High-class flat racers Humphrey Bogart and Scarlet Dragon are set for a tricky debut, as they take on the Grade Two Dovecote Novice Hurdle at Kempton.
Formerly trained by leading flat trainer Richard Hannon, Humphrey Bogart was a listed winner at Lingfield before finishing fifth in the Epsom Derby.
He makes his first start in over 500 days, but is a very exciting recruit to the National Hunt and it’s champion trainer Nicky Henderson.
“I know Nicky was keen to get this first run under his belt,” said James Ramsden, manager of owners Chelsea Thoroughbreds.
“He seems to be doing everything the right way at home and we're optimistic.
"He's coming back from a long time off and he's had a tendon injury.
“He's not entered at Cheltenham and he'd have to do something seriously impressive on Saturday for us to consider anything to do with that, and that would be down to Nicky.
“We're not looking any further than Saturday."
Scarlet Dragon brings some excellent flat form to the race, a winner of top handicaps at Newmarket at York he went close to striking in graded company when losing by a head in the September Stakes.
With such ability shown, a big run is expected on his hurdling debut and trainer Alan King could run him at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
“Scarlet Dragon is a high-class recruit from the Flat, where he was placed in Group races, and his schooling has gone very well,” King told his website.
“The plan had been to start him off at Newbury’s Betfair meeting, but he came up with a poor scope and we pulled him out, which was probably a blessing in disguise as the ground was brutal there.
“He’s obviously got a tough task being pitched straight into a Graded race, but we need to know whether he is worth a crack at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and the clock is ticking by.”
Mont Des Avaloirs is the hot favourite, after finishing third in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle on his last start, meanwhile Colin Tizzard’s Shoal Bay finished fourth at Cheltenham back in December.
Michael's Mount was a victorious on his hurdling debut for Ian Williams, whilst Dan Skelton’s Destrier ran out a very impressive eight-length winner at Wetherby last month.
Global Citizen, Ballywood and Rockpoint complete the ten-runner field.
TIP: I think my verdict goes to Destrier who should enjoy everything about this run. The ground and trip will suit him well and he has both experience and class which could be key here. Clearly Scarlet Dragon is a very nice prospect and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run a big race on his hurdling debut.
