2023 Supreme Novices Hurdle

[Benjy23]

Marine going to become the value bet!

[Kevloaf]

As predicted IET is being smashed up. If MN hit 6/1 or more I might go in as a saver. That would feel dirty.

Exactly what I'm waiting for.... entirely predictable given his prep ....

I think 6/1 is happening, maybe 7 or 8.

Could be 7/2 the field ... tey're still at 109% overround, so another few % to come back to us.

[Exar Essay]

Exactly what I'm waiting for.... entirely predictable given his prep ....

I think 6/1 is happening, maybe 7 or 8.

Could be 7/2 the field ... tey're still at 109% overround, so another few % to come back to us.

I genuinely think if the rain carries on, MN could be longer than Tahmuras. Barry Connell talks a great game, but a huge part of that game has been the improvement you'll see for good ground. If it doesn't come, he'll lose his audience.

[Kevloaf]

Fennor Cross 100/1

[Dilinja]

Money for strong leader backed from 50s into 25s. Ties in with the encanto Bruno bumper form. Have had a go at the double

[That Horse]

Fennor Cross 100/1

Backed it when I saw the drift, clearly I'm getting the yips so close to kick off

[Kevloaf]

1. Diverge
2. Chasing Fire
3. Doctor Bravo

Big Hugh Taylor steaming in

https://cheltenham.attheraces.com/blogs-and-tips/hugh-taylor

That’s not to say that some value can’t be found, and I think the apparent Mullins third string DIVERGE might be overpriced in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1.30).

He’s had only two runs over hurdles so far, and I’d tend to overlook his first start, where he was a bit keen in the early stages and probably needed the run following an absence of 484 days.

His second start came in a modest maiden hurdle at Punchestown against weak opposition, but he settled a bit better on this occasion and was wisely allowed to stride on from the fourth flight.

The manner in which he eased clear in the straight whilst just being nudged along was impressive, but more pertinently, there was substance provided by the clock. I made his time around eight and a half seconds faster than that recorded in the four-year-old handicap hurdle that followed, the margins between the two respective races increasing incrementally from flight to flight.

The runner-up in that handicap hurdle races off a mark of 120 in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle later on the card and given Diverge completed the course in a time around nine seconds (or 36 lengths) faster in races run at similar tempos whilst carrying 7lb more, it’s not hard to take a high view of his winning effort, even after taking into account weight for age.

Not only was that just his second start over hurdles, but he was never asked a serious question and there might be more to come from him.

It’s not hard to see why his stablemates are much shorter prices, given they are each Grade 1 winners whereas he has only won a maiden hurdle, but the limit of Diverge’s ability is hard to assess, more rain clearly won’t be an issue, given the ground was very testing at Punchestown, and further improvement might see him a danger to all.

[Dilinja]

Backed it when I saw the drift, clearly I'm getting the yips so close to kick off

imagine the scenes as torrens passes the field and steams up the hill . Back from la la land if he can nick a place I will be over the moon

[Nwfb89]

When wp mullins has won this in the past has it always been the main hope or has a 2nd or 3rd string won it?

[Hurricane fly]

When wp mullins has won this in the past has it always been the main hope or has a 2nd or 3rd string won it?

It's always been his first string while I've been watching

[Birds Nest]

It's always been his first string while I've been watching

Maybe Ruby had a little to do with that..

[Benjy23]

Facile Vega strong now. 3/1 seems a long way away!

[Hurricane fly]

Inthepocket is the real mover of the day into 8/1

[darlojim]

Facile Vega hammered up now, more likely to go off 6/4 than 3/1.

Paddy when asked if Facile Vega was back...

'He's back.. Believe it!'

[MTR]

Mikey big stones