2014 Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle

[blackngold]

agree mayo.. where could you see them placing rathvinden in your opinion neptune? also talk of mullins possibly putting briar hill into the supreme! bit of money came in for him this week on betfair

[mayo]

Waiting for NRNB before backing any Mullins novices !

[blackngold]

dont blame you mate!

[skippymac6]

Haha yeah I have backed a few Mullins' horses already butI'm afraid that it could all come back to haunt me! The Deloitte could sort out a few but while he has an outstanding candidate for each of the hurdle races (Vautour, Faugheen and Briar Hill) he also has so many "2nd class" horses such as V.Lido, Artic Fire, Rennetti (I am following his progress big time) Sure Reef, Rathvinden, Wicklow Brave etc that could all go anywhere too!

[JohnC]

Rennetti gets a mention on Declan Rix's blog ( in his Supreme review)

Renneti

Like Arctic Fire Renneti is of interest on his Royal Bond effort. He was beaten three parts of a length by The Tullow Tank just getting collared close home. He benefitted from a positive ride in a slowly run affair, but he was so keen out in front he deserves credit for finishing second. A stronger run race and good ground will help his cause no end, but he’ll met The Tullow Tank on worse terms at Cheltenham and I have little doubts about him getting up the hill.

Must have another look at the Royal Bond

[Yeehaa]

Ruby Walsh: "There was something about Red Sherlock for me, I loved the way he kept at it."

[Old Vic]

Willie Mullins also dominates the entries for the £120,000 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle over two and five furlongs, accounting for 19 of the 104 entries. Among his powerful contingent is the unbeaten Faugheen, last year's Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero Briar Hill and Rathvinden.

Also starring among the 38 Irish entries is The Tullow Tank and the Noel Meade-trained Apache Stronghold. The latter six-year-old marked himself out as a horse to follow after staying-on to take third in the Grade One Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival won by The Liquidator (David Pipe).

Apache Stronghold has made a promising start to his hurdling career, beating a competitive field on his debut at Punchestown in October prior to a facile three-length success over Azorian (Eoin Griffin) in the two and a half mile Grade Two Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan on November 24.

Meade, who sent out Nicanor to beat Denman in the 2006 renewal, reported: "All going well, Apache Stronghold will go for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

"He had a setback after Christmas and it has taken a while to get him back, so won't be able to get another run into him. We don't want to rush him and it's just a case of seeing if we can get him back up to that level.

"I won't run him unless I'm 100 per cent happy because there is always Aintree, Fairyhouse or Punchestown, but the plan is to run at Cheltenham if he's right.

"He's a gorgeous a horse and we think he's right up there with the best around, so hopefully we can get him there."

The British-trained entries include the undefeated Red Sherlock (David Pipe), a winner at the course on Festival Trials Day, and Grade One-winning pair Captain Cutter and Royal Boy, both trained by Nicky Henderson.

[Old Vic]

The Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle
Class 1, Grade 1, Total Prize Fund £120,000
, 1.30pm, Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
Old Course, two miles and five furlongs. For novice four-year-olds and upwards. Weights: four-year-olds 10st 12lb; five-year-olds and
upwards 11st 7lb. Allowances: fillies & mares 7lb. Entries closed Tuesday, January 28. Entries revealed Thursday, January 30 (
104 entries ). Scratchings deadline February 18. Six-day confirmation stage March 6. Final declaration stage 10am, Tuesday, March 11. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, January 27. May not include some overseas form.

