Top Irish novice hurdler Youlneverwalkalone could be set for a mouth-watering clash with highly-rated Monsignor at Cheltenham, it emerged today.
A tilt at Mark Pitman's star in the two-mile-five-furlong Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle is "favourite" for the gelding, who is market leader for the two-mile Capel Cure Sharp Novices' Hurdle with Coral.
Christy Roche, trainer of the unbeaten gelding, said: "The Press and everyone have got him as running in the Supreme Novices' but it is far from decided yet.
"I have to discuss it with the owner but I would say that at this stage the SunAlliance would be favourite. He's a half-brother to Galmoy (dual winner of the Stayers' Hurdle) and comes from a good staying family, although he does have a good turn of speed."
Roche is wary of taking on Dermot Weld's useful Flat performer Stage Affair, second to Daylami in the 1998 Tattersalls Gold Cup and runner-up to Istabraq over hurdles at Leopardstown last month, in the Supreme.
"Dermot Weld's horse had exceptional Flat form," said Roche. "And any horse who can be beaten one and a half lengths by Sheikh Mohammed's grey horse and can jump as well is going to be doubly-difficult to beat."
Capel Cure Sharp Supreme Novices' Hurdle: Coral betting: 11-4 Youlneverwalkalone, 3-1 Stage Affair, 7-2 Far Cry, 7-1 Seebald, Rodock, 10-1 bar. Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle: Coral betting: 10-11 Monsignor, 8-1 Bindaree, 10-1 bar.
