SOBER FOR A FESTIVE LEAD

Paul Ferguson sees Starz aligning for a seasonal treat as Christmas looms

- 

Due to a lack of rain, the National Hunt season was a little slow to get doing during late October and early November, then it arrived in bucket loads and we endured a testing ground three-day November meeting from Cheltenham.

One thing that has been noticeable during the early weeks of the new campaign is that there appears to be plenty of strength in depth in the British novice hurdle division, which is pleasing to see. Prior to the season getting underway, the yards of both Philip Hobbs and Johnson White and the Greystoke base of Nicky Richards were stables who I expected to do well in this division and both have indeed started well.

Hobbs and White are responsible for three of my British Leading Prospects in this year's edition of Jumpers To Follow and all three made a winning debut over hurdles. Starzand won what appeared to be a strong maiden at Ffos Las and has been earmarked for Newbury's Chal-low Novices' Hurdle over the Festive period, although I would expect to see him again in the interim. The imposing 5yo had options at Ascot and Newbury (2m4f novices' hurdle at the Coral Gold Trophy fixture, if this reaches you before then) towards the end of November, whilst Sandown's Grade 2 Winter Novices' Hurdle would be another option in early December.

A week later, Sober Glory struck for the Minehead operation, making all to beat smart bumper performer Kadastral by 12 lengths in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow. A strong galloper over the minimum trip, he looks sure to remain over two miles for the time being, certainly whilst the ground remains on the easy side. The Listed novices' hurdle at Sandown (Tingle Creek day) could be a suitable option for the unbeaten five-year-old, who beat A Pai de Nom (recent Cheltenham winner) on Rules debut in a Chepstow bumper last October.