Hyde Novices' Hurdle Tips: Each Way Play Against Captain
Surprisingly, 2022 was the first year Paul Nicholls won the Hyde Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, with Hermes Allen an authoritative victor on the day. This season the master of Ditcheat sends another smart prospect in the shape of Captain Teague to the Grade 2 feature on Friday at Prestbury Park, and while he represents the most likely winner, he is not a backable price at odds-on. Billy Grimshaw likes the look of a less heralded rival at an each-way price and makes the case here...
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A field of eight are set to line up on Friday which will delight each-way players such as myself, although of course the fact remains that one non-runner scuppers our hopes of getting three places. A perilous position then to kick off, but nevertheless I do think Captain Teague is taking out a much larger chunk of the market than he should be on the back of his Persian War success at Chepstow a few weeks back. he is priced up at just 8/13 and while this is definitely a talented horse and here he returns to the scene of still his best performance in my view, the third in the Champion Bumper of 2023 in which he was by far the best of Britain. That display can be marked up again now the horse has shown that 2 miles is far too short for him. Indeed, I am of the opinion two and a half is too short and this is a Gold Cup horse in the making, so fingers crossed he is done for speed here and Nicholls sends him up to the Albert Bartlett to attempt to retain that race he won last season with Stay Away Fay.
Second favourite behind Captain Teague at the time of writing is The Big Doyen, who could give a mighty form boost to Willie Mullins' High Class Hero if successful or going close here. He did not run badly that day and indeed was in with a chance coming to two out, but made a mistake and the winner was much the best. Before that he won a decent novice at Galway on good ground, which is a slight concern looking at the forecast for Cheltenham. I'd expect soft ground on the day, which we know Captain Teague relishes. Minella Missile could be an interesting runner for Evan Williams after springing a 20/1 surprise last time out at Chepstow on stable debut. Watching the race back, despite his SP his backers will not have been worried at any point. The horse travelled sweetly and looked the winner a long way out, giving Adam Wedge a comfortable success. This is tougher but he could have a strong pace to aim at from The Big Doyen or indeed the third favourite KINBARA.
Those who saw my five to watch for this meeting will know how keen I am on John McDonnell's runner, and as much as I accept the merits of his wins over the summer probably are not up to this standard I do think he will be able to take the step up in class in his stride. The Big Doyen likes to get on with things and Kinbara will relish that, as he looks just the type to improve bundles with.a stronger pace than he has seen since his bumpers to aim at. He is chalked up early doors at William Hill at 6/1 and at that price, he will do for me each-way in the hope he can prove himself as a top notcher and Captain Teague regresses slightly.
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On strict form terms, Sequestered should really be shorter than The Big Doyen in the market and will have his backers coming over from Ireland for Paul Gilligan. The aforementioned High Class Hero beat this one into second place too, but secured a smaller margin of victory. Giilligan's charge got in the winners' enclosure last time out at Galway with a run that will have delighted the team. He travelled strongly throughout the race and when his rider asked the question he found generously for pressure. This, like it is for most, is a step up in class but he is not one to rule out. Both Captain Teague and The Big Doyen will be giving weight away all round here, with the favourite carrying 11st7 and the second fav 11st5. The remainder of the runners are all set to carry 11st2.
Moonovercloon is also entered on Saturday at Prestbury Park but if he takes up his entry here he could potentially have place prospects. He was fifth last time out at this course just a few days back at the Showcase Meeting in the Pertemps Hurdle, looking a bit one paced over three miles. Perhaps the drop in trip here will suit and he will be rejuvenated, but I don't see him winning here. Laura Morgan will be hoping Notovertillmay can win the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday but has a runner in here in Wild Side Of Life, who is a big 50/1 outsider. He split two well regarded horses at Wetherby last time out in second, behind the Skelton hotpot Charlie D'am who much is expected of, and perhaps he is overpriced.
The rank outsider is available at triple figures and that is Supreme Commander for Syd Hosie. The horse has not been seen since pulling up at Exeter in March of 2022 and this smacks of an entry Hosie made in the hopes the race would cut up. If he beats one home that would be a success. The selection Kinbara may not go on to have the same career as Captain Teague, however at the prices I think there are enough reasons to back him with the insurance of an each-way play in case Captain Teague really proves himself as a Ballymore contender, hopefully our lad can follow him home or indeed pip him at the post.
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