Fergal O’Brien’s four-year-old now favourite for the Mares' Novices Hurdle in March
Cap Soleil was shortened in the market for both the Supreme and the Mares Novice Hurdle at the Festival in March of the back of a taking debut over hurdles at Newbury on Thursday afternoon. A three-time bumper winner, the four-year-old maintained her 100% record with a taking victory in what on paper looked a competitive contest.
Four of her five rivals were all last time out winners with Nicky Henderson’s Countister boasting strong French form on her first start for the Sevnbarrows yard. With two to jump it looked like the JP McManus horse was the one to beat as she hit the front under a motionless Barry Geraghty. However, it was Cap Soleil and Paddy Brennan who eventually pulled clear on the bridle after her jockey gave her a squeeze after jumping the last, with the mare extending her lead effortlessly with Brennan unmoved.
It's been a difficult week for Paddy Brennan but things look brighter as Cap Soleil maintains her unbeaten record @FOBRacing pic.twitter.com/OzH8tUxcXZ
— Newbury Racecourse (@NewburyRacing) November 9, 2017
33/1 for the Supreme this morning, bookmakers reacted by cutting the mare into as short as 16/1 post race. She is also a sea of blue on the Oddschecker grids for the Mares Novice Hurdle where she was slashed into favouritsm at just 7/1 with one bookmaker having been 16/1 this morning.
Earlier on the card, Claimantakinforgan entered the Supreme betting after victory in the opening novice hurdle for Nicky Henderson. A point-to-point winner, the five-year-old had showed strong form in bumpers last season and took to the jumping game with the minimum of fuss. 33’s in the ante-post market before today, some firms are now just 20/1 (best price 33/1).
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “Fergal O'Brien certainly has options with where to go next with Cap Soleil. The way she asserted herself after the last was the sign of a class horse, and the Irish trainer now has to decide whether to test her against the boys or target the Mares race at Cheltenham. It's no surprise to see her shorten for both at this stage.”
