Taquin Du Seuil a left-field selection to land another festival win

1.30 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle 2m5f

Finian’s Oscar is injured but had already been displaced as favourite by Neon Wolf, with Bacardys threatening to usurp him as well. The latter’s wresting of a 2m2f Grade 1 from Bunk Off Early reinforced the notion that 2m5f would suit him, while Neon Wolf is acclaimed as the most exciting novice hurdler in Britain. He could start a very short price.

There has not been a winner at more than 7-1 in the last nine renewals and that may well continue but another trend could be broken. Since the race was founded in 1971, Gaelstrom in 1993 is the only winning mare. Mares of serious quality are in much greater abundance this season, however, and these days their allowance has gone up to 7lb. There is a Mares’ Hurdle and Mares Novices’ Hurdle to divert them but the concentration of resources in a few hands means that Let’s Dance could still end up in this race. She boasts serious form over the last two seasons and has been well suited by this winter’s step up to 2m4f. Unlike some of these, she has also shown her effectiveness on a variety of ground.