FIRST
RACE OF THE SERIES AT CHELTENHAM TOMORROW
Cheltenham Racecourse
today announced that Neptune Investment Management (Neptune), which sponsors
the two and a half mile Novices' Hurdle Series, is extending its support for
another five years, up to and including The Festival 2017.
The exciting series of
races culminates with the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices'
Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs staged on Ladies Day at The Festival on
Wednesday, March 13.
A further six races,
including two at Warwick and Sandown Racecourses, complete the sponsorship,
with the first of those opening Cheltenham's season at 2.10pm tomorrow, Friday,
October 19, the first day of the two-day Showcase Meeting.
The New One, trained by Nigel
Twiston-Davies, heads a field of 10 and comes into the extended two and a half
mile contest on the back of a 26-length victory on his hurdling debut at Newton
Abbott on October 1.
He will lock horns with The
Jugopolist, trained by Rebecca Curtis, who sauntered to an 11-length
success on his first start over hurdles at Uttoxeter on October 7.
Curtis said:
"Hopefully The Jugopolist will run well in the Neptune Investment
Management Novices' Hurdle. He ran a really nice race when he won at Uttoxeter
and we always knew he would be better when he went hurdling over a trip.
"He has been perfect
since Uttoxeter and he had such an easy race there, I don't think it will be a
problem to run him again 12 days later at Cheltenham. I wasn't surprised with
how well he did it at Uttoxeter and we always fancied him going there because
he has good bumper form.
"The ground was quick
on his reappearance at Hereford and I would put his performance down to that as
he didn't let himself down. The ground at Cheltenham should suit him.
"I think Nigel
Twiston Davies' horse (The New One) will be very hard to beat but I think The
Jugopolist will run a nice race and hopefully we will find out more about him
tomorrow."
Other notable contenders
include Jeremy Scott's progressive seven-year-old Special Account, who
is three from three over hurdles, and classy bumper performer Village Vic,
trained by Philip Hobbs.
The other
Neptune-sponsored races are at The Open at Cheltenham (November 18), at Sandown
Park (December 7), on New Year's Day at Cheltenham (January 1, 2013), at
Warwick (January 12, 2013) and on Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham (January
26, 2013).
Founded in 2002, Neptune
Investment Management is an independent and privately owned fund management
company, built upon principles of teamwork and partnership. It is a multi-award
winning firm, focused on delivering outperformance over the long-term for investors
and their investments, be that ISAs, pensions or other equity-based
portfolios*.
Robin Geffen, Fund Manager
and CEO at Neptune, commented: "We are delighted to extend our sponsorship
of the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle Series for a further five
years. Every year the Series brings to the fore a future champion, be it a
champion hurdler or top-class chaser in the making. This is what defines the
'Neptune', as it has become affectionately known, a race that continues to be
the launch pad for so many future champions."
"At Neptune, we pride
ourselves in nurturing and developing young talent whether this is our own
employees or through our educational, sporting and arts projects. The extension
of our sponsorship highlights how we continue to be committed to providing a
race programme for the National Hunt champions of the future."
Peter McNeile, Head of
Sponsorship at Cheltenham, added: "We are delighted that Neptune has
extended its sponsorship of the Grade One Neptune Investment Management
Novices' Hurdle at The Festival and associated races on 'The Road to
Cheltenham' for another five years. This is a wonderful commitment to our
relationship and great news for such an important category of the horse
population."
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