Deloitte Novice Hurdle 2013

2.15 Leopardstown

Deloitte Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner €51,999

Bright New Dawn: Unable to show the significant promise of his two bumper runs in good company on first hurling start but showed he’s a horse of some talent when handing out ready beating to Ned Buntline at Fairyhouse; Well beaten by Jezki here at Christmas but returning to the trip over which he broke his maiden a lively outsider too.

Champagne Fever: The outstanding bumper horse of last season, compensating for Leopardstown reverse in emphatic fashion before winning Cheltenham and Punchestown bumpers last year, showing remarkable attitude and impressive range of speed and stamina (won from the front on good at Cheltenham, and destroyed others in near untraceable ground over C&D); Blotted copybook over hurdles when slowing to a standstill at Naas but found to be wrong there and earlier form (pushed Jezki to one and half lengths over just two miles) would give him a big chance; Wants a trip, but 2m2f should be fine.

Waaheb: Top class bumper horse in the season of 2011/12, winning first three starts on the bridle before being nosed out of tight finish to Grade 1 event at Punchestown Festival; Won well on first start over hurdles but put in place by Jezki here over Christmas; 2 lengths ahead of Bright New Dawn there and big chance of compensation here. 

 Legal Exit: Built like a future chaser but showed enough speed over hurdles to make useful Urano look second rate just 13 days ago here, compensating connections for fall when set to make a challenge beforehand; Needs more here but can’t deny he was impressive and considered.

Buthelezi: High class on the level, Group 3 fourth for John Gosden before his form began to drop off; Super impressive when romping home by 7 lengths at Aintree latest from useful Oscar Magic; Should go well here if building upon that.

Minsk: All the rage for the Triumph Hurdle last year after incredible improvement on the flat, romping away with Irish Cesarawitch, but jumped and then scoped badly before and after long odds on defeat in Grade 2 company (ran well in Listed flat races since); Much more like it when destroying very decent mare on return here over 2m4f but flat on both starts since; Needs more.

Umpact: Impossible not to think that he was better than his last run at Limerpick showed based on how impressive he was when sluicing his opposition to pieces at Gowran; Each way chance if able to show that form but a raw type who might be best left for next year/chasing.

Wingtips: Talented, but one still gets the feeling that he ran above himself when fifth and third in major juvenile hurdles at Cheltenham/Punchestown festivals (flashed tail on both occasions); Now looks exposed here following fourth to Jezki and others make more appeal.

VERDICT: An intriguing renewal with Jezki and most notably, Un Atout, absent. That provides a very good opportunity for CHAMPAGNE FEVER to land his first Grade 1 over hurdles assuming that he’s in fully health following on from an infected respiratory tract. He’s looked to want more of a trip on all his starts so far but his 2m form – when making it from the front – has been excellent so far and he deserves another chance.  His opposition look smart, with Waaheb, Bright New Dawn, and Buthelezi all immediate contenders.