The curtain raiser of the Cheltenham Festival will be the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle. The race has been aptly named to honour the late Michael O'Sullivan who sadly lost his life after a bad fall at Thurles. A tragic loss for the sport and it seems only right that the race he won two years ago, aboard Marine Nationale, carries the name of the young talent.
Kopek Des Bordes (5/6) is likely to go off a short priced favourite for the race, but there's an abundance of unexposed talent in opposition. Kopek Des Bordes, trained by Willie Mullins, has won all three of his career starts to date. The latter was undoubtedly the most impressive as he sauntered to victory by 13 lengths in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle. There's no knowing how good this lad could be - he already has an Official Rating of 157.
Gordon Elliot has never shied away from taking on Willie Mullins and this year is no different. Romeo Coolio (9/2), with an Official Rating of 148, is his leading representative for the race. He's also a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and does have course experience from finishing a gallant runner up in last years' Champion Bumper behind Jasmin De Vaux. He's the only horse in the race who posted an Average Speed figure faster than 50kph last time out (50.18kph).
Workahead (10/1) finished 7 lengths ahead of William Munny (12/1) when they clashed in a strong maiden hurdle on Boxing Day. However, both horses are lightly raced and open to any amount of improvement, especially under these contrasting conditions. The pace of this race will be frantic from start to finish and the ground also seems to be drying out with little rain forecast.
The British are sadly offering minimal representation in this year's race. Tripoli Flyer (16/1), trained by Fergal O'Brien, looks the sole hope for the British resistance. He did manage to claim a Grade 2 at Kempton last time out, beating some solid British yardsticks in the process. He's rated 142 and has an outside chance. One thing we do know is, in this sport, anything can happen.