15:30 Cheltenham

Sunday 13 November 2022

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

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

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 4m 0.04s

Deere Mark²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| D

16/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark at the fourth attempt in bumpers at Hereford (16.2f) in March and showed plenty to work on switched to hurdling when runner-up to Fennor Cross over C&D last month (also lost a shoe). Should improve.

Form: 2931-2

Desert Friend^t1²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: D Hogan| OR: 124| D

50/1

Showed more like his fairly useful Flat form to land a Listowel maiden in June. Holding his form well in this sphere subsequently, but this is by far his toughest assignment yet. Tongue tie applied but others make more appeal.

Form: 58-1335

Fascinating Shadow¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: J J Hanlon| D

22/1

Progressive middle-distance handicapper on the Flat who battled well to make a successful hurdling debut at Cork back in May. This obviously much tougher but he's open to progress over timber and should come on from a spin on the level at Dundalk last month.

Form: 1

Fennor Cross²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Simon Torrens| T: J C McConnell| OR: 125| CD

3/1

Fairly useful handicapper on the Flat (stays 13f) who made an encouraging debut in this sphere when third at Galway in September. Built on that promise when landing maiden hurdle over C&D last month (by 6½ lengths from Deere Mark) and no reason why he won't progress again.

Form: 31

Iberico Lord¹⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson

7/2

Successful on sole outing for Mlle D. Mele in 10-runner bumper at Le Lion-d'Angers (14.9f, good to soft, 31/10) back in May. Picked up by leading connections subsequently so he's an exciting recruit to hurdling.

Form: 1

Springwell Bay³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

2/1

Runner-up in a hot bumper at Punchestown then, having been sold from Margaret Mullins for €155,000, bolted up on debut for new yard at Market Rasen. Made short work of his rivals sent hurdling after an 11-month absence at Carlisle last month and looks sure to step up considerably.

Form: 2/1-1

Ukantango¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| D

12/1

Placed in Irish points and strong at the finish when winning Stratford bumper in March. Landed the odds with the minimum of fuss in a novice hurdle at Aintree in May and defied a penalty 6 months later at Wetherby recently. More needed to remain unbeaten under Rules but that's possible.

Form: 5/31-11

She Is Electric^h⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R P Geoghegan| T: N Lee| OR: 129| D

13/2

Well ridden when making all at Ballinrobe last month and advanced her form when supplementing that in listed company at Gowran. That is just about the best form on offer but now has to dominate better opposition on her first outing on these shores.

Form: 46-4211

Non-Runners

Father Of Jazz¹⁷⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Springwell Bay (2/1), Fennor Cross (3/1), Iberico Lord (7/2), She Is Electric (13/2), Father Of Jazz (7/1), Ukantango (12/1), Deere Mark (16/1), Fascinating Shadow (22/1), Desert Friend (50/1)

A fascinating renewal of this Grade 2 with several exciting prospects on show, none more so than SPRINGWELL BAY. Jonjo O'Neill's charge made short work of his rivals sent hurdling after an 11-month absence at Carlisle last month and it would be no surprise to see him step up considerably on that effort today. Iberico Lord was picked up by top connections after winning a French bumper so he has to be respected, with recent C&D winner Fennor Cross and She Is Electric also fancied to feature.