The new jumps season really gets underway over the next 3 days with the Paddy Power Festival at Cheltenham.
The grade 2 novice hurdle tomorrow at 1.50 features the unbeaten Cue Card last season’s Champion Bumper winner who seeks to maintain his 100% record. He seems to handle any ground and from what we have seen so far could well be something special. The main danger could be Dunraven Storm who finished well down the pack behind Cue Card at Cheltenham but has done little wrong otherwise winning twice in bumpers and twice over hurdles. All his wins have come on good ground.
The 2 I like in the 2.25 are De Boitron and Rivaliste, both running over what is probably their optimum trip. De Boitron is a course winner and seems on an upward curve but may just need the run. Rivaliste is only a 5 year old and is open to improvement. I would give him the edge here albeit narrowly.
Nicky Henderson does well with his handicap hurdlers and may supply the answer to the 3.35 with Aegean Dawn who was trained previously by the Alners. Henderson has won this race for the last two years and on both occasions the winner was ridden by a 3 lbs claimer as Aegean Dawn is here. One that could go well at a bigger price is Scampi Boy who should be all the better for his run over course and distance last month.
There are plenty of promising sorts in the novice chase at 4.05. One that I am going to rule out is Vino Griego. He didn’t impress with his jumping when well beaten at Kempton and while the longer trip here may help him he is best suited by plenty of give in the ground. The 3 to concentrate on seem to be Time for Rupert, Quantitiveeasing and Reve de Sivola. A tough call this as all 3 look outstanding prospects but I will side with Reve de Sivola who is one of my top horses to follow this season.
My only selection at Newcastle is Prioryjo in the 2.15.
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.
ahorse 