Form
Horse Age Owner Trainer
311 ABBYSSIAL (IRE) 4 Violet O’Leary Willie Mullins IRE
1 AKLAN (IRE) 5 Coach Partnership Willie Mullins IRE
4-51114 ANGE BALAFRE (FR) 5 High Spirits Racing Club Noel Meade IRE
133-11 APACHE STRONGHOLD (IRE) 6 Patricia Hunt Noel Meade IRE
0-145 ART OF PAYROLL (GER) 5 Bishopsgate Syndicate Dessie Hughes IRE
1/P-2165 ASHES HOUSE (IRE) 8 Diamond Racing Ltd Rebecca Curtis
12-1223 AZORIAN (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Eoin Griffin IRE
1/2-1114 BALLYALTON (IRE) 7 John Westwood Ian Williams
26-12 BEAT THAT (IRE) 6 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson
31312 BLAKEMOUNT (IRE) 6 Jacqueline Conroy Sue Smith
11-111 BRIAR HILL (IRE) 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
BROXBOURNE (IRE) 5 Seven Barrows Limited Nicky Henderson
132-111 CAPTAIN CUTTER (IRE) 7 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
(2)0-2F21 CAROLE’S DESTRIER 6 Mrs C Skipworth Neil Mulholland
2-02111 CHAMPAGNE WEST (IRE) 6 Roger Brookhouse Philip Hobbs
23-1101 CITY SLICKER (IRE) 6 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE
1-11 CLONDAW COURT (IRE) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
4-3 COCKTAILS AT DAWN 6 Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat Nicky Henderson
1631 COGRY 5 Graham and Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies
1-1411 COLE HARDEN (IRE) 5 Jill Eynon & Robin Eynon Warren Greatrex
P COMPANY COMING (IRE) 6 P P Greaney Jim Culloty IRE
121U55 CREEPY (IRE) 6 Mark Boothright, T Hanlon, Steve Harman Martin Keighley
4-2 CUP FINAL (IRE) 5 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
212212 DEEP TROUBLE (IRE) 7 Lady Jane Grosvenor Ben Case
11-2211 DEPUTY DAN (IRE) 6 Tim Syder Oliver Sherwood
11-131 DIAMOND KING (IRE) 6 Diana Whateley Donald McCain
322/5- DIAMOND LIFE 8 Malcolm Denmark David Pipe
2-2 DON POLI (IRE) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE
2-601 DOUBLE IRISH (IRE) 6 Barry Connell Gordon Elliott IRE
1111 FAUGHEEN (IRE) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
1 FENNELL BAY (IRE) 5 Bloomfields John Ferguson
5-0 FOURTH ACT (IRE) 5 Jean Bishop Colin Tizzard
1311 GILGAMBOA (IRE) 6 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE
142-103 GILT SHADOW (IRE) 6 David Gordon Roberts Stuart Crawford IRE
4-13311 GITANE DU BERLAIS (FR) 4 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE
2-112 GONE TOO FAR 6 J P McManus Alan King
5-111 IRISH CAVALIER (IRE) 5 Andrew McIver Rebecca Curtis
161-112 JOANNE ONE (IRE) 6 Sir Chips Keswick Jamie Snowden
5-1101P KILLALA QUAY 7 Richard & Susan Perkins Charlie Longsdon
12F-111 KINGS PALACE (IRE) 6 Drew, George & The Johnson Family David Pipe
(6)-1312 KNOCK HOUSE (IRE) 5 Camilla Radford Mick Channon
230-141 LAC FONTANA (FR) 5 Potensis Limited Paul Nicholls
111-311 LEGACY GOLD (IRE) 6 Roger Brookhouse David Pipe
121 LIEUTENANT COLONEL 5 Gigginstown House Stud Dessie Hughes IRE
025 LITTLE ROCKY 6 Barry Connell Dessie Hughes IRE
P1211P MADNESS LIGHT (FR) 5 Mrs T Brown Warren Greatrex
0622 MIdNIGHT THUNDER (IRE) 5 Brocade Racing J P Romans Terry Warner Colin Tizzard
1F MIJHAAR 6 Bloomfields John Ferguson
110 MINELLA FORU (IRE) 5 J P McManus Eddie Harty IRE
1F12 MOONSHINE LAD (IRE) 6 Brendan Scully Gordon Elliott IRE
11-13 MOYLE PARK (IRE) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
0-22101 NEW YEAR’S EVE 6 Bloomfields John Ferguson
014 NOBLE ENDEAVOR (IRE) 5 Chris Jones Gordon Elliott IRE
