Novices Hurdle Latest Betting

The decision to probably run Rite Of Passage here rather than take on Dunguib in the Supreme must be even more tempting now following the defeat of the then ante-post second favourite Quantitativeeasing at Kempton to a horse not even entered for the Festival.

In fairness, the winner got the run of the race in what was a crawl that would not have suited Nicky Henderson’s previously unbeaten horse but I wasn’t convinced he was top class before this race and am I certainly of the opinion he isn’t now.

The Betchworth Kid was even less suited to the slow pace so the close-up third was actually cut for this race after his defeat but I would think the Albert Bartlett looks the more likely option for him as the yard have Manyriverstocross for this who ran well when third in the Totesport Trophy.

I just wonder if they might look at one of the handicaps for him though. The winner of that race was Get Me Out Of Here but he is sure to have at least three other Festival entries so who knows where he will end up. My guess is maybe one of the handicaps.

Before the French Triumph Hurdle third Najaf won at Exeter on Sunday, Paul Nicholls said this was his most likely Festival target and that he would improve a lot for the run and it was a pleasing enough performance considering 2m1f would have been on the short side.

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The stable’s Noland won the same race prior to winning the Supreme but Najaf wouldn’t have the pace for that. The Neptune looks favourite but he is also in the Albert Bartlett.