Stan James cut Zaidpour from 11s to 9/2 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after his fluent success in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse earlier today. He is 6/1 for the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival but we believe he is more likely to go for Tuesday’s curtain raiser.
Head of PR Charlie McCann: ” Whilst his hurdling may not have been as fluent as Cue Card’s last Saturday we think Zaidpour is a real threat to last season’s Champion Bumper winner and Cue Card v Zaidpour would get the Festival off to a wonderful start.”
Supreme Novices Hurdle ~ Outright Ante Post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)
11-4 Cue Card (from 5/2)
9-2 Zaidpour (from 11s)
12 Kid Cassidy
12 Toubab
16 Megastar
20 Hidden Universe
20 Bobs Worth
20 Prince Of Pirates
20 Dare Me
25 Bar
Neptune Novices Hurdle ~ Outright Ante Post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)
6 Zaidpour (from 10s)
10 Al Ferof
14 Kid Cassidy
16 Bishopsfurze
16 Dare Me
16 Megastar
16 Bobs Worth
16 Last Instalment
16 Hidden Universe
20 Bar
Hurricane Fly is the 7/2 joint favourite (from 7/1) for the Stan James Champion Hurdle after his impressive success in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.
StanJames Champion Hurdle ~ Outright Ante Post – Binocular Giveaway, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)
7-2 Hurricane Fly (from 7/1)
7-2 Menorah
5 Binocular (from 9/2)
6 Peddlers Cross
16 Bar
Hurricane Fly made a tremendous reappearance to deny his old rival Solwhit again in a thrilling finish to the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The talented duo were locked in battle from the final flight but just as at Punchestown in April, Hurricane Fly (11-4) came out on top – but only after a hard-fought tussle.
He was completing a quick double on the card for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend after their success in the previous race with the smart Zaidpour.
Aitmatov made the running, with the two principals tucked away in midfield, until last year’s winner Oscar Dan Dan took it up briefly.
Solwhit then made his bid two out but he was soon joined by Hurricane Fly and the pair treated racegoers to a battle royal with the latter getting home by a length and a half. Voler La Vedette was third.
