Lizzie bursts a few bubbles

Lizzie Kelly ensured a couple of bubbles were burst in the opener at Cheltenham yesterday as the rider made most of the running on 9-1 shot Aubusson to see-off a Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle field that included the much-vaunted pair Ballyalton and Racing Pulse.

Five horses were covered by about a length jumping the last, but Aubusson found extra to hold 22-1 outsider Regal Diamond with 15-8 favourite Racing Pulse third and Ballyalton fourth.

Kelly is the daughter of owner Jane Williams, wife of winning trainer Nick Williams. Mrs Williams said: “We were almost scared to bring the horse to Cheltenham but that makes him one of the top novices in the country. When we saw the rain that was all to the good, but he won’t get those conditions at the Festival so that must be in doubt.”