Royal Bond Hurdle 2012

[Guest]

Royal Bond Novice Hurdle - Winner**2012-12-02

Champagne Fever (11/8), Minsk (3), Jezki (7/2), Clonbanan Lad (8), Ally Cascade (10), Zuzka (14), Midnight Oil (33)

[Lester]

Thank you Cooper ...our stats http://www.fatjockey.com/festivals/r...dle-Trends-113

[GMOOH]

PROMISING JEZKI LOOKS MY PICK AT FAIRYHOUSE

I have several nice rides at Fairyhouse on Sunday and the pick of them is JEZKI in the Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle (1.05) where last season’s Cheltenham bumper winner Champagne Fever makes his second appearance over hurdles having won his debut as a 1-8 shot should a few weeks ago.

But I have a lot of faith on Jezki who is two from two this season and improving with each one.

The ground has been softer than ideal for him both times he’s won and although it will be soft at Fairyhouse it will be fresh ground that will help.

I have plenty of respect for Champagne Fever but mine is a very good horse with a lot of pace.

[mayo]

The same can be said for the novice hurdle division in the context of the Royal Bond which features the compelling clash of codes as the Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner goes head to head with a Cesarewitch winner, with both having annihilated their opponents on their only start this season.

United with Ruby Walsh for the first time in public, it is mildly surprising that Champagne Fever is turning out over the smaller obstacles at all, as it appeared more likely the giant grey would emulate former Mullins inmates Florida Pearl and Missed That by skipping the hurdles discipline altogether and going straight to fences after his Festival Bumper victory.

Main rival today Minsk has approached the discipline from a totally opposite angle as a Flat-bred son of Arc winner Dalakhani with a Flat rating of 103. Nonetheless, the way he routed his field (trouncing a talented and unbeaten Mullins mare) at Punchestown two weeks ago, coupled with the fluency of his jumping, make him a fascinating contender today. Jockey Bryan Cooper said afterwards: "That was very impressive. I had to go on and ride my own race from a long way out, but he jumped from hurdle to hurdle, he went on the ground and quickened again going to the last."

Improving pair Jezki and Clonbannon Lad will ensure it isn't simply a head-to-head.

[mayo]

1.05 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (2m)

As a dual Grade One-winning star of the bumper ranks, Champagne Fever sets a tall standard. He won as readily as he was entitled to on his jumping bow at Cork and, while he may need further in time, heavy ground at this trip will provide test enough.

Clonbanan Lad could do no more than he did at Punchestown, but was shy of the best last term. Of the remainder, Minsk and Jezki, two four-year-olds, are of most interest.

While both have huge potential, at this stage Jezki has the best form. Ally Cascade and Un Beau Matin, his closest victims in two hurdling outings, have both won since.

Verdict: Jezki is feared, but Champagne Fever remains a formidable prospect.

[mayo]

Champagne Fever, who pulled off a rare double by capturing the champion bumper events at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals last season, made the perfect start to his hurdling career when justifying prohibitive odds at Cork last month and understandably heads the market for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. However that was a desperately weak affair and he gives the impression he will be ideally served by longer trips so at the prices might be worth taking on. Minsk, who was a very classy performer on the level and looked good when opening his account in this discipline at Punchestown, is also probably better over further so the vote goes to Jessica Harrington’s Jezki. The son of Milan’s sole defeat to date came when eighth behind Champagne Fever at Cheltenham but he possibly wasn’t at his best on that occasion and has looked a different proposition in winning both hurdle starts at Naas, achieving the best level of form in this field in the process.