Grade One Supreme Novices' Hurdle Guide 2023

Very useful horse on the flat up until Christmas 2022, where he made hurdling bow at Leopardstown, beating Jetara by four lengths when priced at 9/2.

He followed that by unseating James Slevin at Leopardstown last month, where Il Etait Temps took the Grade One Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle crown.

He remains capable of better after jumping poorly last month but it is difficult to weigh up his chances against some top runners here.

Six-year-old gelding who won on the flat in Germany before hurdling debut at Chepstow in October last year, beating Beau Balko by a neck.

Followed that with a disappointing sixth at Newbury over 2m in December before finishing second to the highly promising Luccia in a class one outing at Exter last month.

Promising start to life over hurdles but is a 150/1 long-shot in this contest and may have his work cut out at this level.

Useful runner on the flat before hurdling debut at Galway in September last year, finishing third of 19. Followed that with a class three maiden hurdle success at Cheltenham in October of the same year before another victory in the Supreme trial in November, beating Ukantango by three lengths.

That was a good performance but needs to find much more here upped in grade again against top runners.

Winner of two bumpers in 2021 at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse before winning at the former on hurdling debut in December last year, beating Doctor Bravo by three lengths.

Not disgraced when finishing a good third in grade one contest at the DRF last month, behind fellow runners Inthepocket and Il Etait Temps.

Warrants respect after that run and looks likely to improve further for Willie Mullins with Daryl Jacob on board here.

Useful horse on the flat in France before hurdling bow at Leopardstown in December, finishing sixth of 27 in the contest that fellow runner High Definition won.

Followed that by winning a 2m maiden hurdle at Punchestown in late January at 10/11 favourite, impressively beating Mon Coeur by 23 lengths with Paul Townend on board.

Patrick Mullins takes the reins here on a horse that is clearly open to further improvement and can take the grade increase on board.

Six-year-old for Paul Nicholls who arrives here in top shape, winning the Grade One Tolworth last time out at Sandown back in January, beating L’astroboy by two lengths. Is unbeaten over hurdles with two further victories at Haydock and Chepstow and looks like a progressive type for Nicholls.

Harry Cobden is booked to ride the gelding, who goes off 142 for this contest, looking to spring a surprise against the market leaders. This is tougher than what he has experienced before but is open to improvement.

Unbeaten hurdler for Olly Murphy, recording wins at Market Rasen (twice) and Sandown before heading for the Supreme here.

Those wins have come at class three and four level but he ran on comfortably last time out at Sandown, beating the Paul Nicholls trained Iliko D’olivate by six lengths.

He has shown promise and ability on his way to being 3/3 over hurdles and can step up into graded company here on the back of those successes in a harder race but may just prove he belongs in this company.

Arrives here in decent form, following a sole bumper win at Southwell before winning his first four starts over hurdles at Worcester, Doncaster and Kempton at class two, three and four level.

Has progressed through company, stepping up to class one last time out at Huntingdon, finishing second behind Marble Sands when priced at 4/5 favourite.

Looks a good prospect for Charlie Longsdon and another runner who is open to improvement. Sam Twiston-Davies does the steering for the current 25/1 shot.

Six-year-old winner of maiden hurdle over 2m at Wexford in October last year, beating Transmission by six lengths before winning at Naas in December at grade two level, beating Three Card Brag by a neck.

Followed that with another good showing at the DRF in the Grade One Tattersalls, finishing second, nine lengths behind Il Etait Temps. Could be a good each-way play in this contest if continuing promise and at 20/1, looks good value.

Six-year-old who won all four bumper runs last season, including here at Cheltenham before a 14-length success on hurdling debut at Fairyhouse in December.

Made it 2/2 over hurdles in a grade one at Leopardstown over Christmas before a shocking defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival last month, where he weakened rapidly before the last after travelling keenly.

If he returns to his best here, it is hard to see him being beaten but that shock defeat last month will create some scepticism going into this one.

He’s still currently the market favourite and will take some beating.

Five-year-old gelding for Willie Mullins who triumphed in the race that Facile Vega faded in at the DRF last month, beating Inthepocket by nine lengths.

Was runner up to his stablemate at Leopardstown in December after landing maiden hurdle contest at Thurles a month prior.

He’s much improved over his last few runs and that win at the DRF shouldn’t be taken lightly in grade one company and could be in with a shout again here, especially if Facile Vega isn’t at his best.

Won a class five bumper on debut before finishing second in class two bumper at Cheltenham in October and has continued that promise over hurdles, winning all three starts over obstacles at Uttoxeter (C4), Aintree (C3) and Southwell (C4).

Coasted home by 15 lengths last time out and has impressed so far. Stepping up in grade here however but shouldn’t be discredited given the form he is in at the moment for Olly Murphy.

Exciting prospect for Barry Connell who is currently unbeaten after winning two bumpers and his first two starts over hurdles.

Most recently triumphed in the Grade One Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in December, beating Irish Point by a head after winning a maiden hurdle at Punchestown in October.

Many are tipping him for victory here and you can see why, with his impressive start to life over hurdles and he can give Facile Vega a good race here, you would predict.

Arrives here on the back of a third-place finish in the Grade Three Red Mills Trial Hurdle over 2m at Gowran Park last month, finishing behind Sharjah and winner Fil Dor. That followed a maiden hurdle success at Down Royal in January, beating 10/11 fav The Big Doyen by just under three lengths.

Is an inexperienced runner without any runs here but has dealt with that inexperience well so far and is open to more improvement for the Davy Russell/Gordon Elliott duo.