2011 Supreme Novices Hurdle Form

Race OverviewA number of virtual unknown quantities, notably the Nicky Henderson-trained trio, prevent CUE CARD from being rated banker material but he is very well suited by the course, was out of the top drawer in bumpers and the form which saw him finish second to Menorah here in December would have been good enough to win most of the recent runnings of this race. Spirit Son is the choice of Barry Geraghty and can prove the pick of the Henderson runners, with Dunraven Storm possibly the best outsider.[Frank Carter]

Odds provided by Paddypower

No.		Runner	Details	Rating
1		Al Ferof (FR) R Walsh P Nicholls	6 yrs / 161 lbs 2-F311	142

CommentAl Ferof

Held by Cue Card on bumper form and needs to up game over hurdles

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
12/02/11	NBY 16GSCl3 NvHd,5K	162 lbs	Harry Skelton	1/7 15l, Oasis Knight[1/4F]11-2
20/01/11	TAU 19GS 4-7yCl4 NvHd,3K	159 lbs	Harry Skelton	1/12 20l, His Lordship[1/7F]11-5
29/12/10	NBY 21GSCl1 NvG1Hd,20K	161 lbs	Harry Skelton	3/8 9 3/4l, Backspin[5/2]11-7
10/12/10	CHL 17Gd 4-6yCl3 NvHd,6K	152 lbs	Noel Fehily	F/16Prince Of Pirates[4/7F]10-12
17/03/10	CHL 16Gd 4-6yCl1 G1NHF,34K	159 lbs	R Walsh	2/24 8l, Cue Card[8/1]10-12

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2

Cue Card J Tizzard C Tizzard

5 yrs / 161 lbs 11-112

159

CommentCue Card

Festival bumper winner last year; sets high standard on form

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
11/12/10	CHL 17GSCl1 G2Hd,86K	158 lbs	Joe Tizzard	2/9 4 1/2l, Menorah[15/8]11-4
12/11/10	CHL 16GdCl1 NvG2Hd,14K	161 lbs	Joe Tizzard	1/7 8l, Dunraven Storm[8/13F]11-7
24/10/10	Ain 20GS 4-6yCl3 NvHd,5K	152 lbs	Joe Tizzard	1/8 13l, Dear Sam[1/2F]10-12
17/03/10	CHL 16Gd 4-6yCl1 G1NHF,34K	152 lbs	Joe Tizzard	1/24 8l, Al Ferof[40/1]11-5
25/01/10	FON 14Sft 4-6yCl6 NHF,1K	147 lbs	Joe Tizzard	1/13 6l, Caught By Witness[6/1]11-4

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3

Dunraven Storm (IRE) R Johnson P Hobbs

6 yrs / 161 lbs 1-1124

147

CommentDunraven Storm

Held by Cue Card on November course running

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
20/11/10	HAY 16GSCl1 NvLisHd,10K	162 lbs	Richard Johnson	4/4 17 1/4l, Toubab[1/2F]11-0
12/11/10	CHL 16GdCl1 NvG2Hd,14K	161 lbs	Richard Johnson	2/7 8l, Cue Card[5/1]11-7
30/10/10	ASC 16GdCl2 NvHd,7K	157 lbs	Richard Johnson	1/6 4l, Recession Proof[11/8F]11-3
07/10/10	EXE 17GdCl4 NvHd,3K	152 lbs	Richard Johnson	1/13 11l, Dean's Grange[2/5F]11-5
13/04/10	EXE 17Gd 4-6yCl6 NHF,1K	163 lbs	Richard Johnson	1/9 3 3/4l, Shrewd Investment[EvensF]10-10

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4

Far Away So Close (IRE) D N Russell P Nolan

6 yrs / 161 lbs 231178

130

CommentFar Away So Close

Midfield here last year and will do well to better that

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
12/02/11	LEO 18HyNvG1Hd,45K	164 lbs	A P Cawley	8/10 33 3/4l, Oscars Well[66/1]11-10
12/11/10	CHL 16GdCl1 NvG2Hd,14K	161 lbs	D N Russell	7/7 67 1/2l, Cue Card[18/1]11-7
26/10/10	PUN 16Gd/YNvHd,10K	160 lbs	D N Russell	1/8 Nk, Hazeymm[11/10F]11-9
05/10/10	TIP 16Y 4-5yMdHd,3K	158 lbs	A P Cawley	1/20 2 1/2l, Apt Manor[13/8]11-7
15/09/10	LIS 16Gd/YMdHd,8K	166 lbs	D N Russell	3/16 3l, The Real Article[5/2]11-12

