Power hoping for flying start on Freedom Robbie Power is excited about the prospect of riding Steps To Freedom in the opening Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham today. Jessica Harrington's charge looks the leading Irish hope in the first race of the Festival and Power reported him in great form this morning on Channel Four's Morning Line. The gelding is unbeaten on three starts over hurdles and is generally second favourite for the two mile event. "His work at home has been very impressive and we've been delighted," said Power, who was a guest on the Morning Line. "The plan was always to come straight from the November meeting to here. I'm looking forward to him. He's in great form and has travelled well. "He's been to the Curragh a couple of times and worked very well - he's fit. "He's unbeaten in three starts over hurdles. He came to Cheltenham last November and won but I had a feeling then he had just gone a bit on us. "I think he's a lot better horse now. Usually when you pull him out and give him a squeeze he picks up really quickly but he took a long time to pick up that day. "I just felt he had a hard season on the Flat and with the three quick runs over hurdles I just thought he was gone a little bit. Hopefully you'll see a different horse today. "It's a bit nicer ground here today, better then November. I'm really looking forward to riding him." Power also rides Oscars Well in the Champion Hurdle but is in no doubt about the size the challenge against Hurricane Fly. "If everything goes right on the day Hurricane Fly is probably the most solid of all the horses coming back to defend their titles," admitted Power. "Better ground will suit my horse and the stronger gallop will definitely suit but we are playing for place money realistically. "If anything goes wrong with Hurricane Fly hopefully we're there to pick up the pieces. "It's a difficult season for a horse - the second season novice. "He has a great cruising speed and running on soft ground in Ireland doesn't really suit as he's going a couple of gears too slow. It turns into a sprint and he gets done for toe. "Hopefully today with Overturn and Celestial Halo there will be a strong pace from start to finish and it'll play to my strengths a lot more."
