Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Favourite

Appreciate It has won two Grade 1 novice hurdles in great style, defeating another Grade 1 winner in Ballyadam on both occasions. He wasn’t even at his best last time out and he is already proven around Cheltenham. Trying to find one to beat him is probably madness. There’s every chance Appreciate It will be the first of many Willie Mullins-trained hotpots to win at the 2021 Festival.

Main opposition

A winner on the flat when trained by Andy Slattery, Metier looks the best of the British two-mile novices. He was unextended in three wins from three starts over flights, though he has arguably yet to face a serious rival. The value of the form of his Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle win is seriously questionable.

Ballyadam is probably a good each-way bet, despite him being unable to lay a glove on Appreciate It. Good ground could bring about significant improvement in this son of Fame And Glory.

Keskonrisk was a place ahead of Ballyadam at Christmas and has long appealed as the type to come into his own in a top-class race run at a strong pace.

Outsiders to note

Donald McCain won the Supreme in 2012 with Cinders And Ashes, and he has another exciting young hurdler in Bareback Jack. This winning pointer is a particularly good jumper who did not get the credit he deserved for winning the Scottish Supreme at Musselburgh.

Dreal Deal will have his supporters following his impressive Grade 2 win at Punchestown in January, but did that race fall in his lap? He might struggle to go the pace in the early stages but will be a threat if he is still in touch turning for home.

Thedevilscoachman (18/1) is the sole remaining J.P. McManus-owned entry. Another who has already been put in his place by the favourite, Noel Meade’s charge has impressed in lesser company .

Verdict

Think of all those Willie Mullins accumulators – Appreciate It is the first leg, followed by Concertista, Monkfish and Chacun Pour Soi. You can add in Kilrcuit, Elimay and Al Boum Photo if you are feeling lucky, maybe even Billaway. Of all of these ante-post favourites, none hold stronger claims than Appreciate It. There is no hype factor here – he has proven himself and there doesn’t look to be anything to touch him.

It’s strange to see Nicky Henderson without a leading contender. He has had 10 horses in the frame since 2011. (MC)