13:20 Cheltenham

Tuesday 16 March 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 3m 56.32s

Appreciate It³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| D

8/11

Smart in bumpers and made it 3 from 3 over hurdles in impressive style in Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. More to offer, so bold showing is again on the cards.

Form: 112-111

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Ballyadam³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148| D

6/1

Smart novice who landed Grade 1 at Fairyhouse and better form when 3¼ length second of 13 to Appreciate It in Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown last time. Enters calculations.

Form: 31-1142

Blue Lord³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145| D

11/1

Ex-French Flat winner who has improved a chunk with each of his three nuns over hurdles, 6l third to Appreciate It in Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown latest. Not ruled out.

Form: 123

For Pleasure²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 144| CD

40/1

Headstrong front runner who made it 4 wins in 5 starts in first half of season when landing Grade 2 novice over C&D in November. Well held in Betfair Hurdle only run since and has work to do here.

Form: 111410

Grumpy Charley¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 143| D

28/1

Progressive sort who posted a smart effort when completing hat-trick of 2m wins at Chepstow on handicap bow last month. Has a quirk or two but capable of better still and not to be underestimated.

Form: 9-25111

Irascible³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 143

25/1

Landed Clonmel maiden on debut and has posted two very useful efforts since, 9l fifth to Appreciate It in Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. Others appeal more though.

Form: 5/125

Metier⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 148| D

11/2

Useful on Flat in Ireland and has made a highly-promising start over hurdles, posting a smart effort when making it 3-3 with 12-length defeat of Shakem Up'arry in Grade 1 Tolworth. Leading contender.

Form: 111

Soaring Glory^p1²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 143| D

10/1

Useful bumper winner who has gone from strength to strength over hurdles and impressive scorer of Betfair Hurdle at Newbury 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces go on and not taken lightly back in novice company.

Form: 2-12F31

Forecasts

Appreciate It (8/11), Metier (11/2), Ballyadam (6/1), Soaring Glory (10/1), Blue Lord (11/1), Irascible (25/1), Grumpy Charley (28/1), For Pleasure (40/1)

A smaller Supreme field than usual but still a cracking contest to kickstart the Festival. Both METIER and Appreciate It bring unbeaten hurdling records to the table and Harry Fry's useful ex-Flat winner is taken to edge out Willie Mullins' much-vaunted novice and go 4-4 in this sphere after his emphatic Tolworth victory. Betfair Hurdle scorer Soaring Glory appeals as the pick of the remainder.