RATINGS - Nine of the last 12 won by horses already with a BHA Rating of 150. Kopek Des Bordes 157, Slade Steel was only 147, Constitution Hill on 148. Labaik was 143 when the top rated contender was Ballyandy on only 147. Labaik's was a disappointing version and hindsight says that Slade Steel's version may not have been much better. In that year Tullyhill 153 (8th) the only one rated in the 150s. In 2023 they went Facile Vega 155 (4th), Il Etait Temps 155 (5th), Marine Nationale 150. In 2022 it was Dysart Dynamo (f) 152, CH 148, Jonbon 145. In the past 12 races, a total of 18 horses came to this with a BHA rating of at least 153. Seven won and five others were placed. Kopek (only qualifier) brought the stat back after a disappointing couple of years. In 2021 Appreciate It was also the only qualifier. Four rated 153 plus in 2020 including the 1-2 Shishkin and Abacadabras. Shishkin was returned the outsider of the four on exchange prices.

AGE - This century all bar three have been won by either a 5 or 6 year olds including 16 of the last 17. Appreciate It the exception and the only one from outside that range to run in 2021. William Munny 8/1 a close second last year. Asian Master in 4th only qualifier 2024. Nothing other than 5 or 6 yr olds in the 2023 14 runners. Six yr olds filled the top seven places in 2020.

71 horses aged 7 and above have tried in the past 30 renewals. William Munny (plus two unplaced), Asian Master 4th, Kilcruit 6/1 3rd behind Constitution Hill. Appreciate It (all 7yr olds), Like-a-Butterfly '02 (8 yrs) and Captain Cee Bee '08 (7yrs) won when well fancied, Simple Arithmetic ’95 and Chauvinist ‘03 only others to get placed. Sondrio ’89 only other winner from this age group in the past 40 odd years. Before Appreciate It, no seven year olds placed or priced under 14s since Dunguib 4/5 third in 2010. Only 14 others have tried. Workahead tailed off last year at 15/2.

No 4 yr old winner since Hors La Loi '99. Hors la Loi came from winning the 4 yr old Finesse on Trials Day. Then it was called the Summit Hurdle, run in mid-December at Lingfield. The best 4 yr old performance since was Binocular 2nd in '08. He had come from winning the Adonis at Kempton. Fakir D'Oudairies, 4th in 2019 was backed down to 9/2 joint fav (along with a Betfair Hurdle winner, jeez). Probably ran here as JP's ill fated Sir Erec was meant to be a certainty for the Triumph. They get an 8lb allowance. No four yr olds ran in the last six years.

PRICE - 10 winning favourites (or joint favs) since 1970 including seven Irish trained. Kopek Des Bordes 4/6, Constitution Hill 9/4 jt fav, Appreciate It 8/11, Douvan at 2s and Vautour '14 (7/2 jt fav) then a gap to Like a Butterfly, Back in Front and Brave Inca winning when favs between ‘02 -‘04. Kopek Des Bordes, Appreciate It, Douvan, Like A Butterfly and Forest Sun in 1990 are the only winning favourites in the last 19 to start 2/1 or less. Only 5 clear favourites have won from the last 26 when starting shorter than 3/1. Tullyhill 11/4, Facile Vega 9/4, Asterion Forlonge 9/4. Getabird, Min, My Tent or Yours, Cue Card, Dunguib, Cousin Vinny, Amaretto Rose, Sweet Wake have been all shorties since 2004 and all turned over. This century has seen a big price spread of winners including 40s, 25s twice (Labaik) and 20s.

So, only three outright favs in the last 20 have obliged. Having said all that, Labaik is the only winner returned bigger than 12s in the last 18.