131-21 OSCAR HOOF (IRE) 6 The Hoof Partnership Nicky Henderson
211-123 OSCAR ROCK (IRE) 6 Mr & Mrs G Calder Malcolm Jefferson
0//3100-2 OUR POLLYANNA (IRE) 7 The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership Alan King
1120 PINK HAT (IRE) 6 Jackie Mullins Willie Mullins IRE
13 PLEASANT COMPANY (IRE) 6 Malcolm Denmark David Pipe
3 PORT MELON (IRE) 6 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls
0-56111 PORTWAY FLYER (IRE) 6 Patrick Kelly Ian Williams
51F6 PRINCE SIEGFRIED (FR) 8 Bloomfields John Ferguson
0-4 PRINCE OF LOMBARDY (IRE) 6 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE
3100-31 QUICKPICK VIC (IRE) 7 Joseph Duff Tony Martin IRE
113 RACING PULSE (IRE) 5 Carl Hinchy John Quinn
41 RAINBOW PEAK (IRE) 8 Bloomfields John Ferguson
111F2 RATHVINDEN (IRE) 6 Ronnie Bartlett Willie Mullins IRE
11-1111 RED SHERLOCK 5 The Johnson Family David Pipe
162424 REGAL DIAMOND (IRE) 6 Roddy Owen, Paul Fullagar & Karen Bowen Peter Bowen
(1)/12-212 REGAL ENCORE (IRE) 6 J P McManus Anthony Honeyball
12F RENNETI (FR) 5 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
RIVER OF TIME (IR ) 6 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE
1 ROLL IT OUT (IRE) 5 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE
23-311 ROYAL BOY (FR) 7 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson
1 ROYAL PLAYER 5 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs
1-115 ROYAL REGATTA (IRE) 6 J C Murphy & Mrs L Field Philip Hobbs
111112 SEA LORD (IRE) 7 Bloomfields John Ferguson
(1)02-102 SEEDLING 5 Equis & Christopher Spence Charles Egerton
231 SHANAHAN’S TURN (IRE) 6 Alan & Ann Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead I
RE 4-114 SHANTOU MAGIC (IRE) 7 Owners For Owners: Shantou Magic Charlie Longsdon
251215 SKY KHAN 5 The Unique Partnership Richard Guest
32-1214 SPIRIT OF SHANKLY 6 Alan Halsall Charlie Longsdon
424133 SPLASH OF GINGE 6 John Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies
11 STELLAR NOTION (IRE) 6 Roger Brookhouse Tom George
U11 SURE REEF (IRE) 5 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
315 TARA ROAD 6 Nigel Morris Rebecca Curtis
141-115 THE LIQUIDATOR 6 Roger Brookhouse David Pipe
451-111 THE TULLOW TANK (IRE) 6 Barry Connell Philip Fenton IRE
40-1311 THREE KINGDOMS (IRE) 5 Bloomfields John Ferguson
3-11226 TIMESREMEMBERED (IRE) 6 Tim Syder & Sarah Prior Emma Lavelle
111/0-12 TISTORY (FR) 7 Judy Wilson Nicky Henderson
212240 TWELVE ROSES 6 Jones Broughtons Wilson Weaver Kim Bailey
(1)30- UN ACE (FR) 6 Ace In The Pack Partnership Kim Bailey
133132 UN TEMPS POUR TOUT (IRE) 5 Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew David Pipe
205-113 UPAZO (FR) 6 Philip Reynolds Willie Mullins IRE
22-22S1 URANO (FR) 6 Mrs M McMahon Willie Mullins IRE
1211 URBAN HYMN (FR) 6 Mr & Mrs Graham Calder Malcolm Jefferson
1211-15 URTICAIRE (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE
61-11 VALSEUR LIDO (FR) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE
22-11 VAUTOUR (FR) 5 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
12-11 VICE ET VERTU (FR) 5 Neville Statham & Family Henry Daly
12-1132 VICKY DE L’OASIS (FR) 5 Wicklow Bloodstock Limited Willie Mullins IRE
1110-1 VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR) 5 Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent David Pipe
20-11F WILDE BLUE YONDER (IRE) 5 Maybe Only Fools Have Horses Alan King
52P-111 WILLOW ’S SAVIOUR 7 Triple F Partnership Dan Skelton
104 entries
38 Irish-trained

