Kalderon faces tough Cuan challenge

FESTIVAL possible Kalderon has his first taste of Cheltenham today in the Anglo Irish Private Banking Novices’ Hurdle. Connections have the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle back at Prestbury Park in March as the main objective for the six-year-old.

Tom Hogan’s runner, a smart performer on the Flat, is unbeaten in two runs over hurdles at Listowel and Tipperary and is a 25-1 chance for his Festival target.

However, he met with a setback after the latter victory nearly six weeks ago and his eight rivals today include Paul Nolan’s Cuan Na Grai, who is ante-post favourite at around 10-1 for the Supreme Novices’.