Cheltenham Festival 2013 - Neptune Novices' Hurdle

2.05 Cheltenham Festival (Day 2, Race 2)

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

Winner £68,340

Advice: 1 pt place Taquin Du Seuil (10/11 general)

Chatterbox: Had just three runs but deeply impressive the last twice, notably when taking scape of My Tent Or Yours at Newbury (had things fall his way but still clear cut winner) and when giving 16lbs and beating to highly regarded Lac Fontana over that same C&D; This a step up in class on just fourth start but no doubting his talent and tempting for trainer who’s already had two wins this festival.

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 not reached same level since and disappointing so far; Avoidable.  

Pont Alexandre: Hugely impressive on all three starts, winning single French start easily and then dismantling Grade 1 field on Irish debut (Don Cossack clearly below best but runner up had just won Grade 2) and then even more impressive in Leopardstown Grade 2  when running over Sizing Gold by 11 lengths; Frightening potential based on that and has to be respected even if this is far more testing.

Rule The World: Beaten just once over Rules when outslogged by Our Vinnie (form puts him a long way behind Pont Alexandre but those two met over 2m4f), and extremely impressive on all other starts, notably when destroying his field in Slaney Novice Hurdle; Has to be hugely respected for connections who excel with this type but worth nothing that Minsk went off too fast and Champagne Fever was sick at the time; Big chance nevertheless.

Taquin Du Seuil: Useful on the flat in France and made strong start to hurdling career when running away with Uttoexeter maiden, and even better was to come when he failed to give weight to My Tent Or Yours at Ascot over 2m on good ground (arguably best, most proven form in the field); Coped fine with heavy when easy winner of Grade 2 at Sandown and poured on the staying power to take Challow by 5 lengths at Newbury; That stamina could be vital here and already showed he has plenty of speed, so nothing not to like barring no run this calendar year; Must go well.

The New One: Only beaten in last year’s Champion Bumper last season, and ready winner over My Tent Or Yours at Aintree; Only blemish in 4 hurdles starts came when outsyayed by progressive At Fishers Cross here last time but ground (and jockey going for him a touch sooner than he should have) most likely caught him out; Big chance here.

Two Rockers: Three from three under rules with easy Grade 2 win last time at Haydock (two Towcester wins on the bridle told us little before); Only three finished that day but would be hasty to assume stamina his forte; That said, faces rivals of a different class today.

Ubak: Lot to like about his third to Taquin Du Seuil and My Tent Or Yours at Ascot but hugely flattered by the weights that day and same when he was fourth behind Easter Day too.

VERDICT: One of the races of the festival with quality from top to bottom. In that regard, it’s surprising to see Pont Alexandre as such a strong favourite despite his frightening potential, although few could argue with his ability based on what we’ve seen so far. Compelling cases can be made for The New One, Rule The World, and Chatterbox, but the speed and stamina shown by TAQUIN DE SEUIL through the season is as good as any and he gets a tight vote, although it’s hard to see him out of the three.