Games impressive at Cheltenham Parlour Games landed his biggest prize over timber to date as he displayed a devastating turn of foot in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Blaklion attempted to make all, having already won at Grade Two level last time out, and turning into the straight he appeared to have them all in trouble, but Barry Geraghty had not moved a muscle on John Ferguson's regally bred gelding, who is a son of the Irish Oaks winner Petrushka. Despite being slightly short of room at the last, Parlour Games was quickly back on the bridle and scooted up the hill to win unextended by four and a half lengths at 10-1. The win is a boost to the Greatwood Hurdle claims of Dan Skelton's Blue Heron, who dismissed Parlour Games easily at Kempton earlier in the season. "He did it very well, my only worry was if he'd stay the trip being Flat-bred after all the rain," said Geraghty, whose mount was a classy performer on the level for Godolphin. "I was never not happy at any stage and it was just a matter of what he would find when push came to shove." Ferguson added: "He's a good horse, he had a good career on the Flat, he won a Melrose and is beautifully bred. I felt there was a real opportunity for him over this trip if he got it. "The boys at home have done a great job settling him. We put the hood on him today just to try and chill him slightly, but Barry said he was as sweet as a nut. "A lot of horses that join me are tired and the ones that have a zest for life usually make it and we have a lot of fun with them. Size isn't a problem, they need heart and confidence." RaceBets introduced Parlour Games at 16-1 for the Neptune at Cheltenham in March .
