21-Strong Entry For Jewson Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final

An exciting 21-strong entry has been received for the £22,000 Jewson Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final, run over an extended two miles at Cheltenham on Friday, October 19. To be eligible, horses must have either run in or been eliminated from a Jewson Novices' Hurdle Race Series Qualifier prior to October 13, 2007.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Hot Zone is looking for a four-timer, having landed the hat-trick in impressive style at Stratford on August 13, recording a facile 10-length success over Comeintothespace. The trainer says his charge has a 'sporting chance.'

Top-weight Danehill Willy is on an upward curve. Evan Williams' charge scored at the second time of asking over hurdles at Wincanton in May and was very impressive when beating Mon Michel by nine lengths at Uttoxeter on June 7, with John Spearing's Rajeh further back in third.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has entered Platin Grounds, who got off the mark over hurdles at Perth on September 27, and Osprey View, who ran well to finish third behind the promising Gwanako in a handicap at Chepstow on October 13.

Another trainer who is doubly represented is Brendan Powell. Cape Greko came home three lengths clear of Maurice Barnes' Skiddaw Jones at Sedgefield in August and went in again at Fontwell a month later, while Contra Mundum has raced consistently, winning at Stratford in the summer.

Golden Alchemist, trained by Mark Usher, had five lengths to spare over Osprey View at Market Rasen in July, following up his earlier victory at Huntingdon in May.

The Ben de Haan-trained Classic Gold was a ready winner at Huntingdon back in May but has not run since. Dan Buoy, trained by Alan King, made an impressive debut over jumps at Fontwell on August 23, when he defeated Art Virginia by eight lengths, but has not been able to get competitive in two subsequent runs.

Bon Viveur, from the powerful Philip Hobbs stable, was runner-up to Coda Agency at Towcester on October 10, with Investment Wings back in ninth. Liam Corcoran's Im Busy, who broke his duck at Newton Abbott on August 22, finished fifth at the same course 11 days later.

Five-time Flat winner Augustine, trained by Lucinda Russell, qualified for a handicap mark over hurdles when a decent third at Hexham on October 5, while another recruit from the Flat, Palomar, has yet to really shine at the jumping game, and finished well behind Platin Grounds at Perth last time.

The two Irish entries are the John Carr-trained Compton Court, winner of his first two hurdles races at Kilbeggan and Roscommon before running seventh behind Plating Grounds at Perth on September 27, and Jim Lambe's Andijan, who was third that day.