Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) 2014

3.00 Cheltenham

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

Winner £17,085

Advice: 2 pts win Rathvinden (2/1 general)

Abusson: Tried over too short to make an impact when seventh at Auteil on debut but impressive on UK debut at Chepstow, and then far more impressive when landing well contested novice hurdle over C&D on New Year’s Day here; That form stacks up well and has to be respected despite being upped in class here with ground in favour once again.

Creepy: Made Kings Palace look extremely impressive when winning Grade 2 at Cheltenham following 18 length second to that one over 3 miles the time before; Heavy ground seemed to stop him when he couldn’t raise a gallop at Warwick last time out and most likely would have been well behind Rathvinden had that one stayed up.

Madness Light: 2-3 since arriving from France, beaten on debut when possibly finding trip too short at Exeter and well in control at the finish when winning well at both Lingfield and Uttotexter; Can come forward still but needs to show more upped in such class.

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 being a graded horse and was going swimmingly when falling in Warwick Grade 2; Worth another chance here.

Red Sherlock: Looked a serious horse when trashing opposition by 23 lengths at Worcester and now unbeaten in 5, winner of Ascot and listed bumper before wide impressive pair of wins over hurdles; Needed more company when he was drifting (had the race sealed) latest but giving lumps of weight and will take some beating here.

Regal Diamond: Could have done with a harder gallop when second to Abusson here (giving a 1lbs that day so the two are tightly matched) but was well beaten at the finish and wouldn’t back him to reverse that form today.

VERDICT: An interesting little trial with RATHVIDEN given another chance after falling when travelling comfortably at Warwick.  The time before, he had looked well upto graded class on his hurdling debut and Mullins’ willingness to send him over to England once again should be taken as a positive. Red Sherlock and Abusson will provide stiff resistance.