Supreme
Annamix
Price has contracted and vibes remain positive but still not seen on the racecourse. Entries have been made so maybe he really does exist.
Mister Fisher
Beaten in a photo on debut to a horse who has gone on to be beaten in second in a handicap off 130. No entries since the loss on debut.
Eldorado Allen
Best technical hurdling display in UK and probably Ireland too. Form has been franked several times. Trainer has stated a plan and is aiming high with him.
Ballymore
Commander Of Fleet
Won as you’d expect on debut and then beaten as expected in the Royal Bond. I still feel he has potential at this trip and will perform better at this distance. He’s not set the world alight so far but I’m confident he’s better than he showed last time out.
Brewin’upastorm
His bumper form against Portrush Ted has been collaterally franked several times so he’s still full of potential. I’m concerned he has not seen the track yet but at least he’s getting entries again. I’m still really keen on him but he needs to be out before Christmas to gain the necessary experience.
My Way
At the start of the season he was on my watchlist pending further information and his confirmed entry in the Grade 2 at Sandown pushed me into making a call for this race. Has great form from France but I still have concerns that Paul Nicholls record at Cheltenham is not what is was, even more so with novice hurdlers.
Albert Bartlett
Time To Move On
Foolishly backed him when he was declared on Good to Soft ground earlier in the season but he was a NR in the end (probably due to the going). He’s got some entries now but I’d say they won’t rush him and keep him to softer ground this season. I think he’ll develop into a live RSA contender next season though.
Triumph Hurdle
Coeur Sublime
I’ll be in the minority on this but I really liked his performance at re weekend even though he went down in a photo. There is some form lines to say the English form is currently better but Coeur Sublime is still very inexperienced and will improve significantly as the season goes on. I also feel he’ll like the stiff finish at Cheltenham and can see him still being a player come March.
Adjali
Form has been franked impressively and he’s now ready to make his debut. His price will no doubt contract significantly if he wins as expected on debut.
JLT
Lostintranslation
Beaten by LBAR on debut and was in a similar position on his second start before a race ending mistake in the home straight. Apart from the one mistake he has jumped impressively in both races and I’m not giving up hope yet. He’s still very inexperienced and open to lots of improvement as the season goes on and I’ve still got some faith he can be a player in this race, especially as it will be weaker versus the RSA.
Le Richebourg
Won a couple of races early season and went down in a close finish to Delta Work at the weekend. I feel that will prove very good form at the business end of the season and he won’t have to face Delta Work again as he’ll go up in trip whereas Le Richebourg looks at his best at the JLT trip.
National Hunt Chase
Blow By Blow
Won on debut without beating much. Second on his next start and then down the field when stepped up in grade. I still feel a trip is what he needs and he’s a huge horse that will get better as the season progresses. His form was patchy last season and then he peaked in March so I’m not as concerned as some right now.
Watchlist Pending Further Information
Downtown Getaway
His form has been franked and received a positive stable tour comment that he’s ready to run. Still no entries but if he’s out before Christmas and I can get a steer on his trip (likely Ballymore or Albert Bartlett) then I’ll add him.
Vision D’honneur
I’m leaning towards the Supreme with this guy and his entries are giving me confidence that he’s ready to go and highly thought of.