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Last year’s Supreme Novices’ winner has an unblemished record over fences heading in to this year’s Arkle and, with his main danger in the ante-post betting for the race, Min (who was second in the Supreme), ruled out through injury recently, he is expected to be very hard to beat at Cheltenham. He could not have been more impressive when making mincemeat out of some very smart opponents in his first start outside of novice company in the Game Spirit Chase last time, and will head into the Arkle rated higher than Sprinter Sacre was after he won the same race at Newbury five years ago. “He’s a long way from Sprinter Sacre, but he’s climbing the ladder,” said Nicky Henderson of Altior, who will reportedly have a racecourse gallop before the Arkle.
Buveur d’Air – Timeform rated h165p
Buveur d’Air was third in Altior’s Supreme last season, and though he was beaten over eight lengths by his stable-companion in that race, he might have finished a bit closer to the likes of Min if he had begun his challenge a little sooner. However, with no Altior to contend with in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, Buveur d’Air returned to winning ways, beating Petit Mouchoir by a neck, with Limini eight lengths back in third. Buveur d’Air’s chasing campaign this season was going well – he was unbeaten after wins at Haydock and Warwick – but, with his limits over hurdles very much unreached, Henderson made the decision to return to timber. Henderson explained that this had been the plan prior to Faugheen being ruled out of the Champion Hurdle through injury, and suggested that Noel Fehily – who rode Buveur d’Air at Cheltenham and Aintree last season – may take the ride at Cheltenham if Barry Geraghty opts to ride J.P. McManus’ other likely runner in the race, Yanworth.
Charli Parcs – Timeform rated h145P
After making a winning debut in a newcomers hurdle at Enghien in November, Charli Parcs was sold for €250,000 to J.P. McManus and transferred to Seven Barrows. Despite having only had one prior start, he showed a very professional attitude on his first start for Henderson, winning a juvenile hurdle at Kempton by eight lengths. The horse back in second that day was Alan King’s Master Blueyes, who went on to boost the form by winning at Ludlow recently, and Charli Parcs remains open to significant improvement (Timeform large ‘P’ attached to his rating). Charli Parcs will reportedly run in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton on the weekend, before taking up his entry in either the Triumph or the Supreme. Given his owner’s wealth of potential Triumph contenders, the Supreme sounds the more likely of the two at this stage.
Might Bite – Timeform rated c156p
Might Bite was in the process of putting in a very smart performance in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day before his dramatic exit at the final fence, but connections received a small consolation for that in January when the winner Royal Vacation – who was some 18 lengths behind Might Bite when he fell – boosted the form by winning a warm handicap at Cheltenham next time. Might Bite himself completed a simple task at Doncaster last time (at 7/1-on), and will reportedly run in the RSA at Cheltenham next (currently ante-post favourite for that race).
Top Notch – Timeform rated c150p
Top Notch already has some very smart form at the Cheltenham Festival already to his name – he was second in the 2015 Triumph Hurdle behind stablemate Peace And Co, and fifth in last season’s Champion Hurdle behind Annie Power. He has two entries for this year’s Festival, but will reportedly go for the JLT Novices’ Chase rather than take on stable-companion Altior in the Arkle. Top Notch put any doubts about his effectiveness at two and a half miles to bed when winning the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown last time, jumping well and leading on the bridle before the last. He remains open to further improvement over fences.
Get a full Timeform debrief from the Nicky Henderson Stable Tour in the video below
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