Sky Bet Supreme Scottish Trial Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 3m 34.9s

Peter The Mayo Man⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 142

10/11

Ex Irish (Sabrina Harty) who bombed out at Bangor in March 2016 following a pleasing UK debut a month earlier at Doncaster. However, his progress has been relentless this campaign, and he is unbeaten in three starts at Worcester, Warwick and Newbury. This is very much his toughest test under the penalties, but he should be fresh and has earned a rating of 142.

Form: 4-11123

High Secret⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls

13/2

His trainer said that this has been his toughest test in teaching an ex-Flat racer to hurdle after his recent emphatic 2m novices (Good) debut success at Taunton. Whilst this is a much stronger contest, his ability is clear, having competed off marks in the 90's on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott. There looks plenty more to come over hurdles for this 65,000 Guineas purchase.

Form: 1314-

Lough Derg Spirit⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

7/4

Ex Irish winning point-to-pointer who cost his new connections a cool £190,000 at the Cheltenham May 2016 sales. Jumped with aplomb when making a winning hurdles debut at Kempton (2m novices) in November, so arguably a shade disappointing he could only finish fourth to Capitaine in the Grade 2 Kennel Gate at Ascot the following month. Will not be troubled at all by further rain and remains an exciting prospect despite that Ascot defeat.

Form: 3-114

Optima Petamus³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: J Kington| T: P Holmes

250/1

Finished a well held third on his hurdles debut over C&D early last month in a moderate maiden hurdle, and much like his stablemate in the opener, this frequent AW racer comes here on the hunt for minor placed prize money only.

Form: 3

Stipulate^h³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison

33/1

Talented Flat racer who has in truth looked fairly moderate on two previous visits to this track over hurdles, being a beaten favourite on both occasions. He was let down by his jumping last time, and this is a much stronger contest, so he'll be seeking a confidence booster at best in reality.

Form: /

Non-Runners

London Prize¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: W T Kennedy

Forecasts

Peter The Mayo Man (10/11), Lough Derg Spirit (7/4), High Secret (13/2), London Prize (8/1), Stipulate (33/1), Optima Petamus (250/1)

A decent contest in which the top rated (142) Peter The Mayo Man sets a solid benchmark for the others to aim at. In terms of raw potential, Lough Derg Spirit was probably a shade disappointing last time at Ascot having seemingly relished these smaller obstacles on his hurdling debut at Kempton in November, but it remains early days to be dismissive. However, the vote goes to HIGH SECRET who made rapid progress on the Flat from a low base for Sir Mark Prescott, and there must be every chance that Paul Nicholls can repeat this feat over hurdles on the back of his most pleasing debut at Taunton recently. Whilst he has plenty to find with these rivals on the bare bones of that form, he promises to be even better with further experience over hurdles. 1. High Secret 2. Lough Derg Spirit 3. Peter The Mayo Man