Moloney facing Supreme test

Howard Johnson’s williamhill.com Supreme Novices’ Hurdle candidate Red Moloney has his final run before the Cheltenham Festival at Musselburgh tomorrow.

Nibbled at in the market for the first race of the week, the five-year-old was good enough to finish third to Septimus in the Irish St Leger when trained by Kevin Prendergast on the level.

Winner of both his starts over hurdles, at this venue, he is forced to carry a double penalty in the Scottish Racing Novices’ Hurdle.

He will not have it all his own way though with former John Gosden inmate Raincoat, once second to Authorized in the Dante, and four-year-old Houston Dynimo in the field.

“It will be very interesting to see how Red Moloney gets on with a double penalty,” said Johnson.

“I know he has to give a stone and a half to the four-year-old but I’ll be able to plan a bit more after this because I like this horse a lot.

“It’s a good race with Raincoat in there too but if he wins we are talking about a smart novice.

“I know he has only gone to Musselburgh but what else could I do with the weather because he wants goodish ground.

“I know I haven’t taken them down south but I haven’t been able to because of the weather and the races just didn’t fit in with my plans.

“We’ve been back in full work since Monday but with some of my nice novices there is no point in running them this year now, we’ll wait for next season.”

Red Moloney is a top-price 25-1 with Victor Chandler for the Supreme Novices’.