Will I Like To Move It star in the Supreme Trial? Here's what his form tells us

Sunday: 3.30 CheltenhamSky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Sharp Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) | 2m½f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Altior was the last star to win this in 2015 in the season when he went on to land the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but you would be surprised if a festival star was among the field this year.

I Like To Move It has the strongest form courtesy of his victory over Tritonic over course and distance last month, and his bumper form wasn't bad either. He finished ninth in the Champion Bumper behind Sir Gerhard at the festival in March and has improved since.

A 3lb penalty for that success still leaves him miles clear on Racing Post Ratings, but several of his rivals haven't had the opportunity to run a big figure. They may be able to in this class.

Chief among the dangers is Washington for in-form Olly Murphy. Washington landed both bumpers last season and won well on his hurdles debut at Bangor in October. It's hard to gauge the merit of that performance, but a Topspeed of 73 suggests the time isn't special.

It's not often Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton train the two outsiders in a four-runner field, but that's the case overnight. Nicholls is represented by Sonigino and Skelton saddles Pikar.

Sir Alex Ferguson has a share in Sonigino, who won his last two starts in France and Nicholls has a line on Pikar through his Knappers Hill, the horse who beat Pikar at Chepstow last time.

Nicholls won this in 2012 with star chaser Dodging Bullets and Sonigino's future probably lies over fences. His latest RPR of 123 is 7lb higher than Pikar's, but he has to concede 3lb.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Sam Twiston-Davies, rider of I Like To Move It
I'm looking forward to getting back on him and he's been in great form at home since his last win. It's cut up to be a four-runner field which will make it interesting tactically. Win, lose or draw, he's a horse who I have a lot of time for and we're looking forward to seeing him move forward again.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Sonigino
He's a lovely horse starting out for us. He won his last two starts in France, and although the form has not really worked out from his Auteuil race, he couldn't have won any easier. My only reservation is the ground and if it dries out, I might wait another week with him.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Washington
He’s a talented horse but he needs to relax better in this race than he has in his last two races. A small field will suit, I think, and we’re going to ride him patiently. We’ve changed the bit in his mouth and he’s going to wear a red hood to start, all to try and help him settle.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Pikar
He’s a good horse. We’re taking a big bite here, obviously, but there’s not a lot of runners and I'm looking forward to getting in there.
Reporting by Peter Scargill

Read Sunday's previews:

12.30 Punchestown: Vanillier and Sixshooter take aim at quality Florida Pearl Chase

1.10 Cheltenham: Can exciting Does He Know make it three in a row over fences?

1.45 Cheltenham: James Ewart bidding for first Cheltenham winner with fancied Empire De Maulde

2.05 Punchestown: Honeysuckle's biggest threat? Echoes In Rain out to show talent in the Morgiana

2.20 Cheltenham: Keith Melrose on why the Champion Chase heroine faces a stiff task in the Shloer

2.55 Cheltenham: How good were last season's juveniles? The Greatwood could give us the answer

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