Grade Two Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle Guide 2022

Louis Moir | @LouisMoir99

Cheltenham - November 13 2022
Cheltenham 15:30
2
Jonathan Burke

Desert Friend

J: Jonathan Burke
T: Denis Gerard Hogan
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-2
OR: 124
Days: 23

The outsider of the nine runner field and one who is impossible to fancy. Showed similar signs to his fairly useful Flat form when landing a Listowel maiden in June.

This is by far his toughest assignment yet, but others make great appeal here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
20/10/23DUN10.5St9-69
30/08/23BEL20.5Gd11-9PU
10/08/23SLI18Y11-95
11/07/23TRM12Y10-23
04/07/23TIP19.5Gd/Y11-9PU
Cheltenham - November 13 2022
Cheltenham 15:30
4
Harry Skelton

Father Of Jazz

J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A

Father Of Jazz is a very intriguing runner for the Skelton yard. This 5 year old son of Kingman was useful on the Flat and is bred to stay, but failed to kick on from an encouraging reappearance at Kempton in March.

Has since left the Roger Varian yard and it is interesting to see he has been pitched straight into Grade 2 company for his hurdling debut.

One to keep an eye on and one to be excited about for the upcoming National Hunt season. Has to be respected.

Cheltenham - November 13 2022
Cheltenham 15:30
3
Brian Hughes

Fascinating Shadow

J: Brian Hughes
T: John Joseph Hanlon
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 190

This 4 year old was a progressive middle-distance handicapper on the Flat who battled well to make a successful hurdling debut at Cork back in May.

He steps up massively in Class, but may have the potential to show more improvement. Has to also come on a lot from his last performance which was ran over 1m4f at Dundalk on the Flat.

Not ruled out with Champion Jockey Brian Hughes booked to ride.

Cheltenham - November 13 2022
Cheltenham 15:30
5
Simon Torrens

Fennor Cross

J: Simon Torrens
T: John C McConnell
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: 125
Days: 23

A fairly useful handicapper on the Flat who made an encouraging debut in this sphere when third at Galway in September. He managed to build on that promising debut when landing a maiden hurdle over course and distance last month.

There is nothing to suggest that he will stop progressing so has all the potential to step up here and take this race into his own hands.

One to take note of from the John McConnell stable.

Cheltenham - November 13 2022
Cheltenham 15:30
8
Sean Bowen

Ukantango

J: Sean Bowen
T: Olly Murphy
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 16

He made it 3-3 defying a penalty when winning over 2m at Wetherby in October. Previously, he placed in Irish points and was strong at the finish when winning a Stratford bumper in March. He also landed the odds with ease in a novice hurdle at Aintree in May.

Will need to show a lot more to remain unbeaten under Rules, but that aim is certainly not ruled out and is possible for a horse who may just be capable of even better.

One to be interested in at a bigger price.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/11/23AIN16Sft11-89
14/04/23AIN16.5Sft11-411
25/02/23KEM16Gd11-53
07/01/23SAN16Sft11-8PU
13/11/22CHL16.5Gd11-22
Cheltenham - November 13 2022
Cheltenham 15:30
7
Jonjo O'Neill Jr

Springwell Bay

J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
T: Jonjo O'Neill
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 31

This 5 year old son of Kayf Tara was a runner-up in a hotly contested bumper at Punchestown then, having been sold from Margaret Mullins for €155,000, bolted up on debut for his new yard at Market Rasen.

He won that by 14 lengths making light work of his rivals. Next up was for him to be sent hurdling and he won at Carlisle as an odds on favourite beating Iorens by 3 ¼ lengths.

He rates a big danger to all here as he is sure to improve yet again in this level of company.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/04/23AIN20GS11-76
21/03/23WET19.5Sft12-01
18/02/23ASC19.5Gd11-71
13/11/22CHL16.5Gd11-23
13/10/22CRL17GS11-01
Cheltenham - November 13 2022
Cheltenham 15:30
9
Robbie Geoghegan

She Is Electric

J: Robbie Geoghegan
T: Norman Lee
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-0
OR: 129
Days: 44

The only mare in the race and one who is looking to make it 3-3 after previously winning on her last two starts at Ballinrobe and Gowran Park.She definitely progressed nicely as that second victory came in Listed company.

She may just find this too much of a challenge stepping up to Grade 2 company so it is hard to tell whether she will be good enough.

Watch out for any market support near the off that may enhance her credentials.

Cheltenham - November 13 2022
Cheltenham 15:30
1
Sam Twiston-Davies

Deere Mark

J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Sam Thomas
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 23

Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies won this race last year aboard I Like To Move It so he will be looking to make another success of this race for the second consecutive year.

Deere Mark showed improved form to get off the mark at the fourth attempt in bumpers at Hereford in March.

He then showed plenty to work on when being switched to hurdling and he found himself a runner-up to a rival he faces again here in Fennor Cross over course and distance last month.

He was unlucky in losing a shoe so that would not have helped matters and you would think he will improve if all goes well this time round.

One at a bigger price not to totally ignore.

Cheltenham - November 13 2022
Cheltenham 15:30
6
Aidan Coleman

Iberico Lord

J: Aidan Coleman
T: Nicky Henderson
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 171

Iberico Lord has the potential to be a top horse for Nicky Henderson and could well follow many who have worn the famous J P McManus colours to success.

His only outing came for Mlle D. Mele in a 10-runner bumper at Le Lion-d'Angers on good to soft ground back in May.

He was then picked up by leading connections so he is certainly one to watch over hurdles for this upcoming campaign.

Bags of potential and a whole lot of excitement that could come, rates a major player.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/04/23SAN16Sft11-52
01/04/23STR16.5Hy11-01
26/12/22KEM16Sft11-2F
13/11/22CHL16.5Gd11-26
26/05/22LEL15Sft9-111