to back to back Champion Hurdle glory. One horse that this year is trying to emulate the great Hardy Eustace is 2011 runner up Rock on Ruby who defends his Champion Hurdle crown on day one. Peddlers Cross was of course just beaten by Hurricane Fly in the 2011 Champion after victory in the Neptune. One last previous winner to name drop is the current odds on Arkle favourite Simonsig who won this last year at a canter.
But who could possibly come out of this field and go onto further glory, out of novice company, next year or years to come. Here seems as good a point as any to begin our preview of the 2013 Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle.
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| Pont Alexandre - Unbeaten in two starts in Ireland for Willie Mullins |
Last time out at Leopardstown they didn't see which way he went doing it all the hard way and galloping his rivals into the ground. At one point it did look as if we may get a race when Sizing Gold was closing up, but when Ruby asked for a little more he duly obliged and won by 11 lengths. One of the unknown quantities about him is how he will handle the fast ground. We know he loves heavy ground with both victories coming in the very testing conditions, but that is nothing near what we will have in two weeks time. The only view we can have on that subject is our own and the fact Willie Mullins thinks he will handle it just fine.
In all, the style of his victories have been one worthy of being a Festival favourite, but there are doubts about him. Naturally you have to be a little worried about the ground coming into a race of this standard, having never experienced faster ground. However for me a bigger worry is what he will be like without the lead, both races he has made all and had an easy lead. You can bet your last penny a couple more in the field will want to go on with the running here and worry him early on. If he were to get to the lead there is always the danger of him setting the race up for one of his rivals. Finally you have to question his form, visually he has been impressive, but in truth he hasn't beaten any world beaters. Saying that you'd be a fool not to respect the manner of his victories and he clearly has some engine, earning a comparison from Ruby Walsh to Denman. A key player but he will need to improve here and connections have made it clear that next year is what it's all about. One to avoid. (5/2)
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| Naas winner Rule The World |
Rule The World - Mouse Morris has a few hopes for Cheltenham, led by First Lieutenant in the either the Ryanair or the Gold Cup. Rule The World is in no way without a chance at all though after back to back wins the last two times out on the course.
He has been successful in 3 out of his 4 runs, beaten only by the exciting Our Vinnie who is entered for the Albert Bartlett. This gives him a straight form link with Pont Alexandre, one he comes off a lot worse from. We can forgive that however as that was his only try over 3 miles and was only touched off a head by the stamina laden Our Vinnie.
It is his last two runs for which he has gained great recognition though, firstly he beat a top class chaser in Joncol on his return from injury, which is useful form but nothing better. Then last time out at Naas he handed out a 16 length beating to Minsk with Champagne Fever a further 24 lengths behind him. Champagne Fever clearly wasn't right for that race and has since bounced back with a victory in the Deloitte.
So what is all the rage about? Personally I'm not too sure myself, he has beaten average performers well but will need to improve a lot to win a Neptune. He will also need to prove he can act on good ground, as like Pont Alexandre, he has never experienced it before. For me he is way too short in the market and unless we see further improvement he is one to dismiss. (10/1)
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| The New One is described as Nigel Twiston-Davies' best Festival chance |
The New One - Nigel Twiston-Davies has gone on record as saying his novice is the best chance he has of a winner in the 2013 Festival. It's understandable when you see the manner of his victories this year so far. But lets take a more in depth look at his performances this season.
He started off early at Newton Abbott in a very easy race which he should win easily, he did just that when beating Roger Beantown by 26 lengths. Then he was tested for the first time over hurdles when taking on the smart Village Vic (above) and winning by two and three quarter lengths. However Village Vic has been very disappointing this season with this effort being his best run so far. Next up was a Neptune trial race, the same race won last year by Cotton Mill. I'm afraid the only thing that was Grade two about the race was the name as the standard was very poor. However credit where its due, The New One still had a job to do and he won with the minimum of fuss. Onto trials day and his first hurdles defeat in another grade 2. He went down by a neck to the progressive At Fishers Cross for Rebecca Curtis when he was once again odds on. Despite the very testing ground you would still have hoped he could prevail against two horses running over the wrong distance. He was outstayed up the hill however and Sam Twiston-Davies held his hands up and said he could have given a better ride.
After trials day connections have said he went for home too early which is probably right, but they have said a more worrying thing. Both trainer and jockey have said he has one kick at the finish which they intend on using to full effect. But is that really what you want your horse having for a festival race, especially in what is likely to be a fast pace. Pont Alexandre, Rule The World and Taquin Du Seuil all look as if they will stay further so surely a good clip is guaranteed. Not one to be with at all in my mind, also if you are into laying he is one of the lays of the Festival. (4/1)
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| Taquin Du Seuil (far side) jumping past Le Bec (near side) |
Taquin Du Seuil - From one of the Lays of the meeting to one of the bets of the meeting in the Jonjo O'Neill French Import Taquin Du Seuil. Unfortunately pricewise put him up in the last week making his price crash in to around 11/2. I hope you backed him when put up on here before his Challow success at 16/1 and are enjoying the build up like me. He has looked a very classy recruit to the hurdling game since joining from France and has hardly put a foot wrong.
His life in England started out at Uttoxeter in a Maiden Hurdle in which he won hard held when beating a nice horse of Charlie Longsdon's by 15 lengths. His jumping that day was a bit novice like at times but once they picked up the pace he was jumping like a natural. He was then handed the impossible task of giving hot Supreme Novices favourite My Tent Or Yours 5 pounds at Ascot. However he gave it a real good try and over the last it was still in the balance before going down by one and three quarter lengths. It was clear a step up in trip was needed which is exactly what happened at Sandown (pictured above). This was arguably his most taking performance when beating the high regarded Le Bec from the Emma Lavelle yard. He won easily by 6 lengths that day but in truth it could have been as many as Tony McCoy allowed when sauntering up the hill. Next stop was his first victory in a Grade 1 as he took in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury. This was at the peak of the bad ground near the turn of the year and it took some guts and a lot of class to keep going in the mud. Eventually he beat Easter Day by 9 lengths who has since won at Huntingdon in a listed race.
He hasn't run since that day which is a very wise move from connections as it was a very tough and demanding slog round Newbury. The last thing you want to do to a 6 year old novice is bottom them out by running them too much and being greedy. One last positive is that he looks like the only genuine hurdler out of the top three in the market (Pont Alexandre and The New One). A very strong bet for the race and definitely one to keep on the right side of. (7/1) (Put up ante-post at 16/1)
There we have it guys, the leading rivals in the Neptune run through and picked apart. Let me know what races you want to see previewed next on my twitter account, @lukeyboy1325. I look forward to hearing from you.
Win - Taquin Du Seuil - 16/1 (Ante-Post)
Happy Punting
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