Appreciate It is out on his own in the Sky Bet Supreme
Appreciate It is out on his own in the Sky Bet Supreme

Racing news: Appreciate It to stay over hurdles after setback


Appreciate It has met with a minor setback meaning plans to go chasing this season have been shelved.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: "Appreciate It will be out of training for a couple of weeks and because it would mean a late start to his chasing career in terms of this season, we’ve decided on a hurdling campaign when he is ready to return."

The seven-year-old enjoyed an unbeaten four-race campaign as a novice last season, culminating in a brilliant win in the Sky Bet Supreme at Cheltenham.


Analysis: Appreciate It's Champion Hurdle claims

A lack of depth and new blood in the two-mile division meant that it had been very difficult to see Honeysuckle failing to retain her Unibet Champion Hurdle crown. The unbeaten Honeysuckle (Timeform rating 165) will remain tough to beat, but there is at least a credible new challenger on the scene in the shape of last season's leading novice Appreciate It (160p).

The Timeform Jury Service

Appreciate It earned his lofty rating thanks to a 24-length success in the Sky Bet Supreme, and only three winners of that race this century have run to a higher figure - Champagne Fever (165), Douvan (162) and Altior (166).

That took Appreciate It's record to four from four over hurdles and he still has the Timeform 'small p' attached to his rating, indicating that he remains open to improvement.

He will need to improve markedly to beat an on-song Honeysuckle, though, as she is rated 5 lb higher and receives a 7 lb sex allowance, so sets a high standard.

Appreciate It would also be coming out behind Sharjah (164) and Epatante (154+7) on Timeform's figures once the Champion Hurdle weights are taken into account, but his unexposed, improving profile marks him out as Honeysuckle's main danger.

Tony McFadden, Timeform


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