The Excitement Builds with Novice Entries
On Tuesday, the entries for the Cheltenham Festival novice hurdles and chases were unveiled, sending ripples of excitement through the racing community. Among those entries is the much-anticipated JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite, Lulamba, who now has the option to compete in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Two weeks ago, this juvenile burst onto the scene when his odds plummeted ahead of a stable debut at Kempton Park, an event that was unfortunately abandoned.
Henderson’s Rising Star
After a dazzling performance at Ascot on Saturday, Lulamba is now firmly in the spotlight. Yet, those who backed him to win the Triumph Hurdle at 11-8 might be tossing and turning at night, wondering if the competition is really as flimsy as it seems. A lot will depend on how Henderson’s new German recruit, Palladium, performs at Huntingdon on Thursday. Owned by Lady Bamford—whose family company sponsors the Triumph—expectations are high!
The Plunge of Mullins’ Entries
Meanwhile, the current favourite for the Supreme, Salvator Mundi, is also owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, adding to the competitive tension since Mullins boasts a whopping 22 out of the 64 entries in the Supreme. Other contenders, like Dan Skelton’s The New Lion, owned by JP McManus, and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Potters Charm, also show promise with entries in both the Supreme and the Turners novices’ hurdle.
With 79 entries in the Turners, the competition is heated! Not to forget Mullins’ Final Demand, who has options in all three novice hurdles. This year’s festival is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown, ensuring that fans have much to anticipate!
