The Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle, known for producing future champions
such as Istabraq and Hardy Eustace, has attracted a huge entry of 156, including 57
from Ireland.
Nicky Henderson’s nine-strong entry is headed by the J P McManus-owned Aigle D’Or. The five-year-old was an impressive winner over Hold Em in the same sponsor’s trial race at Cheltenham on January 26, in which last year’s Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle winner Massini’s Maguire was third 12 months ago. This year’s fourth, fifth and sixth from that race, Razor Royal, Gauvain and Flower Haven, are also among the entries.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is also well-represented at this stage with seven possibles, headed by this month’s Grade One Tolworth Hurdle winner Breedsbreeze, who carries the famous Best Mate colours of Jim Lewis. The Dicheat trainer’s team also includes I’msingingtheblues, a winner of the Grade Two Anglo Irish Bank Private Banking Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 13 and Grade One Ballymore Properties Challow Novices' Hurdle runner-up Elusive Dream. Seeking a 14th win in the race, the raiding party from across the Irish Sea looks to have a particularly strong hand in the two mile, five furlong Grade One contest. Among the Irish entries are Oliver McKiernan’s Whatuthink and Tom Cooper’s Forpadydeplasterer, who filled the first two places in the Grade Two Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in December ahead of Majestic Concorde, Aranleigh and Antipode, are among the entries, along with Eamonn Sheehy’s Grade One scorer Trafford Lad.
The last-named narrowly failed to defy a penalty when finishing second to Mouse Morris’ smart hurdle Venalmar in the Grade Two Slaney Novice Hurdle at Navan earlier this month. Race sponsor Sean Mulryan may bid to get a portion of the £120,000 prize fund back with Brodimix, who has joined Martin Brassil after winning three hurdles and a Flat race in France. Connections of Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle favourite Sizing Europe are represented by stablemate Sizing Africa in the entries. Last year’s winning trainer Philip Hobbs has entered three, including smart Flat recruit Cutting Crew, who has yet to make his hurdling debut, and I Hear A Symphony, a bumper winner in Ireland for Mag Mullins who could carry the colours of last year’s winner for owner Alan Peterson. Hobbs is also represented by County Zen, who followed up a second to I’msingingtheblues at Wincanton with two successes at the end of last year.
With the most entries, Alan King’s 10 are topped by dual Cheltenham Grade Two scorer Franchoek, Group Captain, a smart Flat performer who has won both of his start over hurdles, and last year’s Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle fourth Zilcash.