[Old Vic]

Breakdown of Neptune Investment Management Novices’Hurdle by trainer
19 entries
Willie Mullins IRE – Abbysial, Aklan, Briar Hill, City Slicker, Clondaw Court, Don Poli, Faugheen, Gitane Du Berlais, Moyle Park, Pink Hat, Rathvinden, Renneti, Sure Reef, Upazo, Urano, Urticaire, Valseur Lido, Vautor, Vicky De L’Oasis

8 entries
Nicky Henderson – Beat That, Broxbourne, Captain Cutter, Cocktails At Dawn, Cup Final, Oscar Hoof, Royal Boy, Tistory

David Pipe – Diamond Life, Kings Palace, Legacy Gold, Pleasant Company, Red Sherlock, The Liquidator, Un Temps Pour Tout, Vieux Lion Rouge

7 entries John Ferguson – Fennell Bay, Mijhaar, New Year’s Eve, Prince Siegfried, Rainbow Peak, Sea Lord, Three Kingdoms

4 entries
Gordon Elliott IRE – Double Irish, Moonshine Lad, Noble Endeavor, Roll It Out

3 entries
Jim Culloty IRE – Company Coming, Prince of Lombardy, River Of Time
Rebecca Curtis – Ashes House, Irish Cavalier, Tara Road
Philip Hobbs – Champagne West, Royal Player, Royal Regatta
Dessie Hughes IRE – Art Of Payroll, Lieutenant Colonel, Little Rocky
Alan King – Gone Too Far, Pollyanna, Wilde Blue Yonder
Charlie Longsdon – Killala Quay, Shantou Magic, Spirit Of Shankly

2 entries
Kim Bailey – Twelve Roses, Un Ace
Warren Greatrex – Cole Harden, Madness Light
Malcolm Jefferson – Oascar Rock, Urban Hymn
Noel Meade IRE – Ange Balafre, Apache Stronghold
Paul Nicholls – Lac Fontana, Port Melon
Colin Tizzard – Fourth Act, Midnight Thunder
Nigel Twiston-Davies – Cogry, Splash Of Ginge
Ian Williams – Ballyalton, Portway Flyer

[Old Vic]

Trainers with runners - previous records

Kim Bailey (Twelve Roses, Un Ace)
No runners since 1994

Enda Bolger IRE (Gilgamboa)
No previous runners

Peter Bowen (Regal Diamond)
2007 14th Santando Tom O’Brien 150/1

Henry de Bromhead IRE (Shanahan’s Turn)
No previous runners

Ben Case (Deep Trouble)
2012 15th Brass Tax Daryl Jacob 100/1

Mick Channon (Knock House)
No runner since 1994

Stuart Crawford IRE (Gilt Shadow)
No previous runners

Jim Culloty IRE (Company Coming, Prince of Lombardy, River Of Time)
No previous runners

Rebecca Curtis (Ashes House, Irish Cavalier, Tara Road)
2010 11th Gus Macrae Tom Scudamore 50/1

Henry Daly (Vice Et Vertu)
1999 5th Behrajan Richard Johnson 6/1

Charles Egerton (Seedling)
1994 18th River Lossie Jamie Osborne 33/1
2005 18th Darkness Jimmy McCarthy 66/1
2006 5th Mr Pointment Paddy Brennan 50/1

Gordon Elliott IRE (Double Irish, Moonshine Lad, Noble Endeavor, Roll It Out)
No previous runners

Philip Fenton IRE (The Tullow Tank)
No previous runners

John Ferguson (Fennell Bay, Mijhaar, New Year’s Eve, Prince Siegfried, Rainbow Peak, Sea Lord, Three Kingdoms)
2012 UR Cotton Mill Denis O’Regan 8/1