19 of the last 24 winners started (at least) joint favourite on their previous run. Kopek Des Bordes 4/5 at the DRF, Constitution Hill 2/5 in the Tolworth, Appreciate It was 1/3 also at the DRF. Not Slade Steel nor Marine Nationale. Former was 6/1 second fav to Ballyburn in the DRF, the latter 11/2 third fav in the Royal Bond, Not Summerville Boy (8s in the Tolworth), Vautour nor Labaik (14s last time out).

TRAINERS

IRISH TRAINED have won nine of the last 13 (16 from 25), now sometimes with more than half the field (10 from 11 last year, Tutti Quanti the only GB exception, 8 from 11 2024, 9 from 14 2023). 6 of the 16 Irish trained were (at least) jt favs, Slade Steel and Marine Nationale both third favs, Klassical Dream 9/2 joint fav in the morning, was returned 6/1. Champagne Fever returned 5/1 (was 12/1 in the morning), another was returned 17/2 and the rest of them were 10/1 and above (the three largest priced Irish winners were trained by W Mullins and G Elliott). Kopek Des Bordes, Appreciate It, Klassical Dream, Vautour, Champagne Fever, Like A Butterfly and Brave Inca came having won the Tattersalls/Deloitte Novice Hurdle at the DRF Dublin Racing Festival. In 2024 the DRF 1-2 Ballyburn and Slade Steel both won here. In 2022 Sir Gerhard also went Ballymore. Douvan 2015 came here from winning the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, the fourth winner to come via that route. He was the last one to do so although Mystical Power and Min (both 2nd) came the same way.

W Mullins has won eight Supremes and six of the last 13. Also Mystical Power (2nd), Blue Lord and Dysart Dynamo both fell when probably destined for a place. As said above, five of his winners doubled up with the Deloitte/Chanelle. Tourist Attraction was third at Leopardstown, Ebaziyan 2007 had only won a maiden hurdle previously and came from the Flat. Appreciate It joined Champagne Fever as his only winners to have run in the Champion Bumper. Appreciate It finished 2nd to Ferny Hollow, Champagne won in his bumper year. Kilcruit, Bellshill, Shaneshill were all beaten in both, they went immediately up in trip for their next run after the Supreme. Had 2nd and 3rd 2023 with Facile Vega and Diverge.

Only one of Willie Mullins' horses that lined up in the Supreme Novice had run beyond the DRF - Bring On The Night (4th to Constution Hill). Only Labaik 25/1 finished in the top 2 in the Supreme Novice, running after the 10th of February. All his other horses in the top 2 in the last 11 years had run no later than the DRF. Tullyhill in 8th was only 23 days from his previous run.

The Supreme is currently the second most successful Festival race for Irish Trained runners after the Champion Hurdle. First five home in the last two years, first eight home in 2023 but only a 3rd place in 2022, 1-2 in 2021, 2nd and 4th 2020, winner 2019, a third in 2018, 1-2 in 2017, Min 2nd to Altior 2016, 1-2-3 2015).

Horses that failed to make the top four finish on a run within six weeks of the Festival are 8/49 in G1s at the meeting since 2003. None ran in this. Lossiemouth 4/6 last year, Gaelic Warrior 2/1f Arkle 2024 passed the test, Facile Vega failed in 2023. Other winners with Vanillier, Labaik, Black Hercules, Uxizandre, Lord Windermere and Voy Por Ustedes. Courtesy of Tony Keenan.

Of the last 15 Irish Trained winners, nine were the Emerald Isle's most fancied in the market. Not the pair before Kopek Des Bordes

ONLY TWO HURDLE RUNS? - Kopek Des Bordes, Marine Nationale and Constitution Hill the first since Captain Cee Bee (E Harty) '08 and Ebaziyan (W Mullins) '07 to only have two previous runs over hurdles. Diverge 3rd 2023 on the back of only two maiden hurdles. No GB trained winner with less than three runs since Shadow Leader (Charlie Egerton) '97. N Henderson is not known for overracing his charges. Shishkin had technically 3 runs but he fell at the second hurdle on the first of those at Newbury.

