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13:30 Cheltenham

Wednesday 15 March 2017

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 9.3s

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Selected odds by:

Bacardys³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins

4/1

Followed up a third in a bumper here last year with success in a Grade 2 contest at Aintree and a third placed finish in Grade 1 event at Punchestown. Still travelling when falling on his hurdling debut at Cork in November but made no mistake when justifying odds-on favouritism at Leopardstown next time. Surprised a couple of better fancied stablemates when winning a Grade 1 last time and he was well on top at the line so step up in trip should suit for a trainer who has won this event four times.

Form: 1-3F11P

Bon Papa⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins

18/1

Winner of a bumper at Fairyhouse in December and still going well when falling three from home in a maiden hurdle at Cork in January. Justified favouritism next time out in a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park and an interesting runner for leading connections.

Form: 1F1P

Brelade³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

18/1

Beat the useful Joey Sasa on debut and has posted two solid efforts in Grade 1 company since. Both those efforts suggest he is one of the few in this who might be on the right side of the handicapper. Trainer has won this twice and the likely better ground will be another plus.

Form: 2-42112

Burbank³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

50/1

Winner of a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon at the second attempt in January prior to suffering a surprise defeat when carrying a penalty at Musselburgh early last month. Connections have won this in the past though others have a more obvious chance here.

Form: 1

Consul De Thaix⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: M P Walsh| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140

16/1

Had five races without success but chased home the classy Brain Power the last twice. The most recent of those efforts came in a Grade 3 handicap at Ascot in December and invariably stays on. Likely to appreciate this step up in trip and represents a top yard here..

Form: 230-2

De Dollar Man²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 141

50/1

Winner of a point-to-point in October and successful on his first two outings under rules. The first of those came on hurdling debut at Ayr in January though he was beaten at odds-on at Ascot subsequently and more is needed here.

Form: 1

Keeper Hill³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 139

25/1

Winner of his last three outings over hurdles including when getting the better of today's rival Messire Des Obeaux at Huntingdon in a Listed event last time out. Steps up in trip here but looks likely to stay and interesting if repeating that latest effort.

Form: 13-21

Kemboy⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins

16/1

Made a winning debut for this yard when seeing off 13 rivals to take a maiden hurdle at Limerick in December. Subsequently finished runner-up to a useful stablemate in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Leopardstown in January and one of four runners for his trainer in this.

Form: 125

Livelovelaugh³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 129

16/1

Absent for 13 months prior to making a winning hurdles debut at Ballinrobe in May 2016. Suffered two defeats in Graded contests subsequently prior to an easy 20L victory in a 2m4f event at Thurles. More needed in this.

Form: 143104

Messire Des Obeaux³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 146

8/1

Ran twice as a novice in Britain last season including when finishing seventh in the juvenile handicap at this meeting. Victorious on each of his first three outings over hurdles this season including in a Grade 1 contest at Newbury in December. Disappointingly beaten at odds-on when contesting a Listed novice hurdle at Huntingdon since but likely to run well once more.

Form: 5637-11

Neon Wolf⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 148

2/1

Point-to-point winner 12 months ago and since gone unbeaten in three outings under rules. Facile bumper winner at Uttoxeter on debut in December and followed up twice over hurdles. Most recent of those successes came in six runner affair in a Grade 2 contest at Haydock in January. Yet to race over this far under rules but point-to-point win suggests it shouldn't be an issue and may be hard to beat.

Form: 1-1

Poetic Rhythm⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130

66/1

Point-to-point winner who won twice from three outings in bumpers. The most recent of those successes came in Listed company here in November and though highly tried he is yet to win in three outings over hurdles and more is needed to trouble the principals in this.

Form: U1-5115

Skipthecuddles³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 128

66/1

Winner of a bumper at Towcester over 2m in May last year but beaten at a big price when runner-up to today's rival Keeper Hill on his first outing over hurdles. Made no mistake at Wetherby next time out but this looks much tougher.

Form: 5-14218

Willoughby Court⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 147

14/1

Winner of two of his three hurdles outings so far including over this trip in a Grade 2 contest last time out. Form of that particular victory at Warwick looks strong with subsequent impressive handicap winner Gayebury back in second and a previous Grade 2 winner back in third. Also successful in a maiden hurdle at that track having finished behind a useful rival at Market Rasen in a first time tongue tie (left off since) on hurdling debut. One for the shortlist.

Form: 3/115-21

Shattered Love^t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 141

8/1

Point-to-point winner and finished third in the mares bumper at Aintree last season. Racing against her own sex so far this season, winning a maiden hurdle at Tipperary in October and her last two outings at Thurles and Fairyhouse. Left clear by the fall of a rival when winning by 37L on her penultimate outing in a Listed hurdle at Thurles over 2m in December and followed that up with a Grade 3 success at Fairyhouse. Two defeats have come at the hands of useful mares and an interesting contender for a top stable.

Form: 3-12211

Forecasts

Neon Wolf (2/1), Bacardys (4/1), Messire Des Obeaux (8/1), Shattered Love (8/1), Willoughby Court (14/1), Kemboy (16/1), Livelovelaugh (16/1), Consul De Thaix (16/1), Brelade (18/1), Bon Papa (18/1), Keeper Hill (25/1), Burbank (50/1), De Dollar Man (50/1), Skipthecuddles (66/1), Poetic Rhythm (66/1)

BACARDYS captured a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown last time out when seeing off a useful stablemate in the process. The selection looks likely to appreciate this step up in trip and looks a progressive sort. It's hard to knock Neon Wolf's achievements thus far given that he is unbeaten in three outings under rules and he can claim second with both Willougby Court, an impressive victor in Graded company at Warwick last time out in a race that's working out well, and the mare Shattered Love who is likely to appreciate this step up in trip taken to fight it out for the final placing.