Mighty Park's Cheltenham Target Confirmed as Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Trainer Willie Mullins has made a decisive call on the Cheltenham Festival target for the highly touted Mighty Park, redirecting the horse to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after withdrawing him from the Turners Novices' Hurdle. This move follows the horse's stunning 38-length victory on his hurdling debut, which sparked comparisons to the legendary Faugheen.
From Turners Favourite to Supreme Contender
Owned by billionaire JP McManus, Mighty Park had been the ante-post favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle, the opening race on Wednesday at the Festival. However, Mullins opted to remove him from that field on Thursday, shifting focus to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle instead. As a result, William Hill has slashed his odds to 7-2 second favourite, down from 8-1, reflecting strong market confidence in his chances.
Mullins' high praise for the horse came after jockey Mark Walsh reported an extraordinary cruising speed during the Fairyhouse win. "Mark said his cruising speed must be huge and he's a fantastic jumper," Mullins recounted. "I think he must be right in the mix for the Supreme. He has to be a hell of a horse to do what he did and has huge natural ability."
Comparisons to Racing Legend Faugheen
The trainer drew direct parallels to Faugheen, a former Champion Hurdle winner known for his dominance. "Winning by 38 lengths like he did the other day puts you into Faugheen-type territory," Mullins stated. He added that from early on, he believed Mighty Park had the quality to win a Champion Bumper based on his performances in training.
This comparison has fueled significant betting interest, with punters rallying behind the once-raced horse. His removal from the Turners field confirms Mullins' strategic preference for the Supreme, a race that often showcases top novice hurdlers.
British Challenge Suffers Setback with Idaho Sun Withdrawal
In related news, the British challenge for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle has been dealt a blow as Harry Fry's Idaho Sun has been ruled out due to a hind limb lameness. The six-year-old, unbeaten in three hurdling starts and a Grade 1 winner at Aintree on Boxing Day, was a 12-1 contender. His absence leaves Nicky Henderson's Old Park Star as the leading British hope for the big race.
Fry announced on social media: "Idaho Sun will unfortunately miss the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham next week due to a hind limb lameness that requires further diagnosis." This development underscores the unpredictable nature of Festival preparations and adds intrigue to the Supreme lineup.
With Mighty Park now firmly in the Supreme picture, all eyes will be on Cheltenham to see if he can live up to the Faugheen comparisons and deliver a performance worthy of his burgeoning reputation.
