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

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 3m 47.34s

Hurricane Pat⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 136| D

7/4

Dual bumper winner last season and 2-2 over hurdles at Sandown this time round, latterly barely coming off the bridle in a listed novice on Tingle Creek day. Highly talented sort who is unlikely to give up his unbeaten hurdle record without a fight.

Form: 2131-11

Old Park Star³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142| D

4/5

Failed to win 3 bumpers for Paul Nicholls last season but has looked a top prospect when winning both hurdle starts for new yard in recent months, particularly when easing 12 lengths clear at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) latterly. Can take the step up to Graded level in his stride.

Form: 323-11

Soldier Reeves^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

12/1

Placed in point/bumper before making winning start to hurdle career in 2m Cheltenham maiden in November. Stepped up on that form but no match for the reopposing Hurricane Pat when 5½ lengths second in Sandown listed novice. 5 lb better off with that rival this time but it doesn't look enough.

Form: 2-312

Japetus²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 125| D

12/1

Dual bumper winner last season and has taken very well to hurdling with a pair of Market Rasen wins in recent months. This asks a much bigger question but he's definitely capable of better.

Form: 211-11

Tashkhan¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: B Ellison| OR: 119| C

40/1

Useful stayer on Flat at best. Made a winning start over hurdles over 2½m at Hexham in December but only third under a penalty at Kelso since and it's hard to believe this drop to around 2m will play to his strengths.

Form: 13

Wahraan^h,t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Aaron Anderson| T: J BediWS

150/1

Fairly useful but ungenuine on the Flat (stays 2¼m) and he looked a hard ride starting out in this sphere when third in 9-runner introductory event at Wetherby (2m, soft) in November, hanging/almost running out. This is a very tall order on just his second outing in this code having had a wind op.

Form: 3

Forecasts

Old Park Star (4/5), Hurricane Pat (7/4), Soldier Reeves (12/1), Japetus (12/1), Tashkhan (40/1), Wahraan (150/1)

OLD PARK STAR can provide Nicky Henderson with a fourth win in this since 2019 and cement his position towards the head of the betting for the Supreme Novice at the Cheltenham Festival. Like the selection, Hurricane Pat has created a good impression when winning both hurdle starts and looks the obvious danger.