Tom George (Stellar Notion)
2002 1st Galileo Jason Maguire 12/1

Warren Greatrex (Cole Harden, Madness Light)
No previous runners

Eoin Griffin IRE (Azorian)
No previous runners

Richard Guest (Sky Khan)
No previous runners

Eddie Harty IRE (Minella Foru)
No previous runners

Nicky Henderson (Beat That, Broxbourne, Captain Cutter, Cocktails At Dawn, Cup Final, Oscar Hoof, Royal Boy, Tistory)
1996 15th Ebullient Equiname Mick Fitzgerald 20/1
1996 18th Whattabob John Kavanagh 25/1
2002 16th Irish Hussar Mick Fitzgerald 16/1
2003 17th Calling Brave Mick Fitzgerald 33/1
2007 13th Duc De Regniere Mick Fitzgerald 9/1
2008 13th Aigle d’Or A P McCoy 4/1f
2009 8th Mad Max Barry Geraghty 6/1
2010 5th Finian’s Rainbow Barry Geraghty 11/2
2011 6th Minella Class Barry Geraghty 10/1
2012 11th Nelson’s Bridge A P McCoy 16/1
2012 1st Simonsig Barry Geraghty 2/1f
2013 4th Chatterbox Barry Geraghty 9/1

Philip Hobbs (Champagne West, Royal Player, Royal Regatta
1994 8th Elaine Tully Peter Hobbs 33/1
1996 11th Sparkling Yasmin Brendan Powell 16/1
1996 PU Tuscany Highway Glenn Tormey 66/1
2000 9th Celtic Native Andrew Thornton 11/1
2003 10th Double Honour Richard Johnson 25/1
2003 7th Supreme Prince Paul Flynn 16/1
2004 11th Ross River Paul Flynn 25/1
2004 3rd Grey Report Richard Johnson 25/1
2005 5th Gold Medallist Richard Johnson 9/2j
2007 1st Massini’s Maguire Richard Johnson 20/1

Anthony Honeyball (Regal Encore)
No previous runners

Dessie Hughes IRE (Art Of Payroll, Lieutenant Colonel, Little Rocky)
2003 1st Hardy Eustace Kieran Kelly 6/1
2008 8th Fond Of A Drop Barry Geraghty 33/1
2013 5th Minsk Danny Mullins 33/1

Malcolm Jefferson (Oscar Rock, Urban Hymn)
1996 2nd Go-Informal Martin Dwyer 12/1
2002 6th Moss Harvey Graham Lee 33/1
2005 19th Roman Ark Tony Dobbin 25/1

Martin Keighley (Creepy)
No previous runners

Alan King (Gone Too Far, Pollyanna, Wilde Blue Yonder)
2000 6th Solo Mio Richard Johnson 12/1
2008 5th Group Captain Robert Thornton 5/1
2009 10th Junior Robert Thornton 16/1
2009 2nd Karabak A P McCoy 4/1
2010 7th Manyriverstocross Robert Thornton 12/1
2011 9th Habbie Simpson Robert Thornton 25/1
2012 12th Secret Edge Robert Thornton 25/1
2013 8th Two Rockers Wayne Hutchinson 16/1

Emma Lavelle (Timesremembered)
2011 10th Highland Valley Jack Doyle 50/1

Charlie Longsdon (Killala Quay, Shantou Magic, Spirit Of Shankly)
2011 F Accordintolawrence Felix De Giles 100/1

Tony Martin IRE (Quickpick Vic)
2012 10th Benefficient Bryan Cooper 14/1

Donald McCain (Diamond King)
2010 1st Peddlers Cross Jason Maguire 7/1
2011 PU Tornado Bob Jason Maguire 10/1

Noel Meade IRE (Ange Balafre, Apache Stronghold)
1994 4th Coq Hardi Affair Paul Carberry 16/1
1999 8th Winter Garden Paul Carberry 50/1
2000 11th Oa Baldixe Barry Geraghty 9/1
2002 8th Woodys Blue Lagoon David Casey 50/1
2002 12th Thari Paul Carberry 33/1
2006 1st Nicanor Paul Carberry 17/2
2006 4th Mr Nosie Denis O’Regan 9/1
2007 5th Aran Concerto A P McCoy 5/2f
2009 7th Realt Dubh Paul Carberry 20/1
2010 15th Hollo Ladies Paul Carberry 40/1
2012 3rd Monksland Paul Carberry 11/2

