CHELTENHAM 13:30

All 14 ran. Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 59.9s Closing Sectional: (4.1f): 59.1s (101.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 106.4%

There might have been no Constitution Hill in this season's Supreme, but this was still a strong renewal of the championship race for 2m novices, 4 of the field having won at Grade 1 level, the size of the field back to double figures for the first time in 3 years, the numbers nearly all due to Irish stables, British-based handlers able to muster just 5 runners, the best of them finishing ninth; the pace was sound, better than for the later Champion Hurdle, though the field was still well grouped 2 out and the race became rather messy, though the winner scored decisively in the end and there were no real hard-luck stories.

MARINE NATIONALE (IRE) made it 3 from 3 over hurdles and picked up a second Grade 1, unusually for a Supreme winner not given a run between Christmas and Cheltenham but there was no sign of inexperience in his performance, or from his young jockey, for that matter; soon steadied, travelled well, smooth headway home turn, led soon after last, drew clear run-in, won readily; likely to progress further, with Punchestown surely on the agenda, hard to beat there, exciting options beyond that, including possibly fences and a return here for the 2024 Arkle.

FACILE VEGA (IRE) wasted no time getting back to form, ridden more patiently than last time (also in earplugs), losing no caste lost in defeat to a highly promising rival, his long-term future still bright, even if he was a bit on his toes and started to sweat in the preliminaries; waited with, smooth headway before 2 out, led there, kicked on entering straight, ridden when awkward last, edged right, headed soon after, one paced; he has the physique to make a chaser, that probably a more rewarding route than staying over hurdles.

DIVERGE despite failing to take the eye beforehand, progressed again up in grade in first-time tongue strap (also wore earplugs); held up, effort approaching 2 out, kept on well straight, not fluent last, hampered run-in, took third late on; may do better still.

INTHEPOCKET ran his best race, turning the tables on Il Etait Temps, an athletic sort who may well have more to offer when he goes over further; waited with, effort when short of room before 2 out, one paced straight, hung right run-in.

IL ETAIT TEMPS (FR) wasn't disgraced, though the turn of foot he showed last time was lacking, this just a better race; held up, not fluent fifth, headway after, not fluent 2 out, outpaced home turn; he's had his chances over hurdles and unlike a few of the others doesn't have that much about him physically, which suggests he may not be the easiest to place in open company next season.

DARK RAVEN (IRE) showed improved form on just his third start over hurdles, plenty to like about the way he went about things, potential there for better still given his profile, with the option of going up in trip; prominent, travelled well, every chance 2 out, ridden after, third when not fluent last, weakened.

HIGH DEFINITION (IRE) was a bit short of hurdling experience for a race of this nature, given his early departure last time, and he performed with credit, whether he has much more to offer at this discipline remaining to be seen, though; close up, led before second, headed third, every chance still 3 out, ridden and short of room briefly after, weakening when mistake 2 out.

DOCTOR BRAVO (FR) ran creditably up in grade, though he might have benefited from more of a test of stamina, getting done for foot towards the turn; in touch, outpaced 2 out, hung left straight, plugged on; this was just his fourth start over hurdles and he may have more to offer, particularly upped in trip.

STRONG LEADER ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade, emerging best of the British, though that isn't saying much; prominent, outpaced approaching 2 out; he has plenty about him physically and may make a better chaser next season.

TAHMURAS (FR) disappointed, folding quickly once he came under pressure, possibly ready for a step up in trip; handy, tracked pace approaching 2 out, ridden after, soon done with; he'll make a useful novice chaser next season.

FENNOR CROSS (IRE) on softer ground than previously, faced a stiff task in this grade; held up, pushed along halfway, behind when flattened 3 out.

CHASING FIRE looked in good shape, as if not out of place in this field, but he fell short of expectations, soon done with once the principals made their move; prominent, disputed lead 3 out, shaken up before next, beaten when mistake there, weakened; he looks the sort to make a better chaser next season.

PALACE BOY (GER) was out of his depth and soon done with once the pace lifted; patiently ridden, not always fluent, left behind 3 out.

RARE EDITION (IRE) disappointed for the second start running, for all that he had plenty on at this level, perhaps all not well again; raced freely, made most until 3 out, soon done with, pulled up straight.