Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Leamington Novices' Hurdle) 2013

3.00 Warwick

Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Leamington Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £15,661

Advice: 1 pt win Rathvinden (9/4 general)

Creepy: Served only to make Kings Palace look extremely impressive when winning Grade 2 at Cheltenham following 18 length second to that one over 3 miles the time before, getting the better of reopposing Timesremembered in sustained stretch duel getting 7lbs; Fell before the going got serious in a hot renewal of Challow Hurdle and respected here.

Kialla Quay:  Has been an infinitely better hurdler than was a bumper horse, winning 3-4, the defeat in a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle at Cheltenham that he compensated for with Grade 2 win at Sandown latest; Must be given strong chance here; Unraced on heavy being the only worry for him.

Rathvinden: Came down when he had every chance when falling on sole point start, before winning two bumpers in fine style (joined this yard on second of those) and then running away with Cork maiden hurdle when he looked capable of bracing at graded level; Has to be respected with step up in trip not expected to be a problem.

Deputy Dan: Deeply impressive wide margin winner of Chepstow maiden hurdle when revelling in hock deep surface; That either a big step up on his previous form or not a great race (mixture of both looks most likely) but has to be given a chance with surface clearly most likely.

Garrahalish: Tough at the finish, suited by heavy ground when he won ordinary novice last time at Towcester; Could go forward again but still looks below the required standard here.

Masters Hill: Had no answer to Kings’ Hill when 25/1 and taking advantage of his novice status; Pure stamina could bring him into it and that prospect has proven his talent once again since, so respected although others have more potential.

Potters Cross: Beaten a long way behind Masters Hill at Cheltenham last time out.

Splash of Ginge: Been much better dropped back in trip, winning Aintree maiden hurdle by wide margin before Ascot third (would have been fourth had one stayed up); Not sure if he can stay upped in trip again and this a difficult task for him.

VERDICT: This is a strong contest and Willie Mullins can be rewarded for raiding Wetherby with RATHVINDEN, who can build on his previous promise and take this step up in trip in his stride by beating Deputy Dan Kialla Quay, and Creepy.