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5

Gibb River (IRE) A Tinkler N Henderson

5 yrs / 161 lbs 111

139

CommentGibb River

Impressive hat-trick scorer but only stable's third string

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
03/02/11	WCN 16GSCl3 NvHd,4K	166 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/13 12l, Sunley Peace[1/9F]11-2
02/01/11	PLU 16GSCl4 NvHd,2K	166 lbs	A P McCoy	1/14 7l, Mr Muddle[6/4F]10-7
10/11/10	HUN 16GSCl4 NvHd,3K	152 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/16 6l, Strongbows Legend[EvensF]10-12
21/08/09	YOR 14GF 3yCl2Hc,32K	114 lbs	Adrian McCarthy	5/13 3 3/4l, Akmal[20/1]9-3
07/08/09	LIN 14GSCl5 Md,3K	126 lbs	Jamie Spencer	2/4 2 3/4l, Bernie The Bolt[5/4F]9-0

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6

Hidden Universe (IRE) Mr R P McNamara D Weld

5 yrs / 161 lbs 011-14

135

CommentHidden Universe

Held by Zaidpour but can improve; ground should suit

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
12/02/11	LEO 18HyNvG1Hd,45K	163 lbs	Mr R P McNamara	4/10 10 3/4l, Oscars Well[9/2]11-10
30/12/10	LEO 16Sft/Hy 4yMdHd,7K	161 lbs	Mr R P McNamara	1/21 4l, Joe Smooth[4/11F]11-7
06/10/10	NAV 16YMd,5K	133 lbs	P J Smullen	4/20 9 1/2l, Fosters Cross[5/6F]9-2
21/04/10	PUN 16Gd 4-7yG1NHF,46K	158 lbs	Mr R P McNamara	1/17 2l, Oilily[5/1]11-9
11/04/10	LIM 16Sft 4yNHF,14K	160 lbs	Mr R P McNamara	1/10 2l, Si C'Etait Vrai[4/5F]11-2

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7

Rathlin J M Maguire P Rothwell

6 yrs / 161 lbs /13-21

127

CommentRathlin

Gowran maiden win has been boosted but passed over by Russell

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
05/03/11	GOW 16Y/SftMdHd,6K	166 lbs	D N Russell	1/20 4l, Sicilian Secret[15/8]11-12 tongue str
03/02/11	CLO 16Sft/Hy 5-6yMdHd,3K	158 lbs	D N Russell	2/18 1l, Definite Class[11/10F]11-2
05/04/10	FAI 18Hy 4-6yNHF,29K	168 lbs	Mr J J Codd	3/11 29l, Last Instalment[7/2]11-9

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8

Recession Proof (FR) R Thornton J J Quinn

5 yrs / 161 lbs 12111

137

CommentRecession Proof

Won valuable totesport Trophy but sights raised here

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
18/02/11	NBY 16SftCl1 G3HdHc,34K	148 lbs	Dougie Costello	1/15 Sht-hd, Bothy[12/1]10-7
28/12/10	STH 16St/SlwCl4 NHF,3K	154 lbs	Dougie Costello	1/14 2 1/2l, Bivouac[7/2]11-0
23/11/10	LIN 19HyCl4 NvHd,3K	159 lbs	Dougie Costello	1/11 1 1/4l, Brackloon High[9/4]11-5
30/10/10	ASC 16GdCl2 NvHd,7K	157 lbs	Dougie Costello	2/6 4l, Dunraven Storm[8/1]11-3
08/10/10	CRL 17GdCl4 NvHd,2K	152 lbs	Dougie Costello	1/11 2 3/4l, County Colours[7/4F]10-12

