Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 55.0s

Thebannerkingrebel⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 140| CD

1/1

Second in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree las season and taken well to hurdling, winning 3-4 starts. Impressive C&D Listed winner in November and while that form hasn't held up, has been aimed at this since. Respected.

Form: P/2-11F1

Edwardstone^h1⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 142

13/8

Placed in three bumpers but unbeaten in two starts over timber. Beat a Grade 1 winner at Wincanton in November before backing that up at Aintree (2m1f) last month. The leading contender on form.

Form: 222-11

Snookered^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 140| D

22/1

Was on a roll, winning four starts on the bounce in handicap company around northern tracks (all 2m) but bombed out at Musselburgh (2m) on latest start. Faces stiffest task to date now.

Form: 4-11119

Stolen Silver^h,t³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140| D

9/2

Progressive novice who hosed up at Ffos Las (2m, soft) two starts ago before runner-up behind smart sort at Cheltenham (2m) in December. May have more improvement on offer.

Form: 52-U12

Forecasts

Thebannerkingrebel (1/1), Edwardstone (13/8), Stolen Silver (9/2), Snookered (22/1)

A realistic chance for some to stake their claims for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, EDWARDSTONE has some of the finest novice form on offer this season. He had Tolworth hurdle winner Fiddlerontheroof well-held with his Wincanton success before dispatching a fellow Colin Tizzard classy sort next time out. He looks a graded winner in waiting and a chief British hope for Cheltenham. Thebannerkingrebel has done little wrong bar falling once, however he must give a 5lb Listed penalty to his rivals. If was to run to a place then his claims will not be hampered, while Stolen Silver was held behind a hotpot last time but may just need slightly more improvement to get close.