Classic Novices Hurdle 2013

3.00 Cheltenham

Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £17,085

Advice: 3 pts Coneygree w/o The New One (5/6 Ladbrokes)

At Fishers Cross: Took hurdles record to 3 wins from 5 starts when completing hat trick in good style over 3m here latest (pulled well clear of runner up), supplementing easy winners at Ffos Las and Newbury; Clearly improving at rate of knots but this demands yet more of him against serious opposition and others appeal more.

Coneygree: Half-brother to Carruthers (same connections) who showed similar qualities when romping Grade 2 here over 2m4f (soft) and followed up in style when winning 3m contest in style here latest, giving impressive beating to highly rated chaser reverting to hurdles; Should go well here, with ground the softer the better for him.

The New One: Impressive bumper performer, only defeat coming at Cheltenham Festival, and even then he was a ready winner over very classy My Tent Or Yours; Unbeaten since, deeply impressive in three hurdles wins including novice hurdle here and Grade 2 at Warwick by 16 lengths (did so easily); This toughest hurdling assignment but has bags more to give; Won twice on soft ground.

Whisper: Bare form of impressive bumper and novice hurdle wins are no more than fair but impression he created suggested he could hold his hand in far tougher company and could still be open to any amount of improvement; Should do himself credit here even if not upto best.

Fiddlers Bid: Plenty of promise in bumpers, not least when destroying his field at Ascot in November; Went well for long way on hurdling debut and should come on from that but this a different ball game.

VERDICT: A very strong renewal with two of the most impressive middle/long distance hurdlers this season meeting two of the most progressive. Any one of Whisper, At Fishers Cross, CONEYGREE and Tthe New One can be given a big chance, with preference for the latter assuming that the ground doesn't turn extremely testing, although his rival, twice a Grade 2 winner this season at this track, should make him work very hard and looks to be a rock solid bet without the favorite  especially with the deep ground sure to suit him and his aggressive front running style today.