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9

Sheer Genius (IRE) Andrew J McNamara J Murphy

6 yrs / 161 lbs 40632U

118

CommentSheer Genius

Placed in bumpers and novice hurdles; looks out of depth

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
27/02/11	LEO 18SftNvHdHc,6K	151 lbs	Mr G Sheehan	UR/15Ghareer[5/1]10-0
26/01/11	LIM 19HyNvHd,10K	147 lbs	Mr G Sheehan	2/7 1 1/4l, Smokey Joe Joe[16/1]11-4
30/12/10	LIM 16Sft/HyMdHd,7K	166 lbs	K Whelan	3/16 7l, Big Secret[6/1]11-12
13/12/10	COR 19SftMdHd,6K	163 lbs	E F Power	6/22 31 1/4l, Shop Dj[20/1]11-7 tongue str
14/11/10	COR 20Sft 4-5yMdHd,6K	163 lbs	E F Power	16/22 51 1/2l+, Revelling[12/1]11-0

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10

Spanish Treasure (GER) N Scholfield A Turnell

5 yrs / 161 lbs 1-415

-

CommentSpanish Treasure

Looked promising on hurdling debut but bled last time

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
26/01/11	HUN 16GSCl4 NvHd,2K	165 lbs	Nick Scholfield	5/14 35 1/4l, Nobunaga[5/2]11-4
03/01/11	HER 17SftCl5 MdHd,2K	159 lbs	Nick Scholfield	1/14 2 1/2l, Kells Belle[7/2J]10-12
21/12/10	KEM 16St/SlwCl4 NHF,3K	154 lbs	Nick Scholfield	4/11 4 1/4l, Blue Monster[2/1]11-0
20/04/10	PUN 16Gd 4yNHF,6K	161 lbs	Mr R P McNamara	1/25 4l, Valleymount[16/1]10-9

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11

Spirit Son (FR) B J Geraghty N Henderson

5 yrs / 161 lbs 111

149

CommentSpirit Son

Unbeaten and Geraghty's pick of stable trio; should be involved

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
13/02/11	EXE 17HyCl1 NvLisHd,8K	165 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/6 21l, Cedre Bleu[4/9F]10-13
14/01/11	HUN 16Sft 4-7yCl4 NvHd,3K	166 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/13 2 1/2l, Sivola De Sivola[8/13F]11-2
20/09/10	Aut 18VSftLisHd,25K	143 lbs	Sebastien Fleurie	1/12 nse, Saphir River[94/10]10-3

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12

Sprinter Sacre (FR) A P McCoy N Henderson

5 yrs / 161 lbs 11-211

145

CommentSprinter Sacre

Stroll last twice; unknown quantity but passed over by Geraghty

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/02/11	ASC 16SftCl2 NvHd,6K	161 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/8 7l, Polisky[30/100F]10-7
05/02/11	Ffo 16GSCl4 NvHd,3K	157 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/8 10l, Sorcillera[2/9F]10-10
19/11/10	ASC 19GSCl3 NvHd,5K	152 lbs	Barry Geraghty	2/12 1 3/4l, Frascati Park[6/5F]10-12
17/04/10	AYR 16Gd 4-6yCl4 NHF,5K	158 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/12 4l, Yes Tom[13/8F]11-2
20/02/10	ASC 16GS 4-6yCl3 NHF,5K	149 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/14 nse, King Of The Night[8/11F]11-8

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13

Zaidpour (FR) P Townend W Mullins

5 yrs / 161 lbs 1122

146

CommentZaidpour

Not quite come up to expectations and Ruby is on Al Ferof

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
12/02/11	LEO 18HyNvG1Hd,45K	163 lbs	P Townend	2/10 5 1/2l, Oscars Well[EvensF]11-10
29/12/10	LEO 16HyNvG1Hd,46K	161 lbs	P Townend	2/5 Nk, First Lieutenant[1/4F]11-10
15/12/10	FAI 16SftNvG1Hd,46K	161 lbs	P Townend	1/6 12l, Pineau De Re[4/7F]11-10
13/11/10	PUN 20Sft 4yMdHd,6K	161 lbs	P Townend	1/22 12l, Katys Girl[8/11F]10-11
06/07/09	Com 10GS 3yLis,27K	126 lbs	Christophe Soumillon	4/4Byword[9/2]9-0

