IT might be a good idea to retain at least a little bit of faith in Summerville Boy.

True, he disappointed again in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. That was his second below par run back out of two attempts this season. Okay, so he was taking on Buveur D’Air and Samcro on his first run back in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on the first day of this month, but he was beaten over 20 lengths by those two, and he was beaten by Vision Des Flos for third.

That said, he was weak in the market before both of his runs this season. Perhaps he just hasn’t come to himself yet. Also, crucially, Tom George’s horse was beaten in his first three runs last season. In a maiden at Stratford, in a Grade 2 race at Cheltenham’s November meeting, and in a really good novices’ hurdle at Cheltenham’s December meeting, when he finished third behind Western Ryder and Lalor.

The Sandmason gelding did not get off the mark over hurdles until he won the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle on soft ground at Sandown in January last season. He had Kalashnikov over four lengths back in second place that day, and he had Western Ryder well back in fourth. Then he went to Cheltenham and won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

BATTLED

It is difficult to forget the quality of the performance that he put up that day. He made a bad mistake at the second last flight, and he made another at the last, yet he still battled on well enough to get the better of Kalashnikov again, with Mengli Khan back in third.

That is really strong form. Those two horses are now favourite and second favourite for the Arkle.

Summerville Boy has to bounce back now, and he may need soft ground to be seen at his best. But there is every chance that he will. He may be underrated the next time he runs.