Cheltenham Day 2 Tips for the Neptune Novices Hurdle 2017

Cheltenham day 2 tips for the Neptune Novices Hurdle on Wednesday 15th March with a 5/1 betting tip and a preview for the race.

The Neptune Novices Hurdle has been won by Istabraq and Faugheen in previous years under various sponsorship, but several prominent chasers have also performed well in this 2m 5f contest during their earlier hurdling career. Neon Wolf currently heads the market at about 9-4 but there are also several possible challengers worthy of note. 

 

Neptune Novices’ Hurdle Betting Tips

Harry Fry has still not officially confirmed Neon Wolf as a definite runner in the Neptune with a few options still available for the horse, and he produced an encouraging display when winning at Haydock in soft ground during his previous appearance. That distance was just short of two miles, but his effort in winning over an extended 2m2f at Exeter on New Year’s Day confirmed his stamina, especially as he claimed victory in an earlier three-mile point-to-point in Ireland.

Willie Mullins will hope to follow his successes in 2014 and 2016 with Bacardys set to be his main representative. The 6-year-old gelding fell in his first race over hurdles at Cork but has since won two subsequent contests in workmanlike fashion. His performance in winning the Deloitte at Leopardstown suggests that the 2m5f distance will be no problem as he was produced late in the race by jockey Pat Mullins.

Another of the contenders is likely to be Finians Oscar who is unbeaten in three hurdle races over various trips this season, and was particularly impressive when winning over 2m5f at Hereford in soft going during mid-December. Currently available at 5/1, he has yet to be really tested, and trainer Colin Tizzard has suggested that he will be ideally suited by a large field in the Neptune such is his competitive nature.

There is also the possibility of Monalee from the Henry De Bromhead yard featuring in this race, and he has only been beaten by Death Duty in three outings this term while Warren Greatrex is hopeful of a decent performance from Keeper Hill. His gelding won two low key contests at Bangor and Hereford this term, but finished his Cheltenham preparations by narrowly beating Messire Des Obeaux at Huntingdon, although he was receiving 8lb that day.

Keeper Hill could represent decent each way value at 2/-1 with some bookmakers, but Alan King is confident of revenge in the Neptune as that was the first defeat of Messire Des Obeaux in four hurdle outings, and he considers the horse may be more suited by the Cheltenham course.

 

Cheltenham Day 2 Tips

Neptune Novices Hurdle: Finians Oscar to win – 5/1 at Betfred.

 

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