THIS season’s novice hurdlers are a notably talented bunch, and that was shown in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, in which Shishkin and Abacadabras came clear in a race run at an even stronger gallop than the Champion, the leader (Asterion Forlonge) getting to three out nearly 10 lengths ahead of the leader in the Champion (Petit Mouchoir).

Abacadabras cruised into the lead after two out (where Elixir d’Ainay and Captain Guinness departed when close up), briefly going about 6/1 on in play, but was joined by Shishkin at the last and just worried out of it at the death.

At the line, I had the Champion and Supreme identical in terms of time, with the geldings rated four higher than the mare on account of carrying more weight but also getting edged up a further 1lb, to 162, on account of the strong early pace and slowish finish.

Shishkin may go chasing, while Abacadabras looks bona-fide Champion Hurdle material, but that is before considering the results of races from Wednesday onwards, which will be analysed in detail in these pages next week.

It is best to be quite forgiving about the beaten horses in the Supreme, who all came back slowly and with their beaten margins exaggerated somewhat.

Asterion Forlonge (remains on 156) needs to learn to jump straighter but has bags of talent, while Chantry House (155), Allart (153) and Edwardstone (153) are all early enough in their careers to improve on what are quite impressive figures by novice standards.