2014 Neptune Novices Hurdle

Neptune Novices Hurdle 2014

I like chances here of Faugheen. He's won all of his four rules races impressively. He's won on good-to-yielding and yielding (twice) so the ground shouldn't inconvenience him. He's won on tough tracks Navan and Punchestown.

I find it very difficult to choice between Faugheen and Red Sherlock. The latter has won all six of his races (two national hunt flat and four hurdles). He's another who should have no problems with the ground. In the end Red Sherlock is the selection as he's won twice at Cheltenham and is at higher odds. It would be an emotional victory as David Johnson died last year and he runs in the family colours. 

Rathvinden has fallen over hurdles and as I've said before that I don't like that happening. He was also beaten by Red Sherlock last time out. He was getting weight from Red Sherlock and plenty of people at the preview events thinks he'll reverse the form. He's certainly a strong contender. 

Lieutenant Colonel is an uncertain stayer. Cup Final is an uncertain stayer and has never won. I'm a little lost as to why he's so short in the betting. Ballyalton was well beaten last time out. Fennell Bay has come from the flat which isn't too common for winners of this race these days. He had two wins at gaff tracks. Killala Quay was pulled up last time out and was well beaten on his only run at Cheltenham.