Any fears that the inauguration of the Spa Hurdle in 2005 would detract from the quality of the Baring Bingham haven't come to pass; Mikael d'Haguenet and Peddlers Cross are recent proof enough of that (the latter even had a future Ascot Gold Cup winner back in third 12 months ago).
Year-in year-out the race looks more than deserving of its Grade 1 status (something which can't generally be said of the Spa) and, whilst at present open-looking, this season's renewal is sure to be no different. That said, there are a couple from either side of the Irish Sea who make no little appeal at current prices.
It would be reasonable to imagine that the Challow Hurdle would have a significant bearing on the Baring Bingham and, whilst no winner of that race has gone on to win at Cheltenham in March (Reve de Sivola went close last season), Backspin looks the obvious starting-off point.
The winner of a bumper for Mags Mullins last spring, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has shot to prominence in no time since coming to Britain, winning the Grade 1 at Newbury just a fortnight after a successful hurdling debut at Bangor. Admittedly, it's impossible to make hard-and-fast conclusions about the Newbury race given the 'pea-souper' that had enveloped the course that day, but what is clear is that Backspin deserves plenty of credit for getting the better of more streetwise rivals at this nascent stage of his career.
It was eight lengths back to Court In Motion, who improved his form to the extent he looked capable of doing when a facile winner at Exeter on his reappearance. During the brief glimpses of the field at Newbury, it was clear that Court In Motion had been dropped out whereas Backspin was ridden closer to the pace, It's difficult to know how far tactics played a role but, either way, it's something of a surprise that the disparity in their relative prices for Cheltenham is as great as it is, as Lavelle's Court In Motion still remains a very exciting prospect in his own right, both for the short and long-term.
What of third-placed Al Ferof? Runner-up to Cue Card in the Champion Bumper last season, he might have been thought the most likely of the Challow field to be considered a leading contender for the Baring Bingham even though he'd fallen at Cheltenham on his hurdling debut. He'd made the running then but was ridden with much more restraint at Newbury, and his potential for Graded races remains intact; he can't fail to win an ordinary novice, anyway.
Three-time winner Rock On Ruby wasn't far removed from stablemate Al Ferof when it came to bumpers and, unlike that one he made a successful transition to hurdles on that same fog-enshrouded card at Newbury. He did go from the front, we know that, though whether or not he was able to establish a soft lead is difficult to determine, as is what precisely he achieved in beating impressive Ascot winner Megastar and warm favourite Kid Cassidy by six lengths and twelve lengths respectively.
Another high-end recruit from bumpers who needs considering after a faultless start to his hurdling career is Dare Me. After suffering a setback he got his career back on track in no uncertain manner last term, culminating in his close second to the aforementioned Megastar at Aintree. He's made short work of inferior rivals in a couple of Exeter novices thus far this season and remains an excellent prospect, though he needs to be tested more thoroughly before his potential for the top level can be assessed.
The biggest impression made on either side of the Irish Sea this season was arguably that created by Zaidpour in winning the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse. A half-brother to the high-class Zaynar, Willie Mullins' five-year-old trotted up on his hurdling debut at Punchestown a month before sauntering to success over Pineau de Re and looking for all the world a champion novice in the making. Little surprise, then, he was sent off at long odds-on to follow up in another Grade 1 event at Leopardstown over Christmas. He was arguably ridden with a shade too much confidence and just failed to get to First Lieutenant, though at the same time he still shaped like the best horse in the race with the way he travelled and is well worth another chance to confirm himself as one on the way to the top. Zaidpour is the type of horse it might be worth having in the Cheltenham book for both potential targets (also prominent in the Supreme betting), as he will likely be shorter on the day wherever he turns up, thus giving the chance to lay off for your stake on the other race.
As ever, Mullins will doubtless hold a strong hand when it comes to most of the novice races at the Festival, and this one isn't going to be any exception. So Young won a trio of bumpers in France and could barely have been more impressive in making a winning start over hurdles in a maiden at Leopardstown the day before Zaidpour's reverse there. He still has a long way to go in form terms, but the manner in which he dismissed twenty-three rivals suggests he's destined for the top. That said, he's priced up much more on style than substance.
Recommendation
Back Zaidpour @ 11.0 and Court In Motion @ 40.0 for the Baring Bingham Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham
