Numide targets Festival ticket

Victory for Numide at Kempton tomorrow would ensure a place for Gary Moore’s charge at the Cheltenham Festival.

The French import is available at around 10-1 for the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after winning both his races over jumps so far.

He was a smart performer on the Flat when trained by Jean-Claude Rouget with his wins including the Group Two Prix Hocquart at Longchamp.

After a change of stables and a change of code with smooth successes in ordinary events at Leicester and Folkestone already in the bag, Numide tackles Grade Two company in the Anglo Irish Bank Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.

“My only concern would be whether he can cope with the ground. I don’t think it’s a problem but this ground is a lot different to what he’s ever raced on before,” said Brighton-based Moore.

“It’s a big step up for him. He’s beaten nothing so far and tomorrow we’ll find out whether he’s good enough. If he wins he’ll have to go to Cheltenham.”

The son of Highest Honor faces several promising rivals headed by Nicky Henderson’s Stellino, the Paul Nicholls-trained I’msingingtheblues and Laura Mongan’s Alsadaa.

Jonjo O’Neill runs recent Doncaster third Donaldson and expects the six-year-old to improve on that performance given better ground.

He said “He ran OK at Doncaster last time and I’d say he was a good-ground horse.”