SECOND SEASON NOVICE - This century Vautour, Klassical Dream the only second season novices to win. Both had run in French hurdle races, The latter run five times over hurdles in France. Douvan's first run over hurdles was on the 13th May. Both Shishkin and Appreciate It from p2ps. No winner's first season over hurdles was in GB or IRE. (WPM has also run Salvadoe Mundi (5th), Mistergif, Supersundae and Il Etait Temps, all second season novices).

Can't find a horse that won this after running in the previous Festival's Triumph. Salvador Mundi was 6th, then 5th here last year. Let's Dance won the Mares Novice by such a route, but that's the closest. Reve de Sivola was meant to win a Ballymore, but no one told Peddlers Cross.

In 2022, 10 horses tried to win a Festival Grade 1 having not been seen for at least 90 days. None, including Appreciate It, were successful. Stat torpedoed by Marine Nationale in 2023 - 100 days, Teahupoo 2023 - 102 days and Poniros 161 days last year. Definitely buried. 9 others unsuccessful last year.

JOCKEYS - Ruby rode six Supreme winners. All from top three in the market. And three seconds with Melon, Min and Granit Jack in '07 beaten by Ebaziyan 40s (trained by W Mullins). Nico has three winners and a third from the last ten. (No ride 2025, 2023 nor 2021). Michael O'Sullivan RIP couldn't claim the 5 lbs in 2023. Didn't stop him. P Townend ahs won this twice

D McCain (Cinders and Ashes 2012) and Howard Johnson (Arcalis 2005) only northern trainers to taste success since Gordon Richards won with Tartan Tailer in 1987. Hard to see that changing.

Paul Nicholls - Won with Al Ferof 10/1 in 2011, Noland in ‘06. Also Granit Jack 2^nd in '07 and two fifth places. (Tutti Quanti 6th last year at 125s, Tahmuras 10th 2023, the Tolworth winner, a no hoper 2022, no runners the previous two, Grand Sancy 11th 2019, no runner in the previous four years. Irving ran a stinker in 2014, Dodging Bullets only 9th in 2013). Not usually a man for social runners. No runners at all on the Tuesday races in 2020, watched it from his local in Ditcheat. Last year saddled two no hopers, 2024 Liari 9/2 PU in the Boodles his sole rep. In the previous three Festivals he has had only three runners on each Tuesday, 2023 all nowhere, 2022 Bel Ex One, third at 28/1 in the Boodles, 2021 two of the three placed albeit at short prices. I digress.

Constitution Hill, Shishkin and Altior 2016 are recent Nicky Henderson winners after Flown ‘92. He does also have a very strong recent place record. In the last 18 renewals, 16 of his 27 runners were placed, four were priced over 10/1 including 2nd and 3rd in 2014. Jeriko De Reponet PU 2024 when runners were 'wrong'. No runner 2023 or 2021, 1-2 in 2022, a 1-3-5 in 2020 with Chantry House in 3rd, Angels Breath 7th 2019, Claimantakinforgan 5th 2018, Buveur D'Air 3rd in 2017, L'Ami Serge 4th 2015 at 7/2. My Tent or Yours 2nd when fav 2013, Darlan 2nd at 7s 2012 and in 2011 Spirit Son 2nd at 5/1, Sprinter Sacre 3rd at 11s. In 2008 he also trained the best four old performance for many years with Binocular in 2nd. Old Park Star.