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14

Magen's Star (IRE) D J Condon T Stack

6 yrs / 154 lbs 11

144

CommentMagen's Star

Useful on Flat; won both hurdles easily and unexposed

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
03/02/11	CLO 16Sft/HyNvHd,6K	161 lbs	D J Condon	1/17 15l, Stephanie Kate[15/8F]11-6
04/11/10	THU 16Sft 4-5yMdHd,5K	161 lbs	D J Condon	1/18 16l, Coolharbour Breeze[9/4]10-13
15/09/10	LIS 12Y/Sft,12K	127 lbs	W J Lee	3/8 2 1/2l, Clearwater Bay[9/2]9-2
13/07/10	KLN 14Y/Sft,5K	135 lbs	W J Lee	3/9 7l, Alpine Eagle[7/4F]9-7
11/10/09	CUR 12SftLis,27K	130 lbs	W J Lee	10/13 20 1/4l, Silverhand[16/1]9-7

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15

Marsh Warbler F Davis B Ellison

4 yrs / 153 lbs 3111

151

CommentMarsh Warbler

Chepstow Grade 1 win solid form but ground livelier than ideal

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
08/01/11	CHP 16Sft 4yCl1 G1Hd,20K	154 lbs	Fearghal Davis	1/8 2 3/4l, Houblon Des Obeaux[8/1]11-0
23/11/10	SED 17Sft 3yCl4 Hd,2K	156 lbs	Fearghal Davis	1/5 9l, Al Dafa[2/9F]11-7
10/11/10	BAN 17Sft 3yCl4 MdHd,3K	149 lbs	Fearghal Davis	1/8 23l, Call To Arms[85/40]10-9
07/11/10	MAR 17Sft 3yCl4 Hd,3K	149 lbs	Fearghal Davis	3/13 3 1/4l, Pullyourfingerout[3/1]11-5 tongue str
05/10/10	LEI 9Hy 3yCl6 Sl,2K	123 lbs	Tom Queally	1/7 11l, Flighty Frances[9/4]8-11

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Cue Card made his first appearance of the season with a comfortable victory at Aintree back in October, the Champion Bumper winner was hugely impressive against modest opposition and looked to be a potential star. He backed that up when he hacked up at the Open Meeting at Cheltenham in good company, he won with ease beating the likes of Dunraven Storm hardly coming off the bridle and his Supreme Novices price was slashed yet further. He remained the hot favourite after a gallant second behind Menorah in the International Hurdle in December which was his last run before the Festival. Cue Card stepped out of Novice company for the first time and looked like he belonged but it remains more likely he will swerve the Champion Hurdle for the Supreme Novices this season.

A big threat to Cue Card if they both run in the Supreme could be the excellent Zaidpour who has been highly impressive for Willie Mullins and connections. He won at Punchestown and more impressively at Fairyhouse in the Bar one Royal Bond Novice Hurdle without really coming off the bridle in either race. The first win was over 2m 5f while the Fairyhouse win showed he also had the speed to win over the Supreme Novices distance of 2 miles. His claims took a dent though with a defeat to First Lieutenant in the Future Champions Novice Chase at the end of December. Zaidpour was never travelling well and that day and drifted in the betting for the Supreme while Ruby Walsh has decided to take the ride on Al Ferof who goes for Paul Nicholls.

Zaidpour was not at his best again when second behind Oscars Well in the Deloitte Novices Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out, he jumped poorly and although he was staying on he never looked like picking up the winner and has drifted in the betting once again.

Nicky Henderson looks to have another Novice star on his hands after Spirit Son won his third consecutive race at Exeter last time out, he hacked up to win the Betfair App and Android App Novices Hurdle in some style and has been slashed in the Supreme Betting as a result. He has already picked up wins at Huntingdon and Auteil in France and is a potential star of the future over the fences but in the meantime is a real contender for the Supreme Novices Hurdle today.

The latest candidate to emerge as a danger to Cue Card is Recession Proof who was very game in winning the Totesport Trophy and has to taken as a serious contender for the Festival opener based on that run. While the same can be said of Sprinter Sacre who looks another star for Nicky Henderson following a couple of good wins at Ffos Las and then most recently at Ascot when he won the Trisoft Novices Hurdle in some style.

Cheltenham Festival - Betting Tips