'This has been on our radar for a while' - analysis and trainer quotes for the always-competitive Silver Trophy

Five of the last ten winners of the Silver Trophy arrived with the benefit of race-fitness from a recent start, but this year’s running is packed with horses having their first outing of the season.

Philip Hobbs won this with a lightly raced second-season hurdler in 2021 and the Somerset trainer, who was joined on the licence by long-time assistant Johnson White last year, saddles two runners who fit the mould.

Lowry’s Bar won four of his five starts in his novice hurdle campaign last term, including two course victories, while Into The Park, who was a three-length third when falling at the last in a point-to-point won by last season’s Champion Bumper scorer Jasmin De Vaux, improved with experience last season and should not be dismissed under regular rider Micheal Nolan.

The Tom Lacey-trained Tune In A Box beat a more-fancied stablemate when winning a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown festival in April and boasts form figures of 11211 since entering handicap company. His sole defeat in such races came over 3m on heavy ground.

Jockey bookings suggest the pick of Dan Skelton’s three runners is Doyen Quest, who ended last season with a 2m4½f handicap hurdle success at Cheltenham. He recorded a 3lb higher Racing Post Rating when winning a 2m½f contest at Newbury on his penultimate start, but is another with a progressive profile.

Jipcot failed to fire in three starts over fences as a four-year-old last season but bounced back to form over hurdles, winning easily at Huntingdon and running a big race six days later when third in the Imperial Cup. He has his first start for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, whose other runner Crebilly carries top weight and looks a short price giving weight to several unexposed types.

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Take No Chances, Doyen Quest and Forever William
Doyen Quest is progressive and the track should be ideal. He can hopefully go very well. Take No Chances might not be the best handicapped but she is consistent, while Forever William ran nicely at Newton Abbot last time. This is a big step up in class but he’s in good form.

Philip Hobbs, joint-trainer of Lowry’s Bar and Into The Park
They are two nice second-season hurdlers who hopefully can continue to progress. They will be suited by this trip and it's hard to split them.

Paul Nicholls: runs two in the Silver TrophyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Afadil and Irish Hill
Irish Hill has come back down to a more realistic mark and this has always been the plan. Freddie [Gingell, jockey] gets on very well with Afadil, who improved for cheekpieces last season. I suspect they'll come on for the run.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Josh The Boss
He's improving and has every chance.

Tom Lacey, trainer of Tune In A Box
He went up 15lb for his Punchestown success which was a hell of a hit, but he did win in very convincing fashion. This is a big step up but this has been on our radar for a while and he's fit and ready to roll.

Evan Williams, trainer of Patriotik
I’d have loved a prep run, but we couldn’t get him ready in time. He’s snuck in so why not give it a go? He’s a little gem and I couldn’t give a negative about him.

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Last Encore could still be well handicapped in competitive Birdcatcher given formidable maiden form   

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