Nicky has trained five Tolworth winners, before Constitution Hill, only New York Rainbow and L'Ami Serge of the five came here. The former couldn't keep up with Flown in '92, finishing 4th. L'Ami won at Sandown by 14l. Then only 4th to Douvan. Tolworth winners to double up, Summerville Boy and Noland. Other notables French Holly, Monsignor and Yorkhill won the Ballymore. In 2023 the Tolworth became the Formby, run at Aintree on Boxing Day. Still a G1. Won by Nicky's Jango Baie who missed the Supreme for Aintree. 2023 Tahmuras 11th here at 11/1. Potters Charm won it last season, then 5th in the Turners. Only other Tolworth winner to actually come since 2006 was L'Ami Serge (4th to Douvan). Yorkhill 2016 won the Neptune, three other winners were unplaced in the Neptune. Finians Oscar won the G1 2m4f at Aintree. Those behind in Tolworth/Formby include Agrapart and Kalashnikov. Both won Betfair Hurdles as novices, admittedly in Newbury swamps. Idaho Sun

Nigel Twiston Davies has won once with Arctic Kinsman in 1994. One third place since, Gatflax 16/1 1998. In the past 24 yrs, 9 runners, best Ballyandy 4th when jt fav in 2017. Five of the nine were no hopers. Al Dancer (10th, and fav), Ballyandy and Splash Of Ginge (15th) all came from winning the Betfair, Pigeon Island (11th) had run a credible 5th at Newbury, then won a Dovecote before this.

PREPARATION RACES - Apart from the Deloitte/Chanelle Hurdle at Leopardstown, Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in December and the Tolworth. These three races have produced 12 of the last 25 winners - Stat appeal may be limited as the last Royal Bond winner before Marine Nationale to double up was Like A Butterfly in 2002. Now a G2 Eight Royal Bond winners between 2002 and 2023 have tried here, four placed. the most recent being Mengli Khan in 2018. Tounsivator and Farren Glory didn't come here. Romeo Coolio 2nd at Fairyhouse at 1/2, finished 3rd here last year. Shishkin killed the 'you don't win the Sydney Banks at Huntingdon and then come and win here' stat. Brave Inca won the 2004 Deloitte and Supreme after starting that season winning a h'cap hurdle off 95.

MOSCOW FLYER HURDLE - Punchestown January - Vautour 2014, Douvan 2015 did the double. Min 2016 ran into Altior at Cheltenham. Don Cossack was second at Punchestown to Mosoltov in 2013. Dysart Dynamo set it up for Con Hill 2022. Moscow Flyer winners 2F280311205 in the Supreme. Felix Desjy 1st/6th, Mengli Khan 2nd/3rd, Impair et Passe scooted home in the Ballymore 2023 after winning at 1/3 at Punchestown. Mystical Power 1st/2nd. Sober

Since the MOSCOW FLYER was first run in 2003, 15 winners have come to Cheltenham, 11 of those to the Supreme. WPM has won the race 11 times. His only three that didn't come to this race were Impair et Passe, Miguel D'Haugenet 2009 Ballymore winner and Gagewell Flyer tailed off in the 2011 Albert Bartlett. In 2009 he had Cousin Vinny, the 9/4 fav for the Supreme (5th to Go Native) and in 2011 he probably wanted to give the vintage of Al Ferof, Cue Card and Sprinter Sacre a very, very wide berth. Since then, Vautour (win), Douvan (win), Min (2nd), Getabird (11th at 7/4 fav) Mystical Power (2nd), Salvador Mundi (5th).

PADDY POWER FUTURE NOVICES HURDLE - Leopardstown December. Going since 1996. Appreciate It won at Christmas and became the first to do the Supreme double. Abacadabras won in December, was 2nd in March to Shishkin. Jezki won then 3rd. In 2022 Mighty Potter 15/2 unplaced. Then won the Punchestown Grade 1. Caldwell Potter NR 2024' Romeo Coolio 3rd. Skylight Hustle 1st home. El Cairos?

