StanJames.com Champion Hurdle favourite The New One and
last year's winner Zarkandar headline seven entries for the £130,000
Grade Two StanJames.com International Hurdle (3.00pm) over two miles and a
furlong at Cheltenham on Saturday, December 14, day two of The International.
The New
One was one of last season's leading novice hurdlers, annexing the Grade One
Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at The Festival, while Zarkandar
was successful on four of his five starts and came out on top by half a length
when the pair clashed in a thrilling renewal of the Aintree Hurdle in April.
The New
One, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, jumped to the top of the StanJames.com
Champion Hurdle betting following a 10-length demolition of Rock On Ruby in a two-mile
Listed hurdle at Kempton Park on October 20.
Zarkandar
returned this season with a creditable second to unbeaten mare Annie Power, to
whom he was conceding 11lb, in the Ascot Hurdle on November 23.
Also
among the entries is the Evan Williams-trained Court Minstrel, who came
into this season with a big reputation following eye-catching victories in the
Sussex Champion Hurdle and Scottish Champion Hurdle in 2012/2013.
The
six-year-old failed to make an impression on his seasonal return in a two-mile
Listed handicap hurdle at Ascot, but shaped better when a staying-on seventh to
Dell' Arca under top-weight of 11st 12lb in the £100,000 StanJames.com
Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 17.
Williams
reported today: "Court Minstrel will run in the StanJames.com
International Hurdle. He has been in flying form since the Greatwood and I
thought he ran a really good race under top-weight - I was delighted with him.
"We
hoped at the start of the season that he had progressed from last year, but he
hasn't and that is what he is. He is in very good form though and his work has
been as good as it's ever been.
"If
we finish third, I will be very happy and just to be running in a race with the
likes of The New One and Zarkandar is brilliant.
"He
is impossible to place now because he has been beaten in two handicaps this
season and hasn't been dropped a pound.
"The
positives on Saturday are that the ground will be perfect for him, the small
field will suit and we are running for a lot of money."
Seabreeze
D'Ho, who recorded Listed handicap hurdle successes at Auteuil on
October 19 and November 3, and Albert Hall, who has won on his last four
starts (two Flat, two hurdles) are set to line up for French handlers Christian
Le Galliard and Arnaud Chaille-Chaille.
The
seven entries are completed by Hawkhill and Jumps Road.
Le Bec and Shutthefrontdoor,
who finished first and second at The Open on November 16, are among nine
entries for the £20,000 Ryman Stationery Novices' Chase over three miles, one
and a half furlongs (12.40pm).
Rory
Jiwani of sponsors StanJames.com said: "This should be a good test of The
New One's Stan James Champion Hurdle credentials with Zarkandar defending his
crown for the red-hot Paul Nicholls.
"We
make Nigel Twiston-Davies' Neptune winner the 8/13 favourite and we go 5/1 that
he wins the StanJames.com International before taking the Stan James Champion
Hurdle in March. Zarkandar is 7/4 for Saturday's race and 40/1 for the double.
"With
quick ground forecast for the meeting, Evan Williams' Court Minstrel will
hopefully be able to show the form that won him the Scottish Champion Hurdle
last season. He would have a chance of mixing it with the big two on his best
form and The International lives up to its name this year with two entries from
France in the form of Listed hurdle winners Seabreeze d'Ho and Albert
Hall."
StanJames.com
International antepost (EW 1/4 1,2): 8/13 The New One; 7/4
Zarkandar; 10/1 Court Minstrel; 16/1 Jumps Road; 20/1 Seabreeze d'Ho; 33/1
Hawkhill; 100/1 Albert Hall
To win
StanJames.com International Hurdle and 2014 StanJames Champion Hurdle: 5/1
The New One; 40/1 Zarkandar
Stan
James Champion Hurdle antepost: 7/2 The New One; 4/1 My Tent Or
Yours; 5/1 Our Conor; 6/1 Hurricane Fly; 9/1 Jezki; 12/1 Annie Power; 25/1
Zarkandar, Un De Sceaux; 33/1 Diakali, Grandouet, Rock On Ruby, Rolling Star;
40/1 Oscar Whisky, Melodic Rendezvous, Dell' Arca; 50/1 Far West, Cinders And
Ashes, L'Unique, Up And Go, Grumeti, Sametegal; 66/1 Ted Veale, Rock Critic,
Court Minstrel, Ubak, Dodging Bullets
Going
The
going at Cheltenham remains
Chase
and Hurdle Course: Good
Cross
Country Course: Good, Good to Firm in places
The
forecast is for dry weather until Thursday, with a spell of rain through Friday
(4mm).
About
The International
The International
takes place at Cheltenham on Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14,
offering more than £520,000 in prize money over the two days.
Key
races include the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International, a leading
trial for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at The Festival, the £100,000 Grade
Three Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup, the £45,000 Grade Three Majordomo
Hospitality Handicap Chase and the £40,000 Grade Two Osborne House Relkeel
Hurdle.
The
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase also takes place over
Cheltenham's unique Cross Country Course and completes Europe's Crystal Cup
Challenge.
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