Neptune Investment Management Leamington Novices' Hurdle

2.45 Warwick
Neptune Investment Management Leamington Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £14,252

Pick: Mossley (win)

Court In Motion: Always been highly regarded by his connections and has started building on all that promise and more with win at Exeter and second in Challow Hurdle last time; Goes on heavy ground and that may give him key edge.

Mossley: Hasn’t come off bridle to land Worcester bumper and 2m4f novice hurdle at Huntingdon, and it looked set to be the same sort until he showed impressive attitude when taking 3m Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham last month; Encounters different ground here (raced only on good/good to firm under rules) but was running big race when falling at last in Ireland on heavy ground and big chance here today.

Jetnova: Has gotten better with experience, landing 2 novice hurdles at Plumpton (latest one very good race for the track) and worth his chance here; Has to improve again on that but ever chance for trainer in real form.

Lamb’s Cross: Has been largely overlooked considering that he made impressive start over hurdles when winning Worcester maiden hurdle by 10 lengths; Untested on this ground and looks stable second string, but don’t be surprised to see a big run from him.

Moon Indigo: Wasn’t disgraced trying to give away a big penalty to useful hurdler Lethal Glaze last time, who went on to run a big race in decent hurdle at Cheltenham next time out; Yard won this in 2004/2005 and not ruled out.

Safran De Cotte: Unbeaten in 2 bumpers (impressive in testing conditions at Haydock) and made perfect start over hurdles in 17f Bangor novice event; Well beaten in hot Cheltenham race last time and while he remains with potential he’s unappealing.

Maxdelas: Made an extremely impressive debut when winning at Uttoexter, travelling well in heavy ground and putting more than the official winning margin of three lengths between his pursuers between the last 2 hurdles (eased down); Same ground conditions today and can be expected to go well.

Neptune Equester: Completed hat-trick over fences in 2010 and remains with potential over hurdles after encouraging run at Catterick but well beaten last time and has a lot of ground to make up in any case.

VERDICT: A good renewal which has 2 proven performers and plenty of useful ones waiting in the wings. Court In Motion is proven on heavy ground and is the pick on his Challow second last month but MOSSLEY impressed hugely when winning a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time and won’t be found wanting for a battle today. There’s a worry about the ground but on his only point run in Ireland he seemed to handle it fine. Maxedlas is the preferred of the rest, getting 7lbs from the big 2 at the head of the market.