Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Acts on any ground; prolific in French bumpers, bagging Grade 3 honours the final time; has started favourite in two maiden hurdles since joining Willie Mullins and made all for an emphatic success at Punchestown (2m) latest, building on his Leopardstown effort and taking overall record to 6-8; brings good qualities, being a very productive sort who keeps progressing.

Has built up a solid record (131211) for current yard and justified favouritism at Kempton (2m, good; third attempt over hurdles) most recently; acts on soft; ties in with Sober Glory and El Cairos on useful bumper form, although he looked rather fortunate to beat the latter (who might have won but for proving wayward) at Punchestown; his bare figures in this sphere fall short of Supreme standard but improvement remains possible.

Evidently well suited by being able to dominate as he's 2-2 under front-running tactics (0-3 otherwise); trounced his rivals in Thurles handicap (2m, yielding) most recently, proving well ahead of a mark of 124; should have more to offer in the right circumstances and grade but this scenario fails on both counts; faces a stiff task on the figures and competition for the lead.

Appears to act on any ground; good fifth in the Champion Bumper at this meeting last year then might have won at Punchestown but for hanging badly left; sold for £410,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal in October; clumsy at the final flight in both attempts over hurdles, causing him to stumble and fall when looking the likely winner at Leopardstown but getting away with it and comfortably beating his rivals at Thurles (2m); not without his flaws but has a big engine and brings serious potential to this return to Cheltenham.

Proved useful in bumpers but is held by a couple of today's rivals on Punchestown festival running; form over hurdles (kept to 2m) features a narrow success in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse and respectable fourth in steadily run Grade 1 at Leopardstown, sandwiching a Christmas flop that is best forgiven (bled from nose); however, may lack the class needed for this assignment.