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

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 4m 13.96s

Courtandbould³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 141| D

9/2

Has had a most productive summer/autumn over hurdles, landing a third race at Fontwell in September. Found only Mcfabulous too good in Persian War at Chepstow last time and sets the standard on that.

Form: 311212

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Fidelio Vallis²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

9/2

Ex-French recruit who ended last season on the up, winning a brace of 2m novices in good style. Creditable second to a subsequent winner in Kempton listed event on return and must be respected.

Form: 2/7F11-2

For Pleasure²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 144| BF| D

14/1

Headstrong front runner who completed a hat-trick over hurdles in a novice at Stratford (16.3f) in September. However, proved unrideable at Kempton last time, pulling hard and hanging badly left.

Form: 3-31114

Jungle Junction⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 133| D

6/1

Placed in bumpers and confirmed the promise of his hurdle debut when winning 2m maiden at Navan in February. Hampered and unseated at the first at same course on last week's reappearance.

Form: 22214-U

Lessankan²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

150/1

Unplaced in an Irish point and badly needed the experience when well held in a C&D maiden hurdle on debut 23 days ago.

Form: 7-4

Third Time Lucki¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| D

1/1

Smart and progressive bumper performer who made it 2 from 2 over hurdles in a slowly-run Wetherby novice (2m) 16 days ago. Clearly a smart novice in the making.

Form: 3114-11

Forecasts

Third Time Lucki (1/1), Fidelio Vallis (9/2), Courtandbould (9/2), Jungle Junction (6/1), For Pleasure (14/1), Lessankan (150/1)

A farcically slow early pace masked THIRD TIME LUCKI's superiority at Wetherby, and he's the one in this line-up most likely to develop into a Supreme candidate, so receives the vote. Courtandbould ran a cracker when behind Mcfabulous in the Persian War and will prove no pushover.