PREVIOUS RACE IN A HANDICAP - The Betfair/William Hill Hurdle double has never been done but Kalashnikov, My Tent Or Yours and Get Me Out Of Here were all 2nd here after winning at Newbury. Also Ballyandy 4th as 3/1 jt fav, Recession Proof 5th in 2011 both after winning at Newbury. Darlan was 2nd 2012 after being unlucky at Newbury. In 2021, Soaring Glory 10s was a poor enough 4th of seven finishers at Cheltenham. Of the last 17 Betfair Hurdles winners, ten were novices, eight came here. Last year Joyeuse won at Newbury but Nicky thought he'd take on Lossiemouth in the Mares instead. Finished 6th. None of the previous three winners were novices. L'Eau Du Sud and Filey Bay, both 2nd at Newbury, did finish 2nd/3rd in the County Hurdle. Apart from the three that finished 2nd in the Supreme, the other five unplaced. In 1997 Make A Stand did win a Champion Hurdle after winning a Betfair Hurdle. Brave Inca won two handicap hurdles in the rise to his success in 2004. Although this is a G1, the Betfair Hurdle does tend to be worth £12k+ more to the winner. The more important aim? Easier to win? Fewer Irish? Supreme more of an afterthought? Why not?

Soaring Glory was rated 133 at Newbury. Those that have run in the Supreme have finished 42520420 albeit the rest all won a Betfair Hurdle off higher marks than he. My Tent or Yours 149, Kalashnikov 141, Al Dancer 141, Ballyandy 135. They all started 5/1 and under at Cheltenham.

Captain Cee Bee 2008 won a rated hurdle at Punchestown last time out, but apart from him, all the last 35 won by horses that competed in a Novice Hurdle last time. The last 75 English trained horses whose last run was in a non-novice hurdle have been unsuccessful. 30 of the 75 had gained at least a place in an all aged rated handicap hurdle. No qualifiers last three years. 2021 three of the four English novices came straight from a handicap. 2020 likewise. 2019 Grand Sancy won the Kingwell last time out as a novice, trounced here.

The Betfair Novice Hurdle at Newbury's February Meeting has featured Shadow Leader, Arcalis and Al Ferof plus Chantry House. Nothing 2022 to 2024. Last year Tutti Quanti 2nd at Newbury, then 6th here.

Rossington Main at Haydock. Last to double up Cinders And Ashes 2012. Jonbon won it in 2022. Jeriko De Reponet PU here. No takers last year.

Cheltenham's 2 mile Novice in December has produced Noland, Al Ferof and Darlan. Chantry House won both this and the Newbury Novice, 3rd behind Shishkin 2019. 2017 Pingshou was the December winner, unpl here then won at Aintree. Nothing relevant recently. Old Park Star

oddschecker/Skybet Supreme Novices Trial on course in November has come to the fore, Altior won it and Summerville Boy finished second in 2017. 2020 For Pleasure did well to finish 3rd here at 40s. 2023 Fennor Cross 11th here then won big 2m 4f handicap at Aintree. Valgrand disappointed. Fortune De Mer for the County?

FOR AUCTION NOVICE - G3 Navan - November. 2018 Abacadabras 2nd here bt Latest Exhibition in a 10 second slower time than Aramon won in 2019. There was a big difference in the state of the ground Soft/Heavy versus Good. Aramon won the For Auction in a faster time than Labaik did in 2016. Mengli Khan also won the For Auction before finishing 3rd here. Nothing came here last three years. I'll Sort That

Flown in 1992 is the last horse to win this after only one run over hurdles. Flown won the G2 Dovecote first time up. 1992 Festival ground may have been nearly good to firm suiting the flat breds. Melon 2nd 2017 after one maiden hurdle win. Flown also the last Dovecote winner to double up. Last six Dovecote winners haven't turned up. River Wylde 3rd 2017. Last two years Tripoli Flyer and Lump Sum beaten at Aintree, 2023 Rubaud went to Ayr instead for £43k. Since 2007, Diverge 3rd, For Pleasure 3rd, 2021, Mengli Khan 3rd 2018 and Labaik, only Binocular of the 61 triers who ran on the flat have gained a place in this. Mistergif unpl 2024, three others tried 2023, best High Definition 7th.

G2 2 mile Paddypower Novice Hurdle Naas late February. Only Go Native 2009 has achieved the double.

