Dovecote Novices' Hurdle 2014

3.15 Kempton

Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £15,661

Advice: 2 pts win Irving (10/11 Paddy Power)

Amore Alalato: Second time lucky over hurdles when scoring at Wincanton and then gritty in the final furlong to win decent novice here on Boxing Day; Cheltenham handicap third is decent form and respected for all that more unexposed types are in waiting here.

Irving: Foreign triple flat winner and has been just as impressive in going over hurdles, beating reopposing Cup Final at Taunton (now 7bs worse off) and then twice an untested winner at Ascot, getting the better of argument in Ascot Grade 2 which has been boosted massively by third winning Betfair Hurdle; Should take some beating here before going to Cheltenham.

Dubai Prince: Best of these on the flat by a long way, having several group efforts to his name; Flop after impressive hurdles debut here and then time after that and maybe the ground is partly to do with that, in which case soft ground a serious negative for him today; Hood will need to have marked improvement.

First Mohican: Another of these who boasts a good flat record with RRP of 113 and satisfactory start to life over hurdles when making smooth progress and finding plenty of fighting sprit to land Doncaster maiden hurdle just over two weeks ago; Should go well here with that behind him.

Cup Final: Promise on one and only bumper starts and despite being beaten at odds on, on hurdling debut, retreating after the last as Irving (since vastly improved) drew away; 7lbs better off, and presume that nasty cut he had on hind leg hampered his finishing effort; Interesting here although this first try on soft ground and first run since.

Germany Calling: Second in points and third in bumper, both efforts that were bettered when he was a good second to useful Lac Fontana at Cheltenham; That now a 123 days ago however, and while he can improve, he will need to and not sure of fitness/form after such an absence.

Vaihau: Three from 4 in French bumpers, deeply impressive on his only good ground start after debut and all out to win at Argentan; This a very tough debut indeed.

VERDICT: With the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle still very open this is likely to be the key festival trial on this card. First Mohican’s hurdling debut was very promising and he is respected here but it would be disappointing if IRVING, the leading English hope for the Festival opener, was to be beaten following his impressive Grade 2 win at Ascot and he can confirm earlier form with Cup Final from their Taunton maiden hurdle. Amore Alato should enjoy soft ground and can be the best of the rest.