Yanworth can sail to success in Neptune Novices’ Hurdle

David Metcalf | March 15, 2016

Alan King’s exciting Yanworth can rule in the Neptune

Yanworth has done nothing but impress this season and can fend off a strong Irish challenge to land the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle that opens proceedings on day two of the Cheltenham Festival (13.30).

The Alan King trained gelding had some top form to his name in bumpers last season, including when fourth to Moon Racer at this meeting, and has has won all four starts over the obstacles in facile fashion.

In the last of those on Festival Trials day at this venue, Yanworth took the step up into Grade 2 company in his stride when sauntering to a seven length success over the highly regarded Shantou Village.

Strong traveller with potent turn of foot

After being held-up in the early stages by jockey Barry Geraghty, Yanworth scythed through the field without being asked any sort of question.

As Shantou Village kicked home home approaching the last, Geraghty sat motionless on the JP McManus owned six-year-old and oozed confidence.

It was then just a case of what Yanworth would find when he pushed the button, and the answer was plenty as he quickened clear instantly when asked on the run-in to win unextended.

It was one of the most exciting and breathtaking performances seen by a novice for many a year, and a reproduction is going to make Yanworth very tough to beat.