Vulgan 1948 Div 1 Gloucester Hurdle won after only one racecourse run ever. (thank you, young Delargy).

12 of the last 14 had won in G1 or G2 NH company. (Exceptions - Shishkin, only Listed win, Labaik G3 winner For Auction Novice. Before that Arcalis (ex flat) who had finished 4^th when highly tried as a 4 yr old novice in the Christmas Hurdle, Captain Cee Bee and Menorah, both ex bumpers who didn‘t race in a Graded NH race before Cheltenham).

NH BREEDING? - Kopek Des Bordes by No Risk At All, sire of Epatante and Alloha, Slade Steel by Telescope, Marine Nationale by French Navy. I don't see too many known NH on that page. Constitution Hill by Blue Bresil (also the sire of Royal Paguille and Blue Lord), Appreciate It by Jeremy who was responsible for FOUR winners at the 2021 Festival. Serious dual purpose sire. Shishkin by Sholokov, sire of Don Cossack. Last two year ex bumper horses finished 1-2-3, in 2023 it was 1-2, 2022 a 2-3, 1-2 in 2021, a 1-2-3 in 2020. Constitution Hill had run in one p2p.

COURSE FORM - From the last 34 only six were previous course winners (including Altior and Champagne Fever). However only 10 of the 34 had previously run at the course, the only non-winners were Appreciate It (Ch Bumper 2nd), Summerville Boy (beaten twice that season in course Novice hurdles) Arctic Kinsman who slipped up in a bumper after five furlongs and Al Ferof who fell when cruising in a C&D novice hurdle. He had been second to Cue Card in that Bumper. Summerville Boy and Al Ferof only winners in the last 20 odd years to have previously run in but not win a course novice hurdle. The last six winners up to 2024 had yet to darken the door.

This century all bar Summerville Boy and Labaik had won at least 50% of all GB and IRE hurdle starts. Summerville Boy was one from four (tbf it was the Tolworth) Labaik was two from five. All had won at least once, No winner this century failed to finish last time out. Labaik did finish his previous race but after giving the rest 200 yds at the start. As was his wont.

Nine of the last 12 winners were unbeaten when completing over hurdles (Shishkin tripped over at Newbury first time out). 13 of the last 15 won last time out. This century all bar Slade Steel, Labaik, Menorah '10 and Arcalis '05 had won last time.

Since Destriero 1991, only Kopek Des Bordes (3), Marine Nationale (4), Constitution Hill (2), Shiskin and Douvan (both 4 runs) won this having had less than five runs in total as a racehorse, Flat and NH. Destriero ran twice, won a bumper and the Boxing Day maiden hurdle at Leopardstown. Turned up here and won by 4l at 6/1. Might have been a shilling or two on.

Last amateur jockey to win this was Mr Dermot Browne on Browne's Gazette in 1984. Bless him. Backed Browne's Gazette well that day. Even more on the year after in the Champion Hurdle. I don't talk about that. Any more.

Beware overrating novices who have run well in Irish Champion Hurdle. There was a history (not recent) of young hurdlers running big races there only to fail here (and in the Triumph). Grand Sancy in the Kingwell would be a typical example. Those like Old Dundalk, Nordic Surprise, Finnegans Hollow, His Song (the latter two both close seconds to Istabraq in Irish CHs) didn't tend to totally reproduce it next time. In 2020 Darvers Star 20/1 second to Honeysuckle rekindled the old stat but unfortunately not qualified for this as had won a hurdle the previous April. He did back up his run in the Champion Hurdle, though. Not relevant in recent runnings.

39 of last 40 winners had won at least once previously. 37 of last 39 placed 1-2-3 last time, 30 won the previous outing. Labaik burned the last two stats. None of the last 36 winners had more than 5 runs that season.

