Punters Get Behind Min In The Opener The Supreme Novices Hurdle opens the meeting on Tuesday and the famous roar could be a few octaves higher for new Paddy Power customers who can get 9/1 about the ante-post favourite MIN. Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh and Rich Ricci are going for their fourth win in a row in the race after Champagne Fever, Vautour and Douvan have all delivered in the past three years. Nicky Henderson hasn’t trained the Supreme Novice Hurdle winner in 24 years but has had 10 second, third or fourth-place finishers in the last nine years alone. His Altior and Buveur D’Aircould be the biggest dangers to the favourite who has won both his starts easily this season. Mullins, Walsh and Ricci could be looking for an opening-day treble when the Champion Hurdle rolls around (if Douvan wins the Arkle Chase) as Annie Power looks to take up where last year’s champ Faugheen left off. The wonder mare has been ante-post favourite since injury ruled Faugheen out from defending his title and Paddy Power are offering new customers 10/1 that Annie Power wins her first race at the Cheltenham Festival by lifting the Champion Hurdle crown. But it won’t be a gimme with stablemates Nichols Canyon and Sempre Medici in the mix and the improving Identity Thief all set to line up. The New One is looking to keep the crown at home for England while Nicky Henderson could throw three darts at the board in My Tent or Yours, Peace & Co and Hargam.
