Yanworth to repel Mullins battallion in Neptune Novices’ Hurdle

Mullins to spoil the party?

It definitely seems that Mullins has the best chance of upsetting the favourite saddling four out of the top five in the market. Ruby Walsh sticks with Yorkhill despite A Toi Phil impressing at Leopardstown when bolting up in a Grade 2 contest in January.

Walsh, who picked up three winners of Day One of the Festival, saddles the 5/2 shot and has been well supported antepost in all three races he was entered in. Bello Conti got rid of its maiden tag last time quite impressively, though may find a few of these Neptune Novice rivals too classy.

Thomas Hobson makes up the quartet and is the most exposed of Mullins’ team, however it did improve last time staying on resolutely to beat stablemate Open Eagle at Warwick.

Running in the colours of Rich Ricci, Hobson is likely to be frontrunner which may be pivotal to the chances of Yorkhill who would like to come off a strong pace.

Outside Chance?

Nicky Henderson’s O O Seven has place claims after winning at Musselburgh last time. However, it may be Dermot Weld’s challenger Vigil that poses the most potent threat to the market principles, having finished 4 lengths behind Yanworth when fifth in the Champion Bumper last year, so can’t be ruled out despite finishing behind A Toi Phil two starts ago.

Dan Skelton’s charge Welsh Shadow also is of interest after giving Alan King’s other exciting prospect, Winter Escape, a good race at Kempton last month. Its’afreebee, Yala Enkei and Ghost River complete the line-up in a race which has the potential to produce something special.

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