Talented juvenile boasts solid form and looks fairly priced

Defi Du Seuil (150) heads the ratings for both this race and the Supreme Novices', but the Triumph Hurdle appears the most likely target for the Philip Hobbs-trained juvenile, who is unbeaten in five starts over hurdles and already boasts a rating good enough to have won five of the last ten Triumph Hurdles.

Admittedly his jumping rather went to pieces after he had cruised past the smart Evening Hush (140) at Chepstow over Christmas, but overall he rates a solid favourite and looks fairly priced.

Charli Parcs (139) could not have been more impressive when making a winning British debut at Kempton on the same afternoon. However, like Irish based contenders Landofhopeandglory (138) and Housesofparliament (132), he is in the same ownership as the favourite and, in receipt of 8lb from his elders, he would be a big player in the Supreme Novices' if connections opt for the festival curtain-raiser.