Irish-trained horses have carried off seven of the nine renewals of the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle since 2000 (no race in 2001) and the Philip Fenton-trained Dunguib heads 36 Irish-based horses among the 104 entries for the extended two-mile contest.
The seven-year-old, winner of the Grade One Weatherbys Champion Bumper at The Festival in 2009, is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles. Most recently, he cruised to a seven-length triumph over the Tom Mullins-trained Some Present in the Grade One Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December. Mullins has also entered the unbeaten Dr Whizz.
The Dermot Weld-trained Rite Of Passage was third in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper last term and won on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown in January.
Willie Mullins has entered nine potential contenders. Blackstairmountain easily opened his account at the first attempt at Punchestown on 31 January, while others include dual bumper winners Flat Out, Paul Kristian and Don’t Turn Bach, the smart two-time hurdle winner Morning Supreme, Grade One paddypowerpoker.com Future Champion Novices’ Hurdle third Fionnegas and Rhyl Accord, who was runner-up to Shinrock Paddy in a Navan Grade One in December.
The Noel Meade-trained Hollo Ladies was too good for Fionnegas in the aforementioned Grade One but was only fourth to the John Hanlon-trained Luska Lad in the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown last month.
Meade, successful with Go Native (2009) and Sausalito Bay (2000) has six entries in total, including Navan winner Thegreatjohnbrowne.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained Loosen My Load won the Grade Two Sharp Novices’ Hurdle over the course and distance at The Open in November.
Looking at the home defence, Nicky Henderson, twice successful with River Ceiriog (1986) and Flown (1992), has seven entries, including the unbeaten Oscar Whisky, Bellvano and General Miller, who landed a hat-trick when defeating the Paul Nicholls-trained Ghizao over the course and distance in December but was no match for Restless Harry in an extended two and a half-mile Grade Two at Cheltenham on 30 January.
Paul Nicholls, successful with Noland in 2006, has engaged eight of his string in all, including Grade One Christmas Hurdle fifth Pepe Simo and the classy four-year-olds Pistolet Noir, Sang Bleu, Royal Mix and Advisor.
Salden Licht is two from two over hurdles for trainer Alan King, who also has Grade Two Winter Novices’ Hurdle victor Manyriverstocross and Taunton winner Whistlejacquet among five entries.
The Philip Hobbs-trained Menorah was impressive when slamming Bellvano at Kempton in December, while the Donald McCain-trained Peddlers Cross is unbeaten in four starts and most recently stormed to victory in a Grade Two contest at Haydock.
Another entry with a perfect record of four wins is the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Get Me Out Of Here, while David Pipe has engaged dual bumper winner Dan Breen, Dream Esteem and the four-year-old Notus De La Tour.
Vino Griego, third behind Manyriverstocross at Sandown in December, easily landed the spoils at Wincanton in January for trainer Gary Moore, while Emma Lavelle and Ian Williams have engaged Southwell novices’ hurdle victors Tocca Ferro and Gifted Leader, respectively.
Others of note include Henry King, Frascati Park, On Borrowed Wings, Washington Irving, Inventor and Hollins.
Analysis courtesy of Cheltenham Racecourse