SUPREME TIMES - Slade Steel 4.13 in a bog. Marine Nationale 4 mins dead in soft ground, 0.3 of a second slower than Constitution Hill an hour later. 2022 CH at 3.44, five seconds faster than Honeysuckle an hour later. Well publicised, the damage done by Dysart Dynamo over the first half mile. 2021 3.56 just under 2 secs slower than Honeysuckle. 2020 4.08 in soft ground, one second slower than Epatante an hour later. Both mares carried 4lbs less. 2019 4 mins dead, soft ground. 2018 4.05 heavy ground. 2017 3.53 (we thought that was slow) 2016 Altior in 3. 46,

PREVIOUS BEST TIMES - Kopek 4.00 soft Leop DRF, Slade Steel 3.59 Naas Maiden Hurdle, Marine Nationale 4.09 in the soft ground Royal Bond, Constitution Hill 4.05 Sandown Novice (not the Tolworth). Appreciate It 4.07 twice at Leopardstown. Shishkin had done 4 03 for 2m and half a furlong at Newbury. Abacadabras 3.55 Leop G1 Xmas. Klassical Dream 3 48 in the DRF G1. Summerville Boy's best time had been 4 04 in the Tolworth.

I know it's impossible to compare different tracks and different days but best times this season so far are :

Fairyhouse Royal Bond - 4.01 Koktail Brut

Formby 2m Aintree - 4.02 G to Soft Idaho Sun

Navan For Auction Hurdle 4.03 yielding I'll Sort That

Moscow Flyer Hurdle -

G1 Leopardstown Xmas 3.55 yielding Skylight Hustle

2m 1/2f Chelt Old - 3.56 Good Fortune De Mer

Rossington Main Haydock -

Dovecote -

G1 Leopardstown DRF -

2025 Champion Bumper - First three home have yet to cover themselves in glory but behind them we had El Cairos (5th) Idaho Sun (6th) then Surtudo, No Drama This End and Fortune De Mer. Promising.

2024 Champion Bumper form - No more than a fair vintage. We had Romeo Coolio, The Yellow Clay, Royal Infantry and Bill Joyce and a few maiden hurdle winners

2023 Champion Bumper form. Don't think there has ever been one like it. A Dream To Share, the winner, has had a small setback but no fewer than 20 horses out of 21 from that race have since won a race. Role of honour includes a G1 Punchestown Bumper, a Challow, a Persian War, a Limerick G2, a Cheltenham Cl 2, a Listed mares and countless maiden hurdles. As impressive as I can remember.

2022 Champion Bumper Form - Facile Vega from American Mike and James's Gate. The winner is the obvious standout but the rest did for the form. 'the worst return of any Champion Bumper from the start of the following season to the end of December for the last ten years.' Paul Kealy RP Weekender

2021 Sir Gerhard from Kilcruit. Reversed in Punchestown. 2020 Ferny Hollow bt Appreciate It. The latter won the Xmas G1.

2019 Champion Bumper - A very decent vintage. Envoi Allen carried all before him. 3G1s including the Ballymore. Behind him were Thyme Hill, 3rd and Abacadabras 4th. The latter was a close second to Shishkin. Compare 2018 and Willie's Bumper 1-2-3, Relegate beating Carefully Selected with Tornado Flyer in third. They took a while to bolster the form. Felix Desjy 6th in 2018 won the Punchestown Moscow Flyer.

To try and put it into context, the 2012 race did produce Champagne Fever, The New One and Jezki. Champagne Fever only the second Festival Bumper winner to follow up in this race after Montelado in '93. Seven of the last 12 have tried, Facile Vega 2nd, Ballyandy 4th, Silver Concorde (finished last), Cue Card (4th), Dunguib (3rd), Cork All Star (7th) and Cousin Vinny (5th). Monsignor won Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle the year after his bumper win. The Champion Bumper has produced the winner of this in the four of the last 14 Festivals, Al Ferof (2nd), Cinders and Ashes (5th), Champagne Fever (1st), Appreciate It (2nd). Shaneshill 2nd in the Supreme after being 2nd in the bumper. Back in Front 3rd in 2002 Bumper before winning this.

