Fingal Bay unlikely to make Cheltenham

FINGAL BAY, ante-post favourite for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle, was on Friday described as "unlikely" to make the Cheltenham Festival.

The Challow Hurdle winner had been a big drifter on the exchanges after trainer Philip Hobbs reported on Thursday that his unbeaten star had injured his near-hind hamstring.

Hobbs's wife Sarah admitted at Sandown on Friday that Fingal Bay will struggle to be fit in time as, in her experience, recovery from muscular problems of such a nature typically takes "about ten days to two weeks, and so it's come a bit too close to Cheltenham really".

Looking ahead, she told Racing UK viewers: "Roger [Skan, owner] doesn't like Aintree, as he's had a few go wrong there and he's not a great fan, but he might goto Punchestown or there may be something here.

"He's never been lame in his life before, it's just bad timing, but it isn't the end of the world - he is still alive, and he'll go again."

Paddy Power quoteFingal Bay as 9-2 (with a run) for the Neptune with Boston Bob and Simonsig, who is also prominent in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle betting, their 4-1 joint-favourites.

Simonsig's trainer Nicky Henderson revealed a decision about which race the novice will go for is still to be made.

Henderson said: "He schooled this morning and he jumped absolutely magnificently but I am still sitting on the fence.

"I don't know what the latest news about Fingal Bay is but that's not the point for us, it's a matter of what we think is the right trip for him."

From midnight, bet365 will become the first major firm to offer the 'non-runner no bet' concession for all races at Cheltenham and added a significant extra attraction with 'best odds guaranteed' terms.