Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle
(Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle Grade 2, Cheltenham 15:00 £30,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 110y, Class 1
Saturday 25th January 2014

1 Red Sherlock 9/4
2 Rathvinden 6/4F
3 Aubusson 7/1
NR: Owen Na View (IRE)
6 ran Distances: 2½l, 29l, 42l
TIME 5m 20.15s (slow by 38.15s)

David Pipe believes that Red Sherlock is a leading contender for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Red Sherlock
© Racehorse Photos

The son of the brilliant racemare Lady Cricket, trained by Pipe's father, Martin, successfully stepped up to Grade Two company at Prestbury Park on Saturday when extending his unbeaten run to six with a two and a half length defeat of Irish raider Rathvinden.

That performance has convinced the Somerset handler that the five-year-old now holds leading claims for the Spring Festival where he will be given a number of options.

"The way in which the front two pulled readily clear of the remainder of the field suggests that this was a very good performance," he wrote on his website www.davidpipe.com.

"Heavy going has been known to exaggerate winning distances, although I see no reason why he shouldn't be at least as effective on better ground.

"He can progress further and looks a leading contender for the Neptune in March. He will be given an entry in the Albert Bartlett as well, although we have another likely candidate for that in the shape of Kings Palace.

"Most of all I was delighted for the Johnson family. Red Sherlock is a home bred gelding out of the late David Johnson's great mare Lady Cricket so to emerge from Trials day still unbeaten and with a live chance at 'the main event' is something very special.

"I know that DJ would be relishing the prospect and there is nothing I would like more than to see his famous silks victorious come March," he added.

Red Sherlock is a general 8/1 second favourite behind Faugheen for the Neptune and two points longer for the Albert Bartlett.

Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle
(Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2)
£30,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 110y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Heavy, Soft in places

	Dist	Horse	Jockey /Weight	Trainer	Age
1st		Red Sherlock 9/4	T Scudamore 11-9	D Pipe	5
2nd	2½	Rathvinden (IRE) 6/4f	B J Geraghty 11-12	W P Mullins	6
3rd	29	Aubusson (FR) 7/1	Lizzie Kelly 11-12	Nick Williams	5
4th	42	Regal Diamond (IRE) 16/1	J E Moore 11-5	P Bowen	6
5th	26	Creepy (IRE) 14/1	Ian Popham 11-12	M Keighley	6
PU		Madness Light (FR) 7/1	A P McCoy 11-12	W Greatrex	5
NR		Owen Na View (IRE)	Conor Shoemark 11-5	F M O'Brien	6