Only 8 of the last 24 Supreme winners had competed in one of the big three, Cheltenham, Aintree or Punchestown Bumpers. The latter two didn't take place in 2020 due to COVID.

BIG FIELD FORM - 20 of the last 25 winners had previously won in fields of at least 14 runners. But only Slade Steel, Appreciate It, Shishkin and Klassical Dream of the last 10. All those 20 all bar Marine Nationale, Appreciate It, Shishkin, Altior, Douvan and Cinders and Ashes had been successful in fields of 16 runners. Marine Nationale had taken a 15 runner Punchestown Bumper on debut. Summervillle Boy had won a Killarney lady riders bumper with 12 runners. Cinder And Ashes had been beaten a sh hd in a course bumper in a field of 16. Vautour had previously beaten a field of 29. Big field novice hurdles in UK not the norm these days, in case you haven't noticed. Not sure how relevant this is. The triers also seem to go off in front in Irish maidens!

Kopek Des Bordes joins Klassical Dream, Douvan, Vautour, Al Ferof 2010 and Hors la Loi '99 to be the fifth French Bred to win this. Binocular and Min also 2nd for the French. Hors and Binoc were 4 yr olds at the time. Slade Steel, Marine Nationale, Appreciate It, Shiskin and Summerville Boy, Irish bred. Constitution Hill GB bred.

22 mares ran in past 29 races. Three winners and two seconds. No winners since Like A Butterfly ‘02, Amaretto Rose placed ‘07. Heaven Help Us 100/1 2020, a very respectable 7th. No mares ran in the previous eight Supremes. Far less whingeing made of the Mares Novice 'diluting the product' than the Ryanair where there is actually a gap.

AND THE REST - Kopek Des Bordes, Klassical Dream, Douvan, Vautour, Champange Fever, Sausalito Bay. Indefence and Arctic Kinsman lead virtually the whole way. Slade Steel 'prominent'. 8 from the last 30. Michael O'Sullivan took the lead jumping the last. Constitution Hill took over two out. Appreciate It jogged round after For Pleasure took off. Shishkin led 50 yds out. Labaik swooped at the last off a slowly run race. 23 of last 30 winners (all bar Marine Nationale, Altior on Boxing Day, Constitution Hill and Summerville Boy both 66 days, Douvan 10th Jan, 59 days, Captain Cee Bee (November) and Cinders and Ashes 52 days) had previous run within 45 days of this race (to help that should mean 22nd January ish). Marine Nationale and Altior only the second and third winners from the last 30 not out this calendar year. Ballsy from Barry Connell.

BLINKERS/HOODS/CHEEKPIECES etc - Big news. Not only was Kopek Des Bordes wearing a first time hood, so was William Munny in 2nd. The only successes from 40 triers since Flown 1992. Before this WPM was 0-9 first time hoods at Festival since 2016. Didn't just work with Mystical Power nor Il Etait Temp. But was about to with Gaelic Warrior. 5th at 4/1. Soaring Glory, a poor fourth in first time cheekpieces. 2017 Cilaos Emery, first time hood, 5th. Petit Mouchoir, hooded, unpl in 2016.

This century 49 Beaten Favourites last time have run in this. Two winners Menorah 12s 2010 (beaten at 1/2 previous race) and Arcalis 20s 2005 (beaten at 11/8 last time). None ran last two years. Facile Vega 2023 2nd, Angels Breath unpl 2019, Claimantanforgan similar in 2018, likewise Cilaos Emery and Crack Mome in 2017.

None of the last 22 were chestnuts. Love that one.

And to finish, the last Supreme winner to win the Gold Cup was L'Escargot 1968 and 1970. In case people are getting excited Slade Steel, Korpek Des Bordes

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