13:55 Ascot

Friday 21 December 2018

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

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

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 3m 52.80s

Angels Breath²⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

6/4

Irish import who was an easy 12L winner of a point-to-point in April. First run for a stable which is strong in this department and it is significant he makes his hurdling bow in a Grade 2 contest.

Form: 1-

Champagne Court²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| D

6/1

Successful hurdling debut when scoring at Lingfield last month. Needs to step up on the bare form of that run, but every chance he will.

Form: P22-41

Danny Kirwan²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| BF| D

6/1

Justified a big reputation when landing a Kempton bumper in February, but was beaten in a two-runner contest when odds-on for his hurdling debut at the same venue. Much more needed, but has huge potential.

Form: 110-2

Eclair D'Ainay²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

20/1

French acquisition who was fourth of 12 on debut for this stable at Newbury, Improvement on the cards, but this is a stronger race.

Form: 2-4

Encore Champs²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| D

16/1

Bumper winner who looked fortunate to score on hurdling debut at Wetherby when the leader unseated his rider at the last. Promising, but needs more.

Form: 211

Garbanzo⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland

33/1

Progressive three-times winner on the Flat for Ed Walker. Stays well and looks an interesting recruit for respected stable. Worth a market check on jumping debut.

Form:

Seddon³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 132| BF| D

11/4

Odds-on favourite when making a winning hurdling debut at Stratford, but could not back that up when only third of five to a subsequent winner at Cheltenham. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 10-13

Sunday At Augusta²⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: A Glassonbury| T: R Rowe

100/1

Promise when second in an Irish bumper and now makes his hurdling/stable bow. Will need to be smart if he is to win in this company.

Form: F2-

Thistle Do Nicely⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 134| D

14/1

Winner of both his starts over hurdles, latterly when scoring in decisive fashion at Wetherby. Much more to do upped in class, but worthy of respect.

Form: 18-11

Non-Runners

Thomas Darby²⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: O Murphy J: R Johnson

Forecasts

Angels Breath (6/4), Thomas Darby (2/1), Seddon (11/4), Danny Kirwan (6/1), Champagne Court (6/1), Thistle Do Nicely (14/1), Encore Champs (16/1), Eclair D'Ainay (20/1), Garbanzo (33/1), Sunday At Augusta (100/1)

Angels Breath represents last year's winning stable and is clearly held in some regard after bolting up in an Irish point-to-point in the spring, He could well be capable of making a winning hurdling debut, but this is a tough enough starter for him and in THOMAS DARBY he meets a solid yardstick who looks likely to carry on his progression. Danny Kirwan has a big reputation, but needs to step up on his debut display over timber, while others to consider are Champagne Court, Encore Champs, Thistle Do Nicely, Seddon and useful Flat performer Garbanzo.