Supreme Novices' Hurdle: Montbazon eases clear at Plumpton

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 30 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Montbazon was successful at Plumpton.

"We won't have learned a lot from that but he's a smashing horse..."

The Alan King-trained Montbazon got back to winning ways at Plumpton on Monday...

Considered a live contender for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, Montbazon had finished just a length behind Colour Squadron on his first start over hurdles at Newbury in December.

The only brief moment of concern for Wayne Hutchinson was when Montbazon jumped to the right at the third-last and cannoned into Victor Leudorum.

But he quickly recovered to finish 15 lengths in front of that rival.

"We won't have learned a lot from that but he's a smashing horse," said King.

"I'd like to give him a bit more practice and we might look at the Listed hurdle at Exeter in a couple of weeks."

Montbazon is currently trading at [20.0] for the Supreme, with Steps to Freedom heading the market at [9.4]. Cinders and Ashes ([12.0]), Darlan ([12.5]) and Simonsig ([14.5]) are also prominent in the betting.