Turners Novices Hurdle

A major Cheltenham Festival clue has emerged after Mighty Park was not confirmed for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, leaving the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as his likely target on the opening day next Tuesday.

The highly touted Willie Mullins runner has been the subject of intense speculation since producing a stunning debut performance at Fairyhouse in January, where he bolted up by an astonishing 38 lengths in a maiden hurdle. That performance immediately propelled him into the Festival markets, with bookmakers initially pricing him around 5-1 for the Supreme and 7-2 for the Turners earlier this morning.

However, connections opted not to confirm Mighty Park for the two-mile-five-furlong Turners, effectively leaving the Supreme as his only remaining Festival entry. The move quickly sparked a reaction in the betting.

Bookmakers Paddy Power cut Mighty Park into 11-4 second favourite (from 9-2) for the Supreme, with Old Park Star now heading the market at 9-4 for the traditional Cheltenham curtain-raiser.

The decision also reshapes the market for the Turners. With Mighty Park removed from the equation, No Drama This End and Talk The Talk are now 3-1 joint-favourites with Paddy Power. Talk The Talk’s trainer Joseph O’Brien has previously indicated his runner is more likely to line up in the Supreme, meaning the picture for Wednesday’s novice contest could still evolve before final declarations.

For now, though, the focus firmly shifts to Tuesday’s opener where Mighty Park’s explosive Fairyhouse debut suggests he could add a fascinating new dimension to the Supreme market.