Vautour entered the mix in style today. Got a bit of the 33's after the race, but couldn't get as much on as I'd have liked. I've also backed Doctor Harper @ 33/1 to small stakes - he's entered at Cheltenham on Friday.

0.5pt Doctor Harper @ 33/1
0.3 pt Vautour @ 33/1

Garde La Victoire I'm on at 25/1 and topped up earlier at 16/1 given his going to be clipped tomorrow when he runs. I think he's the best novice we have seen so far and he has bags full of improvement in him when he improves his hurdling. Bigger fields with a stronger pace will suit him and allow him to settle better. Hoping for an impressive performance tomorrow when he's up and against some decent horses and giving a lot of weight to some others.

Irving is another that's a good price on here and hes another that fits my trainer/supreme method.

I did back Volnay de Thaix at big odds on here as I have been very impressed with his jumping,aint beaten much in his 2 races but has done it easily,although he don't fit my method,as hes trained by Henderson who don't seem to go for the Supreme as much as others, seems to prefer a softly softly type approach which reaps benefits after their novice year.
But at around 70 on here I got tempted.Hes still available at around 60,so probably done my money-aint fancied at all it seems.

Diamond King was very scruffy over his hurdles today on several occasions before he put down on the jock at the last. Feeling the ground?

His hurdling looked to have improved to me today, he pulled a little in the early part of the race but settled well. Only reason he pulled was because it was a joke pace early again. He's still only 4 and going to get better, I'd hardly be writing him off on the basis of todays run where he pulled 9lengths clear of 3rd.

Menorah lost twice over hurdles before he won the Supreme, Al Ferof lost twice, Champaigne Fever lost. I'm glad he got a good battle today against another very good horse. Hope we see him in something like the Tolworth next.

"The winner looks like he's a good horse too and they've pulled away so we'll see. Whether he's good enough to run in the top novice hurdles now I don't know." P. Hobbs
Is that just post race disappointment? I think it's obvious he has the raw talent and Ballyalton is possibly being underestimated. He'd already taken care of another good horse in Oscar Rock.

Irving vs Volnay De Thaix at Ascot tomorrow. 11/4 vs 6/5.

Irving won well though his victory would have been less comprehensive if the Ferguson horse hadn't fallen at the last. VDT jumped like it was blind.

Yeh, don't know what happened to VDT's jumping, had been really good till today.
Irving I thought was quiet impressive.
Wide open year and happy with Irving and Garde la Victoire,not so with Volnay.

I was hugely impressed by him Budde. Looks a really,really nice horse. Not sure if he is ready for a Supreme test, micht be one for next season a bit like Un Atout was supposed to be before his injury, but fcuk me he looks smart.

Union Dues been sighted anywhere yet?

A lot of Willie's short priced ones are being turned over this week so there may be reasons why they are not finishing their races (Champagne Fever, Felix Yonger, Arvika, Moyle Park).

Maybe they have a bit of a bug in the yard? The top yards are not immune from them. CF was probably winded but the other 3 haven't properly finished their races.....and you can add the 3YO filly to that list who was pulled up on Boxing Day.

the standout performance imo is still the liquidator by some way...

I really like valseur lido, both starts very impressive. jumps really well, very natural. looks to have a real turn of foot aswell. Why is he still 25/1...

Tolworth looks like it might be an interesting trial on Saturday....they won't all stand their ground of course. WPM has 3 entered, which probably means none will pitch up!

X rated form imo budd and I'd ignore it. They went an absolute crawl for 2 miles, lousy conditions and they were virtually all in with a chance turning in. Ballyalton drifted like a barge before the race, so he was probably nowhere near his best today. Having said that, Oscar Rock hardly franked his Newcastle form at Newbury.

I was a real Oscar Rock believer at the start of the season but I'm not sure I can forgive 2 average runs at this stage of the season. I had planned to shape my novice hurdle betting for the season around the form lines of OR and West Wizard and although there has been some success e.g. The Skyfarmer, Legacy Gold etc; the form doesn't look as strong as thought it was and I'll be looking elsewhere come March I feel.

Backed him as well Alleged for Supreme, also for Neptune @40s before he jumped flight this season. Entered Saturday at Sandown v Irving my other bet, but imagine meeting in doubt following all the rain down here? Would be informative race as Mullins few entered not sure any will show though?

Glossy,
I would not give up on OR mate,and I think that form with Ballyalton could look pretty good in time.

Owner Henry Ponsonby is dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory with his two exciting Flat performers Tiger Cliff and First Mohican.

Last year's Ebor winner Tiger Cliff was last seen finishing a creditable eighth in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October, while First Mohican won four times on the level and was also placed in Group Three company in France.

Both horses have since switched from Lady Cecil's yard to the care of leading National Hunt trainer Alan King.

The Barbury Castle handler has closed his yard for a short period, with a number of horses suffering from a bug, but Ponsonby hopes to see his duo staking a claim for a place at Cheltenham in the not-too-distant future.

Ponsonby said: "Alan King has shut up shop for the time being, so I don't expect to see Tiger Cliff or First Mohican out until the end of this month or early February.

"Both horses have schooled very well. We have no complaints in that department. They are both really enjoying their jumping.

"Tiger Cliff will have entries in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Neptune, and I think First Mohican will only be entered for the Supreme."