Entries were revealed today for the four Grade One novice hurdles at The Festival – the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Tuesday, March 10), the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle (Wednesday, March 11), the JCB Triumph Hurdle (Friday, March 13) and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Friday, March 13).
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle always provides a thrilling curtain-raiser to The Festival and this year’s contest looks as competitive as ever with 112 entries, including 38 from Ireland. Leading contenders include last year’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner Cousin Vinny and the hugely exciting Hurricane Fly, who are two of seven entries from Willie Mullins’ yard, while Nicky Henderson’s Mad Max, unbeaten in four starts, looks one of the strongest contenders from the home-trained contingent.
Few horses so far this season have created such a favourable impression as Diamond Harry, who is now unbeaten in six starts and one of 125 entries for the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle. Two of his victories have come at Cheltenham, most recently in the Grade Two Racecourse Of The Year Classic Novices’ Hurdle on Festival Trials Day, January 24. There are 46 entries from Ireland while Francois Doumen supplies the two contenders from France.
Always one of the most competitive contests at The Festival, the JCB Triumph Hurdle has attracted 83 entries in 2009, including 20 from Ireland and two from France. There are several unbeaten four-year-olds engaged, including Zaynar from the Nicky Henderson stable and Starluck, who could aim to give Alan Fleming a Festival winner in his first season as a trainer. Alan King won the JCB Triumph Hurdle in 2005 with Penzance and with subsequent Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle victor Katchit in 2007. This year he has another strong contender in Walkon, who advertised his credentials with success in the Grade Two Wragge & Co Finesse Hurdle at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day.
The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, run over three miles, has received 102 entries, including 37 from Ireland and three from France. Paul Nicholls has nominated the contest as a likely target for Pride Of Dulcote.