Sky Bet Supreme

Novices’ Hurdle

Trainer Willie Mullins and owner Susannah Ricci have captured three of the last five renewals of the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (73 entries), the Cheltenham Festival’s opening race.

Mullins has 16 entries in 2018, headed by the Ricci-owned pair of Getabird and the promising Sharjah. The later takes on Samcro this this weekend at Leoaprdstown.

Menghli Khan, second to Getabird at Punchestown under a penalty, impressed in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novices’ Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December. He is among five entries for Gordon Elliott.

Lambourn handler Nicky Henderson broke up the Mullins/Ricci run with Altior beating Min two year ago and looks to have a strong chance of adding to his three wins in the race with unbeaten hurdler Claimantakinforgan, one of his four entries.

Summerville Boy (Tom George) made short work of his rivals in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle and may remain at two miles, as could three-time hurdle scorer If The Cap Fits (Harry Fry) and Betfair Hurdle favourite Lalor (Kayley Woollacott).

Sky Bet odds (NRNB):

5/2 Getabird; 4/1 Samcro; 5/1 Apples Shakira; 7/1 Claimantakinforgan, Laurina, Sharjah; 8/1 Espoir D’allen, If The Cap Fits, Next Destination; 10/1 Mengli Khan; 12/1 Salsaretta; 14/1 Real Steel; 16/1 Summerville Boy; 20/1 Farclas, Kalashnikov