Spirit can rise to the occasion in Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot

Stablemate Thomas Campbell feared most

Henderson also saddles Thomas Campbell who has a progressive profile and looks the main danger to the selection.

The four-year-old looked a smart prospect when landing a bumper by 14 lengths at Kelso back in May and confirmed that view when making a winning debut over the obstacles at Cheltenham.

After racing prominently throughout, Thomas Campbell overcame a mistake at the last to forge clear and beat stable companion Khezerabad by 2 3/4 lengths.

It was a most taking performance and Thomas Campbell has since gone on to score impressively over course and distance when pulling readily clear after the final flight to easily beat Criq Rock by four lengths.

Judge on those displays he is another exciting prospect for the master of Seven Barrows.

Captain Forez commands plenty of respect

Captain Forez shaped with plenty of promise on debut for trainer Dan Skelton and is another fascinating contender.

The gelding, who finished runner-up on his sole start in France, travelled strongly until weakening late on to finish third to Jenkins in a hot 13-runner maiden hurdle at Newbury.

Pingshiu, who finished fourth, has come out and won since to give the form a boost and the winner is a very highly regarded stable companion of the selection who is currently 7/1 joint-favourite with Coral for the 2017 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Captain Forez looks sure to come on a bundle for that outing and in receipt of 4lb from Lough Derg Spirit looks sure to make his presence felt.

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Coral’s top tip: Trainer Nickey Henderson saddles two very exciting prospects in the shape of Lough Derg Spirit and Thomas Campbell and the former rates a solid bet to come out on top and further enhance his 2017 Cheltenham Festival claims.