13:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 14 March 2023

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 3m 59.69s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Chasing Fire³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 136| D

40/1

£170,000 buy after point win who looked a potential star when landing his sole bumper last term and has done nothing to alter that view since sent hurdling, making it 3 from 3 in 6-runner event at Sandown (2m) 38 days ago, leading 2 out and soon in command. Well worth his place at this level.

Form: 11-111

Dark Raven³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145| D

11/1

Won both starts in bumpers in 2020/21 and belied a lengthy absence in the manner of a potentially smart novice on his Leopardstown hurdling debut (2m). Far from disgraced when third in Grade 1 won by Il Etait Temps there since, and he's likely to progress further if brushing up on his jumping.

Form: 11/13

Diverge^t1⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

25/1

Fairly useful performer on the level in France who left his hurdling debut form well behind when running out an emphatic winner of a 22-runner Punchestown maiden (2m, heavy) 43 days ago. This will be whole different ball game, but he's clearly promising and open to further progress. Tongue strap on.

Form: 61

Doctor Bravo²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| D

25/1

Quickened up well to win his sole bumper and impressed with his attitude when making his second hurdle start a winning one at Down Royal (17f) in January. Far from disgraced for one so inexperienced in Grade 3 at Gowran (2m) subsequently and open to further improvement.

Form: 1213

Facile Vega³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| BF| CD

9/4

Won all 4 starts in bumpers last season, including Champion Bumper, and looked just as special over hurdles when ready winner of Future Champions Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. Lost his unbeaten record in tame fashion back there last time but can prove that running all wrong.

Form: 1-1115

Fennor Cross¹²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S D Torrens| T: J C McConnell| OR: 134| CD

80/1

Fairly useful handicapper on the Flat who built on the promise of his hurdling debut when landing a C&D maiden in October. Progressed again when following up in Grade 2 back here 3 weeks later but this demands plenty more.

Form: 311

High Definition³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| D

18/1

Very smart up to 1½m on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien and overcame some novicey mistakes to hold off a listed bumper winner and one with a big reputation on his Leopardstown hurdling debut on Boxing Day. Upped in grade and let down by his jumping there last month but remains capable of better.

Form: 1U

Il Etait Temps^h³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| D

4/1

Much improved since fitted with a hood, building on his Tramore maiden win returned to Grade 1 company when second to Facile Vega at Leopardstown over Christmas. Capitalised on that rival underperforming when resuming winning ways there in February, but did it well and can't be taken lightly.

Form: 35-4121

Inthepocket³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 145| D

9/1

Cost £290,000 after winning his sole point and impressive when landing 2m Wexford maiden hurdle in October. Maintained unbeaten record stepped up in trip/grade at Navan (2½m) and far from disgraced behind Il Etait Temps in Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m) last time. Not without each-way hope.

Form: 1-112

Marine Nationale¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: B Connell| OR: 150| D

9/2

Highly promising sort who landed a brace of bumpers in stylish fashion and maintained his unbeaten record with a smart performance on just his second hurdling start in Royal Bond at Fairyhouse (2m) last time, doing especially well having conceded first run. Exciting prospect.

Form: 1111

Palace Boy³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125| D

200/1

Flat winner in Germany and made a successful start in this sphere following a lengthy absence in a 2m Chepstow novice in October. Built on that at the second attempt when 11 lengths second of 6 to the highly promising Luccia (favourite for Dawn Run) at Exeter but has his work cut out at this level.

Form: 162

Rare Edition³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 138| BF| D

33/1

Successful on his only outing in bumpers and again looked a good prospect in winning his first 3 starts over hurdles, particularly when seeing off a subsequent Grade 2 winner at Kempton (2m) on Boxing Day. Disappointed stepped up in grade at Huntingdon since but was said to have scoped dirty.

Form: 21-1112

Strong Leader⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 133| D

25/1

Looked highly promising in bumpers and impressively made it 3-3 in this sphere in a 2m Southwell novice 44 days ago, quickening clear under hands and heels from home turn. Has more on his plate in this higher grade, but he's created a fine impression so far and shouldn't be overlooked.

Form: 12111

Tahmuras⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| D

11/1

Successful pointer who hasn't looked back since finding only one too good on his Rules bow, winning a Wincanton bumper and all 3 hurdle starts to date, including the Grade 1 Tolworth last time, despite still showing signs of inexperience. That form is proving strong, and he's open to more progress.

Form: 121-111

Forecasts

Facile Vega (9/4), Il Etait Temps (4/1), Marine Nationale (9/2), Inthepocket (9/1), Dark Raven (11/1), Tahmuras (11/1), High Definition (18/1), Diverge (25/1), Doctor Bravo (25/1), Strong Leader (25/1), Rare Edition (33/1), Chasing Fire (40/1), Fennor Cross (80/1), Palace Boy (200/1)

MARINE NATIONALE made it 4 from 4 with more to spare than the winning margin implies in the Royal Bond having conceded first run and, although that form is perhaps not quite as strong as some of the other principals, he has the hallmarks of a potential star and is taken to confirm that view. Facile Vega surrendered his unbeaten record in tame fashion last time but will be a big threat if proving that running all wrong. Diverge is interesting up in grade, with Il Etait Temps also respected.