Neil Mulholland (Carole’s Destrier)
No previous runners

Willie Mullins IRE (Abbysial, Aklan, Briar Hill, City Slicker, Clondaw Court, Don Poli, Faugheen, Gita ne Du Berlais, Moyle Park, Pink Hat, Rathvinden, Renneti, Sure Reef, Upazo, Urano, Urticaire, Valseur Lido, Vautor,Vicky De L’Oasis)
1999 7th Alexander Banquet Ruby Walsh 11/4
2002 5th Ballyamber Ruby Walsh 16/1
2003 14th Mossy Green Charlie Swan 33/1
2004 6th Sadlers Wings Ruby Walsh 9/2
2005 3rd Our Ben Ruby Walsh 33/1
2007 8th Scotsirish Davy Condon 12/1
2008 1st Fiveforthree Ruby Walsh 7/1
2009 1st Mikael D’haguenet Ruby Walsh 5/2f
2010 F Quel Esprit Ruby Walsh 5/1
2011 3rd So Young Ruby Walsh 2/1f
2012 2nd Felix Yonger Paul Townend 16/1
2012 5th Sous Les Cieux Ruby Walsh 11/2
2012 7th Make Your Mark Davy Russell 15/2
2013 3rd Pont Alexandre Ruby Walsh 6/4f

Paul Nicholls (Lac Fontana, Port Melon)
2002 PU Iverain Timmy Murphy 33/1
2006 2nd Denman Ruby Walsh 11/10f
2007 4th Silverburn Ruby Walsh 7/2
2008 10th Breedsbreeze Sam Thomas 9/1
2009 6th The Nightingale Christian Williams 16/1
2010 12th Ghizao Timmy Murphy 20/1
2011 2nd Rock On Ruby Daryl Jacob 13/2

David Pipe (Diamond Life, Kings Palace, Legacy Gold, Pleasant Company, Red Sherlock, The Liquidator, Un
Temps Pour Tout, Vieux Lion Rouge)
2007 12th RaslanTimmy Murphy 25/1
2009 9th Ruthenoise Tom Scudamore 100/1
2012 4th Close House Tom Scudamore 33/1
2012 9th Fiulin Conor O’Farrell 80/1

John Quinn (Racing Pulse)
No previous runners

Oliver Sherwood (Deputy Dan)
1987 1st The West Awake Simon Sherwood 16/1
1988 1st Rebel Song Simon Sherwood 14/1
1995 2nd Berude Not To Jamie Osborne 3/1

Dan Skelton (Willow’s Saviour)
No previous runners

Sue Smith (Blakemont)
No previous runners

Jamie Snowden (Joanne One)
No previous runner

Colin Tizzard (Fourth Act, Midnight Thunder)
2011 8th Ohio Gold Joe Tizzard 100/1

Nigel Twiston-Davies (Cogry, Splash Of Ginge)
1993 1st Gaelstrom Carl Llewellyn 16/1
1994 2nd Corrouge Carl Llewellyn 10/1
1994 F Tothewoods David Bridgwater 50/1
1994 PU Bay Mischief Martin Dwyer 33/1
1996 5th Buckhouse Boy Tom Jenks 16/1
1997 10th Hand Woven Chris Maude 66/1
1997 12th The Proms Carl Llewellyn 25/1
1998 15th Borazon Carl Llewellyn 33/1
1999 4th King’s Road Carl Llewellyn 16/1
2000 3rd Gentle Rivage Tom Jenks 50/1
2000 4th Bindaree Carl Llewellyn 16/1
2002 14th The Villager Carl Llewellyn 66/1
2004 1st Fundamentalist Carl Llewellyn 12/1
2004 9th Champagne Harry Antony Evans 100/1
2005 11th Red Georgie Carl Llewellyn 100/1
2006 6th Rimsky Carl Llewellyn 66/1
2007 7th Imperial Commander Tony Evans 25/1
2007 9th Battlecry Tom Scudamore 100/1
2008 7th Razor Royale Paddy Brennan 18/1
2012 8th Double Ross Sam Twiston-Davies 33/1
2013 1st The New One Sam Twiston-Davies 7/2

