Supreme: hear from connections, plus a video tip

There will be an almighty roar when the tapes go up for the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and potentially an even bigger one if Nicky Henderson’s Old Park Stargallops up the famous Cheltenham hill first.

The six-year-old heads the market – albeit under pressure from Mighty Park – after winning each of his three hurdles starts to date, drawing comparison to some previous superstar Supreme winners from the yard.

Of his most recent outing – an 18-length demolition at Haydock – Henderson said: “Haydock is a speedy track and it was extraordinary how there were some horses on his tail and I was thinking ‘uh-oh’ and the next minute he had gone, they were off the bridle and capitulated, they couldn’t go with him.

“We’ve had Altior and Shishkin win this and he’d be more like Shishkin at this stage. I just always remember with Altior thinking he was completely different and he was, he was unbeaten for three years.

“I can’t believe this fellow won’t be jumping fences next year. Constitution Hill was another we had in this and while it wasn’t a given he’d win, by the time he got to the Champion Hurdle the next year it was.

“Earlier in the season I thought Act Of Innocence (same ownership) was quicker, but they’ve flip-flopped. I only inherited them (from Paul Nicholls) this year and I’m a very lucky boy, they’ve come to me in their prime.

“He’s made the running the last two times, but he doesn’t have to. I wouldn’t mind if someone would take us along for a bit. He’s in very good order and is a lovely horse, but he’s going to be even more lovely next year over fences.”

Willie Mullins is the only current trainer with a better record in the race than Henderson, having registered eight wins, and his leading contender this year is 38-length Fairyhouse winner Mighty Park, who will be joined by Leader d’Allier and Too Bossy For Us.

“When Mark (Walsh) got off Mighty Park, he said he had a look around at the second-last and he couldn’t believe how far in front he was. He thought he was going a normal pace, so his cruising speed must be huge and he’s a fantastic jumper, so I think that puts him right in the mix,” said Mullins.

“I suppose I was disappointed with Leader d’Allier at Christmas, but he was beaten by Ballyfad and that form looks strong.

“I thought his race in Punchestown the other day puts him right in there with a chance. He has plenty of experience as well having had six runs in France, so that’s a positive.”

Gordon Elliott has also made no secret of the regard in which he holds El Cairos, a £410,000 purchase from the David Maxwell dispersal sale who fell first time up at Leopardstown before winning on his most recent start.

He said: “He’s a very fast horse who works very well. He looked like he was going to be very impressive in Leopardstown and I thought what he did in Thurles, on a track that wouldn’t suit him and ground that was nearly unraceable, was very good.

“I was very keen to get a run into him and we were kind of running out of time. He’s not a big, robust horse, so I didn’t want to be running him three or four weeks out from Cheltenham.

“I think the Supreme will suit him and I’m looking forward to it.”

Dan Skelton has his strongest ever team at Cheltenham and retains faith in Mydaddypaddy, who was ante-post favourite for the race before defeat at the hands of Idaho Sun in the Formby at Aintree.

“It’s a great opener to the Festival, but I think his hat is in the ring, there were mitigating factors at Aintree,” said Skelton.

Joseph O’Brien’s Talk The Talk is the only Grade One winner in the race, with Daryl Jacob, racing manager to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, rating his Leopardstown strike.

He said: “He’s done nothing wrong all year and what he did from Leopardstown from an unfavoured position and on ground he doesn’t like was exceptional.

“He fell at Christmas when he just over-jumped and landed steep but I think he then came out and proved he’s the best of the Irish at the Dublin Racing Festival.

“He’s done it and proved it and is coming over here a Grade One winner in really good form and he is going to run on ground that will really suit him.”