First Flow could challenge favourite in Cheltenham Festival opener

The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle is the Festival's traditional curtain raiser – the culmination of a 360-day wait for jump racing fans, for whom Cheltenham is a festival awaited with more anticipation than Christmas.

But don't expect the winner to come gift wrapped with a bow.

Willie Mullins's Getabird will likely be sent off as market leader, looking to follow in the footsteps of Douvan and Vautour, who both delivered for the same trainer as favourites in the race.

But the Supreme Novices' has not always been kind to the fancies – Min, My Tent Or Yours and Cue Card all beaten at short prices in recent years.

Indeed, in the last ten renewals, only two favourites have won, with Gordon Elliott's long-shot Labaik triumphing 12 months ago to the collected bewilderment of most.

The unbeaten Getabird looks the real deal and, according to the Mullins camp, has enjoyed the perfect preparation.

Even the heavy going – the toughest conditions at the Festival in nearly three decades – are in his favour, although some cast doubts about his ability on a left-handed track.

Kim Bailey's First Flow won the Supreme Trial at Haydock – although the race hasn't exactly delivered on its name over the years, Cinders and Ashes the last horse to translate success into a victory at the Festival.

On winning Bailey also said he was minded to sidestep Cheltenham in favour of a lowly novice hurdle at Kelso, only for that meeting to be cancelled due to snow and his plans to change.

Which, on the face of it, hardly inspires confidence but Bailey wants very soft ground and the weather Gods have delivered on his prayers for a horse unbeaten in three starts.

And – for those who believe in fate – perhaps it is worth remembering that conditions this week bring back memories of 1995, when Bailey pulled off a famous Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle double with Master Oats and Alderbrook.

"He deserves to be here but we'll be honest and admit he's competing in a different league now," said Bailey. "He's done nothing wrong and the conditions will obviously be huge benefit for him."

If nagging doubts exist about Mullins's favourite in the first, there should be little concern about his star charge in the Arkle Trophy – a race he won in 2015 and 2016 with Un de Sceaux and Douvan respectively.

Big and bold Footpad has been foot perfect in his preparation and his dominance over the novice chasing division has rightly scared off rivals, with just four deciding to challenge.

"He's wasn't quite top class as a hurdler," admitted assistant trainer Patrick Mullins, noting the horse's fourth place in last year's Champion Hurdle.

"He's improved since we switched him to fences and he could be really top class. He handles the soft ground and stays further than two miles and, touch wood, looks a very natural jumper.

"He is in great form at home and will be very hard to beat. We are versatile regarding tactics as well."

James Toney/Sportsbeat 2018