Ian Williams (Ballyalton, Portway Flyer)
1999 3rd Winston Run Glenn Tormey 100/1
1999 15th Tara-Brogan Seamus Durack 66/

[Old Vic]

The Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle was introduced to The Festival in 1971 as the Aldsworth Hurdle. Sun Alliance, who merged with Royal Insurance in 1996, took it on in 1974, together with the Sun Alliance Chase, having previously sponsored the Foxhunter Chase. Ballymore Properties sponsored the contest between 2007 and 2009, while Neptune Investment Management backed the race for the first time in 2010. The Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle, along with the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and the RSA Chase, are acknowledged as championship races for the staying novice hurdler and chaser.

FIELD SIZE
The smallest field for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle came in 2013, when eight runners lined up.
The most runners was 29, achieved in 1979, 1984 and 1991. The current safety limit is 24.

MOST SUCCESSFUL OWNER
The most successful owners are Anne-Marie McGowan, Maggie Heath and J P McManus, with two wins each.

MOST SUCCESSFUL TRAINER
The most successful trainer is Nigel Twiston-Davies with three wins – Gaelstrom (1993), Fundamentalist (2004) and The
New One (2013). Aidan O’Brien, David Nicholson, Edward O’Grady, Martin Pipe, Mick O’Toole, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Oliver
Sherwood and Willie Mullins have all won the race twice.

MOST SUCCESSFUL JOCKEY
Charlie Swan won the race three times and is the most successful jockey. His wins came on Danoli (1994 ), Urubande (1996)
and Istabraq (1997). Among current riders, Jason Maguire (Galileo, 2002 & Peddlers Cross 2010) and Ruby Walsh (Fiveforthree , 2008 & Mikael D’Haguenet 2009) have both won the race twice.

BETTING
The Irish-trained 1994 winner, Danoli, subject of a massive gamble, was sent off the 7/4 favourite. The shortest-priced winner was another Irish victor, Mr Kildare, at 8/1 1 in 1978. Favourites have been successful in 14 of the 41 runnings (34 per cent). The longest-priced winner was 40/1 chance Even Dawn in the second running in 1972.

AGE
The oldest winner was Brown Lad, an eight-year-old when scoring in 1974. Four-year-olds Sabin de Loir (1983), Fealty (1984)
and Crystal Spirit (1991) were the youngest winners. The overall breakdown by age is as follows:
4yo - 3 winners
5yo - 15 winners
6yo - 21 winners
7yo - 1 winner
8yo - 1 winner

RECORD TIME
The fastest time for the winning horse was 4m 52.0s set by Monsignor in 2000, beating the 4m 56.2s of Regal Ambition in 1990.

OVERSEAS-TRAINED WINNERS
The Irish have an excellent record in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle with 16 wins, including six consecutive victories from 1973-78. The latest success came from the Mouse Morris-trained First Lieute nant in 2011.

DID YOU KNOW?
Oliver Sherwood and Dessie Hughes are the two trainers to have also won the race as jockeys. Sherwood was aboard Venture To Cognac in 1979, while his training wins have been with The West Awake (1987) and Rebel Song (1988). Dessie Hughes was twice successful as a jockey on Davy Lad (1975) and Parkhill (1976) and sent out Hardy Eustace (2003) to victory as a trainer.
Istabraq (1997) and Hardy Eustace (2003) both won en route to victory in the Stan James Champion Hurdle, while Davy Lad (1975) went on to take the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. Only one horse has won both the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle and the RSA Chase. The West Awake took the hurdle race in 1987 and the chase event a year later

[Hoof]

Faugheen is the banker of the week IMO.

[Old Vic]

This years Pont Alexandre maybe

[mayo]

[Lester]

Doesnt look a complete penalty kick for Faugheen now.

#UnTempsPourTout now best priced 16/1 for Neptune IM Hurdle with Skybet after Ascot romp. New Accounts http://www.fatjockey.com/visit/skybet #cheltfest