Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices' Hurdle)

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 3m 51.8s

Itchy Feet²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: O Murphy| OR: 140| D

11/4

Has won all three starts since bumper debut, and maintained unbeaten hurdles record when dictating terms at Kempton last time. Looks a smart prospect, and respected despite conceding weight all round.

Form: 2-111

Anytime Will Do¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| D

9/2

Won only start in bumpers, and has maintained winning run with easy wins over timber at Uttoxeter and Bangor. Steps up in class now, but every chance he will progress further.

Form: F1-11

Colonel Custard³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin

8/1

Has won both starts in this sphere at Newton Abbot with something to spare. Facing an altogether stiffer test at this level, and needs to settle better than he did last time, but folly to dismiss.

Form: 3-11

Elixir De Nutz²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130

6/1

Pulled hard when disappointing twice for Philip Hobbs last season, but helped by making the running when a good second on debut for current yard over C&D last month. Going the right way, but more required now.

Form: 16-F2

Seddon¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| D

7/4

Sole defeat to date came in Champion Bumper here in March, and impressed with ease with which he beat Not That Fuisse at Stratford on hurdles bow at Stratford. Looks sure to go on to better things.

Form: 10-1

Two For Gold²⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| D

16/1

Has won twice from three starts in bumpers, but faces no easy task making hurdles bow at this level, and needs to do everything right to get competitive.

Form: 161-

Forecasts

Seddon (7/4), Itchy Feet (11/4), Anytime Will Do (9/2), Elixir De Nutz (6/1), Colonel Custard (8/1), Two For Gold (16/1)

One or two bubbles stand to be burst here, with four unbeaten hurdlers clashing, but SEDDON looks the one to beat in receipt of weight from Itchy Feet, and he showed a smart turn of foot to win at Stratford. Anytime Will Do isn't easily ruled out, either.