Harry Fry© Photo Healy Racing
Neon Wolf bids to confirm his tall reputation after being on many punters' list as a potential banker for the Cheltenham Festival ever since he ran out an impressive winner at Haydock in January.
The highly-regarded six-year-old heads the betting for today's Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle after connections opted for the two-mile-five-furlong race rather than the two-mile Supreme yesterday.
Neon Wolf has made just the three appearances under Rules, but has created a mighty impression in such a short time.
After romping home in a bumper at Uttoxeter in December, Neon Wolf made a winning debut over hurdles at Exeter on New Year's Day and then took the step up to Grade Two company in his stride as he cruised home by nine lengths from smart yardstick Elgin at Haydock.
Trainer Harry Fry said: "We're looking forward to running him and hopefully he'll give a good account of himself.
"We've gone for the Neptune because with the drying ground we think the step up in trip will suit him better than the two miles.
"It was soft ground when he won over that trip at Haydock so we feel the extra distance on this ground will play to his strengths.
"We've been very happy with his run up to the race. He's had a couple of away-days."
While Alan King greatly respects Neon Wolf, he remains bullish about the prospects of Messire Des Obeaux
The Barbury Castle said: "I'm very happy with him. He won his first three including a Grade One at Newbury.
"He got beaten the other day in his trial at Huntingdon. It was very much a trial. I hadn't been too hard on him and he was giving the winner 8lb on a track that didn't really suit him.
"The big plus is that he has come out of that extremely well and is in great form.
"It has brought him forward and I couldn't be any happier with him. The preparation has gone great and he looks a picture.
"I know Neon Wolf's form is good, but Messire Des Obeaux is a second-season novice and that can be quite an advantage, while he has Cheltenham Festival experience having finished sixth in the Fred Winter last year.
"I think he has got a huge chance. I'm not saying he can beat Neon Wolf, but he has a huge each-way chance and I can't see him being out of the frame." Keeper Hill was the horse that inflicted the first defeat of the campaign upon Messire Des Obeaux.
That took his winning run to three and his trainer Warren Greatrex believes the six-year-old is still on the upgrade.
"He's improving with every run and I'm very happy with him," said the Lambourn handler.
"He came out of Huntingdon very well. Obviously it's a big step up, but fingers crossed he can do himself justice."
Patrick Mullins steered Bacardys to victory for his father Willie in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last month and the six-year-old has impressed in his preparation since.
The amateur rider told At The Races: " He did a fantastic piece of work during the week and stepping up three furlongs will help.
"There's a lot of word about Neon Wolf and I think our lad has gone under the radar a little bit. He has solid Grade One form."
Mullins saddles three other horses - Bon Papa Kemboy and Livelovelaugh - as the Closutton handler bids to lift this prize for a fifth time.
Mullins' arch rival Gordon Elliott fires two bullets, Brelade and Shattered Love as he seeks to land this race for the first time.
Ben Pauling has kept Willoughby Court under wraps since his convincing victory in the Leamington Novices' Hurdle at Warwick in January.
"He's all set to go and I don't think I've ever had him in better form," said the Gloucestershire trainer.
"Neon Wolf is obviously the talking horse and he looks like he's going to be very good, but plenty of horses with big reputations get beaten - I was on the tail-end of that with Barters Hill last year.
"All we can do is get our horse there in the best form he can be and I know he is. I think he's got a right squeak."
