Cue Card, Dodging Bullets, Altior - who will be the next superstar novice here?

3.35 Cheltenham
Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m½f, 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Half of the last ten winners of this race have gone on to win at Grade 1 level. That fairly impressive fact undersells the race's roll of honour.

Cue Card, Dodging Bullets and Altior stand out as genuine champions to emerge from this race. Slate House and Elixir Du Nutz are the others to subsequently win at the highest level, but Colin Tizzard, who trained both of those as well as Cue Card, goes unrepresented this year.

In spite of this Grade 2's rich history, it does not take championship-level winning performances. Since Cue Card, the average winning RPR has been 141, pretty much standard for the grade. For Pleasure has already attained that level, Courtandbould and Fidelio Vallis are within touching distance.

Third Time Lucki, who looks set to be favourite, has not yet run to a figure above 130 over hurdles. Like some of the race's more famous winners, he comes with a big reputation from bumpers. He finished fourth in the Champion Bumper in March, essentially over course and distance on soft ground.

Those with greater achievements over hurdles have generally managed it in defeat. Courtandbould was well held in second to McFabulous in the Persian War, while For Pleasure (whose peak figure comes from a win at Stratford) and Fidelio Vallis were behind Mrs Hyde at Kempton. Fidelio Vallis put up a good fight on that occasion and, given both that it was his first run of the season and the winner has since beaten Verdana Blue, he can be expected to do better still. He is a strapping sort that should improve in both the short and long term.

For Pleasure tore off that day and hung badly left on the final bend at the Sunbury course. Going back left-handed should help a little, but Cheltenham's hurdles course is no place for tearaways. He is talented if Harry Bannister can keep him under control and, at the very least, his presence should ensure no dawdling.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Courtandbould
He's in good form and has been a good servant to us this year. We're unsure about the ground, he's obviously been winning throughout the summer and early autumn, but he's very straightforward and hopefully he'll turn up and run well. We're looking forward to him.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Fidelio Vallis
He's in great shape and the form of his last run at Kempton on better ground has worked out well. He's a progressive horse and this will be his last run over hurdles before we go chasing – he's only a novice until December 1. He copes with soft ground, it's an open race and I think he's got a leading chance.

Fidelio Vallis: remains a novice for the rest of this monthCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Alex Hales, trainer of For Pleasure
He obviously doesn't go right-handed and he's done all his winning left-handed, but he's in very good form. We're looking forward to him, although the ground has probably gone against him now.

Kate Harrington, assistant to Jessica Harrington, trainer of Jungle Junction
It was unfortunate that his race was over at the first at Navan last week. A horse jumped into the back of him and our lad just took a funny step before unseating Paddy Kennedy. He's entered in the Royal Bond at the end of the month, but there aren't many other options over here so hopefully this race should suit him well.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Lessankan
It's only his second run over hurdles and he's clearly up against it in a race like this.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Third Time Lucki
The race has cut up and it'll give us an idea of where we go next, but he's run well around the track in the Champion Bumper and won two novice hurdles nicely en route to this.
Reporting by Kitty Trice

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