Bob's Worth 5-1 favourite for Neptune after Cheltenham cruise

By Sportsmail Reporter Updated: 10:39 EST, 29 January 2011

Nicky Henderson's Bobs Worth claimed what looks certain to be an informative Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle to book his place at the Cheltenham Festival.  

The six-year-old was sent off at 7-2 having won on his first couple of starts over obstacles and was always travelling kindly for Barry Geraghty.   

Taken wide into the straight, he had both Backspin and the strong-travelling Rock On Ruby to contend with heading towards the final flight, but he began to kick clear on the run to the line for a two-and-a-quarter-length success. 

Rock On Ruby ran a fine race to fill the runner-up spot, while Habbie Simpson ran on late to claim third with Backspin weakening disappointingly. 

Bookmakers Paddy Power immediately made Bob's Worth 5-1 favourite (from 20s) for the final of the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Geraghty said: 'Myself and my brother bought this horse as a yearling and Nicky stole him off me!  

'He's a very good horse. He was very green during the race but wasn't going to get beaten after the last.  

'That was a good race and he couldn't have done any more than he did.' 

Henderson added: 'It was a good performance. I thought we might be flying a bit high coming here but the amazing thing about this horse is that he's very laid back and he's got a great attitude.  

'He travelled very well and he's gone away in the end. He'll go straight to the Festival.'

Henderson added: 'We've got a few more to come and it's a question of juggling them around between two miles, two and a half and three.  

'Two and a half would be the trip for this one.'  

Rock On Ruby's trainer Paul Nicholls added: 'I thought he ran a good race and the ground might not have been quick enough for him.  

'He'll go straight for the two-and-a-half-miler back here at the Festival.' 

Backspin's trainer Jonjo O'Neill said: 'He jumped nicely and was going as well as any turning into the straight, but he just wasn't good enough today and he was beaten as well as any.'

Steve Gollings can take a serious look at the Festival after Local Hero passed his test in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham.  

Unbeaten from starts at Doncaster and Wetherby, the youngster was a little slap-dash at at the fourth-last and the final flight but Tony McCoy had enough left up the final hill to force the 15-8 favourite past the game Third Intention to win by two lengths.  

'That was brilliant - he came here with questions to answer and he has done that,' said Gollings.  

'They didn't go fast enough for him and he was still a bit novicey but he's only a new kid on the block. 

'It's great for a small yard and he'll have an entry in the Fred Winter back here, but I think we'll look seriously at the Triumph.'  

William Hill offer only 14-1 about his Triumph chances.

It was proving a day for the smaller training establishments as David Bridgwater's The Giant Bolster grabbed the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase from top weight.  

The gambled-on 5-1 shot appeared to be struggling to go the pace at the top of the hill, when Jamie Moore and Vino Griego set sail for home.  

But The Giant Bolster and Rodi Greene appeared to perk up with a sight of the finish, taking advantage of Vino Griego's rather lacklustre jumping by two and a quarter lengths.  

Bridgwater said: 'I think this is a very good horse and it's all about looking after him for the next two years, by which time he'll be mixing it with the very best.  

'Rodi gave him a fantastic ride and he's crying out for three miles. I think he'll go to the RSA Chase with a right shout and I'll wrap him up until then.'

Wishfull Thinking produced a thrilling display of jumping for a novice to defeat the seasoned professionals in the Murphy Group Chase.  

Philip Hobbs had evidently been tempted to take advantage of a favourable handicap mark despite his charge having run over fences only three times before.  

With a first-time tongue-tie, the 9-2 favourite he did not let him down.  

Richard Johnson rode Wishfull Thinking very positively and although at one stage it looked like Calgary Bay was about to overcome him, the pair found another gear and collected by three and a half lengths.  

'Richard was of the opinion that if the ground is good at Cheltenham he could get three miles for the RSA,' said Hobbs.   'Otherwise he would have no problems staying at this trip for the Jewson.  

'He was terrific today.'