Sunday 3 December 2017

Red Jack aims to establish his place at the top of novice rank in competitive Royal Bond

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Noel Meade's unbeaten hurdler Red Jack hopes to establish his Supreme Novice Hurdle hope as he takes on some of Ireland's promising youngsters in the Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle (1:00).

The four-year-old beat Debuchet well on debut, who went on to finish second in the Champion Bumper, before winning by six lengths at Leopardstown.

He made a fine start over hurdles, striking comfortably at Naas and takes a steep step up in class for this Grade One.

"He won his maiden well and we've been happy with him since," Meade told the Racing Post.

He added: "This will be a big step up in class but he's a horse we like and we thought it worth giving him a shot at it."

Mengli Khan is currently the bookmakers favourite for the two-mile curtain raising contest at the Cheltenham Festival, and seeks to make it three from three over hurdles.

He has won stylishly both on debut and in a Grade Three contest last time out, and remains an exciting youngster for the Gigginstown team.

"Mengli Khan is the pick of our three," Elliott told his Betfair blog.

"He's a lovely horse with loads of boot and he did it very easily the last day in a Grade 3 at Navan.

"A horse that will only improve with time I think he's an exciting prospect and I'm expecting a big run from him today in this seven runner contest."

Elliott also runs outsiders Morgan and Hardline.

Willie Mullins saddles Makitorix who was a good winner on his hurdling debut, whilst Joseph O'Brien is represented by Le Richebourg.

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