Open Meeting 2011 - Hyde Novice's Hurdle

3.30 Cheltenham

Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Hyde Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £12,244

Advice: 1.5 pts win Fingal Bay (evs general), 0.5 pts each/way Polisky (8/1 general)

Fingal Bay: Marked down as a hurdler to follow when taking home to win Exeter bumper by 22 lengths and backed that up when easing home to win Grade 2 at Chepstow by 6 lengths, hurdling fluently throughout; Should take some stopping.

Grandads Horse: Mopping up some weak races over the past couple of months but hard to deny the impression that he’s made when doing so, making him an intriguing choice here; This far harder.

Letter Of Credit: Porgressive/Slightly useful in bumpers last season, winning at Limerick and Gowran before sixth in Grade 1 at Punchestown; Disconcerting that it took him so long to break his duck over hurdles but did so impressively at Galway and step up in trip should really prove a bonus.

African Broadway: Sprung a shock at Newbury under cover of god when running out a 16 length winner of Newbury bumper, and much like Fingal Bay, backed that up with impressive win at Chepstown in maiden hurdle;

Barbatos: Took an age to bring some of his French form (only three lengths behind Spirit Son there) but took his time to get back to form; Kept up to work to win maiden hurdle at Aintree lastest and needs more here.

Sivola De Sivola: Well clear of runner up when second to Spirit Son in January before sub part effort against Bobs Worth; Won his last two well but this a massive step up and needs to step up to the plate.

Tour Des Champs: Sure fire winner from first win over hurdles, when always jumping well bar hitting two out massively; Form of that race nothing close to this but plenty to like about him and bold show no surprise.

Well Regarded: Perfect start for new yard when winning in clear cut style at Fontwell but couldn’t handle the penalty at Exeter which should mean that Graded company is beyond him.

Bevnott: Stayed on really strongly for one with a questionable attitude (not straightforward in bumpers) when winning his hurdle but 34 lengths behind Tour Des Champs on Stratford form and shouldn’t be reversing that.

Polisky: No match for Supreme Novices third Sprinter Sacre at Ascot but ran well nevertheless and and Grade 2 came too soon for him at Aintree; Step up in trip might help and has a good each/way shout on best form.

VERDICT: An interesting race which should provide a good winner. There’s a worry that FINGAL BAY’S Grade 2 win didn’t contain much strength in depth but he could hardly have done it any better and should come on for the run and hurdling experience. African Broadway, in many ways such a similar type to the winner, and Polisky, should go well.