Red Sherlock could bid to extend his unbeaten record to six in the £30,000 Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (3.00pm, 13 entries) over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day, Saturday, January 25.
The David Pipe-trained five-year-old captured bumpers at Towcester and Ascot last season, and opened his account this term in the Listed Fairlawne - Festival Jockey Club Fine Dining Bumper at Cheltenham in November.
He has also made an impressive start to his hurdling career, scoring by 14 lengths at Southwell on December 15 and three and three-quarter lengths at Wetherby on January 11, both at around two and a half miles.
Pipe reported: "Red Sherlock is a possible runner in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle. We will see how he is later in the week and make a decision on Friday.
"He has come out of his win at Wetherby fine. He didn't do much there and just had a canter round.
"He has beaten nothing in his two starts over hurdles, but has been very impressive. He jumped straight at Southwell and I think you will find in a better race he will jump straighter."
The 13 entries also include lightly-raced five-year-old Aubusson (Nick Williams) and
Creepy (Martin Keighley), who have both annexed Neptune Investment Management series races at Cheltenham this season, with Aubusson scoring on New Year's Day and Creepy capturing a Grade Two contest in November.
Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins has entered Renneti, second in the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December, and Rathvinden, while dual hurdle winner Irish Cavalier (Rebecca Curtis) and Sandown scorer Vaniteux (Nicky Henderson) are also engaged.
Last year's renewal produced two Cheltenham Festival winners with the winner At Fishers Cross going on to land the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and the runner-up, The New One, taking the series finale.
About the series
The Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle series consists of eight races throughout the Jump season, culminating with the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
It has proved not only an outstanding showcase for young hurdling talent but also a stepping stone to those that go on to shine at the highest level in open company, whether over hurdles or fences.
The Cheltenham Festival winners under Neptune Investment Management's sponsorship are The New One (2013), Simonsig (2012), First Lieutenant (2011) and Peddlers Cross (2010), while winners of the series races include last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth.
Now one of the leading corporate sponsors of British racing, Neptune has increased its sponsorship portfolio to include four races on the Flat in the summer, including two of the most prestigious trials for the Ladbrokes St Leger, the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
2013/14 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle Series
Friday, October 18, 2013 - Cheltenham - Won by Saint Roque, owned by Chris Giles & Ian Fogg, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Daryl Jacob.
Saturday, November 16, 2013 - Cheltenham - Won by Creepy, owned by Mark Boothright, T Hanlon and Steve Harman, trained by Martin Keighley and ridden by Ian Popham.
Friday, December 6, 2013 - Sandown - Won by Killala Quay, owned by Richard & Susan Perkins, trained by Charlie Longsdon and ridden by Richard Johnson.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 - Cheltenham - Won by Aubusson, owned by Jane Williams, trained by Nick Williams and ridden by Lizzie Kelly.
Saturday, January 11, 2014 - Warwick - Won by Deputy Dan, owned by Tim Syder, trained by Oliver Sherwood and ridden by Leighton Aspell.
Saturday, January 25, 2014 - Cheltenham
Saturday, February 15, 2014 - Ascot
Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - Cheltenham Festival
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