Assessing Willie Mullins' potential runners in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle

As the countdown to the 2024 Cheltenham Festival continues, all eyes are on the market for the opening race of the prestigious meeting — the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

All-time leading trainer Willie Mullins, who now boasts 94 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, holds the record for the most Supreme victories with seven.

It has been three years since the Irish handler last won the race with Appreciate It in 2021, but that looks set to change this March — as Mullins has a strong hand in the Supreme Novices Hurdle 2024 odds.

That said, read on as we take a look at the potential Closutton runners in this year’s renewal of the Grade 1 contest.

Ballyburn – 5/4

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle market has fluctuated all season, but it is Ballyburn who currently holds the title of market leader.

Unbeaten in two bumpers last year, the six-year-old was stunned by Firefox on his hurdle debut at Fairyhouse in December, finishing second.

Ballyburn hasn’t put a foot wrong since though, winning a maiden at Leopardstown by 25 lengths and then landing a Grade 1 back at the Dublin course in February.

It’s worth noting, that while Ballyburn is the 5/4 favourite in the race odds for the Supreme, he could still be routed for the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle.

Tullyhill – 4/1

Another horse who has climbed in the market is Tullyhill, as the flamboyant grey shot up to second favourite following a Listed win in February.

The former point-to-point winner won on his bumper debut and was second to A Dream To Share in the Grade 1 Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race next time out.

He too failed to make a winning start over hurdles this season, finishing a distant second to Shannon Royal at Punchestown in November despite starting the race priced 1/8.

Tullyhill has righted that wrong twice now, winning a maiden at Naas in January before following up with that impressive aforementioned Listed success at Punchestown.

Mystical Power – 6/1

Once at the fore of the market, Mystical Power has drifted and now finds himself as the 6/1 joint-third favourite alongside the previously mentioned Firefox thanks to the success of his stablemates.

The five-year-old is unbeaten in his three races under rules, winning a bumper at Ballinrobe last May before making a seamless transition to obstacles.

Mystical Power made his hurdle at Galway in July, winning a Novice Hurdle by seven lengths over Samui.

It was 167 days before he was seen again in January, and he made the step up in class look easy with another seven-length success — this time beating Jigoro to win the Grade 2 SkyBet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

While that victory is at a higher level than Tullyhill has been tested at, Mystical Power lacks the experience of his stablemates over hurdles and that might make all the difference at Cheltenham.

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Billericay Dickie, who won on his hurdle debut at Punchestown in January, and Ile Antlantique, who was beaten by a neck in the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle, both still hold Supreme entries, but look more likely to head to the Baring Bingham.