THE general feeling at the end of last season and during the early throes of this term was that last year’s class of novice hurdlers was an above-average class.

Now, however, half-time in the season, and the top novice hurdlers from last season have questions to answer.

Samcro was unbeaten and unbeatable last season when he stood up, but he obviously hasn’t gone forward this season as anticipated.

It’s disappointing for connections and racing fans alike, and it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. Perhaps his imminent MOT will be revelatory.

Black Op finished second to Samcro in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle and won the Mersey Hurdle at Aintree last spring, yet he has been beaten in both his novice chases this season now, most recently by seven lengths in the Dipper Chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Next Destination was third in the Ballymore Hurdle and won the Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle and the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, but it now looks like we won’t see him for a while, which is a real shame.

Summerville Boy won the Tolworth Hurdle and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last term, but he has been well beaten in both his runs this season to date.

Tom George’s horse’s form kicked into overdrive after the turn of the calendar year last season, but a setback means that he may not be afforded the opportunity to repeat that surge this term.

Kalashnikov won the Betfair Hurdle last year as a novice off a mark of 141, and he was second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Amy Murphy’s horse was impressive in winning his first two chases this season, but he was beaten by Dynamite Dollars in the Wayward Lad Chase at Kempton last week.

Similarly, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle third Mengli Khan looked very good in winning his beginners’ chase at Punchestown in November, but he could only finish fourth in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Lalor won the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree and he looked very good in winning the Arkle Trial at Cheltenham in November, but he came up short in the Henry VIII Chase at Sandown in early December the last time we saw him.

Kilbricken Storm won the Albert Bartlett Hurdle last season, but he only just got home at Ffos Las on his chasing bow in November, and he was well-beaten behind Santini in the John Francome Chase at Newbury’s Ladbrokes Trophy meeting.

Santini himself could only finish third behind La Bague Au Roi in the Kauto Star Chase at Kempton on King George day.

It’s only half-time though. Lots of game time left.