‘I fancy Metier to land the spoils’

JOSH DOWN 1. Appreciate It 2. Ganapathi 3. Ballyadam

This doesn’t look like a vintage race but Appreciate It’s form entitles him to head the market and he rates a solid selection. He will bounce out and make it a thorough test – previous winners of this race have stayed well. It’s an open contest beyond the favourite and, at a bigger price, Ganapathi is interesting dropping back in trip. Ballyadam’s chance increases with drying ground but he’s already seen the favourite’s backside twice this season.

SAM HARDY 1. Bareback Jack 2. Appreciate It 3. Ballyadam

Trainer Donald Mccain won this race in 2012 with Cinders And Ashes and has every chance of repeating that success with the unbeaten Bareback Jack, who has impressed with each of his three wins under rules, including in Musselburgh’s Supreme trial last time. I’m convinced there is plenty more to come from the son of Getaway and he will relish a strong pace. Appreciate It is a worthy favourite and should prove the main danger to the selection.

JACK HAYNES 1. Metier 2. Appreciate It 3. Ballyadam

The festival opener is likely to revolve around the market principals and I fancy Metier to land the spoils. British-trained runners have landed this novice hurdle in three of the last five years and Tolworth scorer Metier has solid claims. He has very little to find on Racing Post Ratings with Appreciate It, arrives with a perfect 3-3 record and will be well suited by a strong gallop. Any rain in the lead-up would only boost his chances.

BEN HUTTON 1. Appreciate It 2. Ballyadam 3. Any News

Appreciate It found plenty in the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle when Ballyadam loomed large and is taken to confirm the form in the festival opener, and provide Willie Mullins with a seventh winner of the race. It will be no surprise if Ballyadam closes the gap, while Any News’s form reads well and he is an interesting outsider for Neil Mulholland.

TOM PARK 1. Ballyadam 2. Soaring Glory 3. Appreciate It

Of all the short-priced favourites at the festival this year, Appreciate It is the one I’m keen to take on most. He is clearly very good but he has had everything fall his way this season and his price is way too short for what he has actually achieved. Yes, he has won two Grade 1s, but

Ballyadam clearly wasn’t right over Christmas and everything went wrong for him when beaten last time. Take Ballyadam to reverse the form with the favourite.

MADDY PLAYLE 1. Appreciate It 2. Soaring Glory 3. Dreal Deal

This doesn’t look the strongest Supreme in recent years and, although he has questions to answer and will probably be worth taking on at the time, Appreciate It is respected on his two Grade 1 wins in Ireland and a stamina test over this trip will suit him. Soaring Glory was an excellent winner of the Betfair Hurdle and should be up to this, while it’s difficult to get a handle on exactly how good Dreal Deal is – expect him to be held up and come home strongly for a place.