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Geraghty braced for power Serge

Killultagh Vic winning over hurdles at Clonmel last monthKillultagh Vic winning over hurdles at Clonmel last month
© Photo Healy Racing

Barry Geraghty is looking forward to seeing the Irish and English novices clash in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle at Ascot on Friday when Killultagh Vic meets L'Ami Serge.

Nicky Henderson's L'Ami Serge was never off the bridle in winning the usually informative Gerry Feilden on his first run in England since moving from France, a performance which had Geraghty purring.

He meets the Willie Mullins-trained Killultagh Vic, who ran well in the Cheltenham and Punchestown bumpers last season and opened his account over timber with the minimum of fuss.

"L'Ami Serge was put up a stone in the weights so he's stepping up in class," said Geraghty.

"Saying that, he was very impressive and you'd have to be happy with what he did at Newbury. He handled the conditions well and coasted through.

"After that he deserved to run in a race like this, whatever the handicapper did, and you could only be happy with what he did the last day.

"Willie has a runner and it is always interesting when you get to see how the form compares."

The likely outsider of four is Fergal O'Brien's Gunner Fifteen, a 16-length winner at Uttoxeter last month.

"We could have gone for a handicap off his mark and on ratings we are punching above our weight, but there are only four runners and I think he has improved a bit," said O'Brien.

"It's a big pot so we may as well have a go.

"I think he'll be better off in a race like this than in a 15-runner novice. He's by Westerner so he likes a bit of room.

"We bought him from Adrian Maguire as a three-year-old and won a bumper for us but then he didn't enjoy the big field at Chepstow, though, saying that, Aubusson won it and he's in the Long Walk.

"He pulled very hard. Every time he felt a horse on his tail he wanted to go quicker, which is why I think a small field will suit."

The fourth runner is Paul Nicholls' Emerging Talent, twice beaten as favourite this season.

Former winners of the Grade Two, better known as the Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle, include Medermit, Puffin Billy and subsequent Fighting Fifth scorer Irving.