The winner of last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, Menorah went on to only narrowly fail to complete a Festival double when beaten a neck by General Miller in a memorable finish to the Grade 2 John Smith’s Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. Despite showing such high-class form there were still plenty of people sceptical that the King’s Theatre gelding would make a successful transition into the big hurdling league, but anyone who needed convincing knew for sure that here is a fine talent when Hobbs’ charge carried top weight of 11-12 against smart opposition and bravely outpointed his rivals to land the Grade 3 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November on his seasonal reappearance.
Bookmakers reacted quickly by elevating Menorah to prominence in the ante-post list for the Champion Hurdle, a position he strengthened considerably when memorably beating the smart pair of Cue Card and Silviniaco Conti back at Cheltenham in the Grade 2 International Hurdle last month and is he shaping up to be one of the hottest Cheltenham 2011 tips around.
Hobbs has always held Menorah in high regard and already speaks of him in the same terms as his 2003 Champion Hurdle winner Rooster Booster, and the decision has been taken to give owner Diana Whateley’s pride and joy a mid-season break and bring him back fresh and raring to go on decent ground at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Anyone looking for value for the Festival should remember there’s more to life than just Gold Cup betting, and Menorah is worth more than just a glance.
Testing underfoot conditions don’t ideally suit Menorah so the decision was made much easier in light of the bog-like conditions that currently prevail, and could be set to stay for some time. A best priced 9/2 shot, Menorah is currently a general second favourite for the hurdling crown behind 4/1 shot Hurricane Fly.
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