Esprit all the rage

Quel Esprit has been the subject of a gamble that has seen him leap to the head of the betting for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Coral have reported strong support for the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old, who was denied a run in the Grade Two Slaney Hurdle on Sunday with the abandonment of the meeting at Naas.