Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle, not Supreme Novices' Hurdle, on Puffin Billy’s Cheltenham agenda
Trainer, Oliver Sherwood is intended to run Puffin Billy in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle, not the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, at the Cheltenham Festival, later this season. The 5-year-old is still unbeaten, and looks one of the hot cakes
in the upcoming extravaganza.
The son of Heron Island started his career in last march, when taking a big 17-length triumph at Fontwell. After dominating the proceeding in the 2m2½f Better Prices On Betfair Mobile Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, the dashing gelding went on long
vacations.
He returned to action with a huge bang in November 2012. By taking an outstanding 9-length triumph in Royal Ascot’s United House Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, he left a great impression. Kept doing the great job, he took another massive victory
in the same month.
The spectators at Newbury saw him beating Lydstep Point by five lengths in the Inkerman London "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle. The Kenneth Parkhill-bred registered his fourth consecutive win last month, when beating Up To Something by five lengths in Royal
Ascot’s Grade 2 Mitie Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle.
Having opened his account at the graded level, the T. D. J. Syder-owned is up for bigger prizes. He holds two big entries at Cheltenham, but the connections have decided to enter him in the 2m5f Neptune, for which he is 10-1 joint third favourite.
On the other hand, he is as short as 8-1 second favourite for the Supreme, which will be run over two miles and a half furlong. Sherwood said:
"So far he has only been running on ground with plenty of give which brings his stamina into play and I am leaning towards aiming him at the Neptune Hurdle rather than the Supreme.”
He continued: "I am sure he would get the longer trip and be comfortable at that speed before quickening, whereas I am concerned they might get him at it too soon in the Supreme, though we will decide after his next run."
Puffin Billy is likely to make his next start at Haydock on January 19th, although he holds the entry for a race at Cheltenham's Trials Day.
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