After securing a convincing victory at the Supreme Trial’ Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock this week, Cinders and Ashes has emerged as a major contender for the Cheltenham Festival.The win at Haydock saw the horse display electric pace as well as the ability to overtake using sheer power.

Trainer Donald McCain is now excited at the prospect of Cinders and Ashes running at Cheltenham, revealing that the prospect will not run again

before March.

Referring to the win at Haydock to begin with, he said: “I’m relieved.

I didn’t really want to run him on this (heavy) ground again as he didn’t like it the last day.”"I was looking for other options but couldn’t find anything else suitable, so we’ve gone down the tried-and-tested route.”"He’s done it really well and Jason said he jumped great apart from the last. Everything he does he does very well.”

“He travelled like the best horse in the Cheltenham bumper last year, but he didn’t quite get home.”"He’s grown and changed a lot over the summer – he’s very exciting.

That will be it for him before Cheltenham.”McCain is just one of many trainers assessing their options ahead of Cheltenham of course with everyone looking to get things bang on the money.With the sheer amount of effort that goes into this in mind, the news that Spirit Son has suffered an injury setback is very disappointing for all concerned.

Expected to be a major force at Cheltenham, the highly rated hurdler hasn’t been in action since April last year and the comeback looks set to be delayed once again.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “The picture is grey. If you are going to miss two weeks at this point of the game, you are really out of the ball park.”"We had a hiccup with him earlier on (in the season) which cost me three weeks, but this was a new problem.”"I’d rather start next season with a horse in one piece than risk him and lose him for this season and next.

“There will of course be many other horses on display at Cheltenham, but the loss of the extremely talented Spirit Son is a major one.

The build-up to the 2012 Cheltenham Festival is well and truly underway. It is an event everyone looks forward to with interest and before racing punters know it, it will be time for the greatest event in the horse racing calendar.

Kicking things off in the 2012 event, acting as the curtain raiser for the whole festival on Champion Day is the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. The Grand 1 National Hunt race opens the festival and is traditionally greeted by the ‘Cheltenham Roar’, a sign of the excitement at this point of the year.

Looking more specifically at the type of race this is, it covers around 2 miles and 110 yards and has a total of eight hurdles. It is a significant race for everyone in racing and as it opens the Cheltenham Festival, one of the most tense.

Looking at the betting markets for the 2012 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, last year’s winner Al Ferof is not expected to run, so there is an opportunity for a new winner in this extremely competitive race.

The favourite is Steps to Freedom at 9/1. The 5-year-old has been in excellent form in 2011 and big things are expected at Cheltenham. As already mentioned though, this is set to be a very open race and the winner could come from anywhere.

The most likely contenders are Waaheb (10/1), Prospect Wells (12/1), Sous Les Cieux (14/1) and Galileos Choice (16/1). However, a horse like All The Aces – available at 20/1 – cannot be ruled out.

This is a fast and furious race and anything can happen. It is an explosive way to start the four days of racing and always gets the punters in the mood for more.

The 2012 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is set to get underway at 1.30pm on Tuesday 13th March 2012.

The Supreme Novice’s Hurdle opens the Cheltenham Festival each year and is one of the best races to watch with a prize pot of over £100,000.

The current favourite to win the first race at the world famous event is a horse called Cue Card at 5/2 across the market. Cue Card has only run a handful of times so far but has already notched up a series of impressive wins over the two mile distance.

Zaidpour is the second favourite and there is not much difference between the records of the two horses. Cue Card likes to run from further back in the field and has a very strong finish but Zaidpour likes to chase with the leaders and is 8/1 in most places to win.

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The next horse in the cue is Hidden Universe, which has also shown an ability to win well over two miles and hurdles. However, there has been a little inconsistency in the way the horse has run but 12/1 with Totesport and Boylesports means the horse is definitely worth backing each way.

Moving down the field the prices get longer but there are still some quality horses left in this race. Backspin is bound to get some attention for having a high winning percentage rate. The horse is 14/1 at the moment but that will drop over the weeks leading up to the festival. Backspin is worth backing to win or to place.

Some punters like a rank outsider to come through and upset the horses that are dominating a particular field. Outside horses have longer odds and more value. Sweet Irony is a horse that could do well in this race and at 33/1 with Stan James, the horse is worth an each way bet at the very least.

It will certainly take a huge shot of bravery to take on the mighty Dunguib, a red hot favourite at 4/6.

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However if you are keen to oppose the market leader there is definitely some value available. One of the potential threats to Dunguib is Phillip Hobbs’s Menorah. He was touched off in a falsely run race at Ascot last time but his previous form suggests he will be right up there. He is a 12/1 chance now and generally 10/1 elsewhere.

Get Me Out Of Here was very, very impressive when hauling in Ronaldo Des Mottes to land the Totesport Trophy at Newbury and that has put him well in contention for the Festival. His fast, staying on finish in that race suggests that a frenetic Supreme Novice could play right into his hands – he is 8/1.

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Second race of day one is the Arkle Challenge Trophy and it looks like the hottest renewal in quite some time.

A whole host of horses hold major chances in this race but the value at the moment is with Riverside Theatre. Two from two so far over fences, Nicky Henderson’s charge is 10/1 when generally 8/1 or 9/1 elsewhere.

The talked up Somersby, trained by Festival expert Henrietta Knight, is 6/1. He has only had the one run to date this season but he is of the equine breed that goes best when fresh, unlike the majority of horses who have been scrambling for prep runs to get fit.

Despite the outstanding quality and competition in the days opening races, all eyes will be on the feature of the card, the Champion Hurdle.

Like 2009 it is an open betting heat and a well priced winner is far from out of the question.

Alan King’s Medermitcould well be the fastest improving horse in training at the moment. He will have to step up another level to win this elite race, but many believe he can. He is 8/1 in most places now, a quarter of the odds he was a couple of months ago. We’re still offering 9/1 however about the grey’s chances.

Starluck is up near the head of the form and the 5 year-old is a massive each way price at 16/1. Zaynar’s flop at Kelso has doubled his odds to 8/1, whilst the favourite, the genuine and speedy Solwhit is 7/2 (3/1 with most firms).

Philip Fenton’s seven-year-old will be attempting to emulate the exploits of Montelado, the last horse to win the Champion Bumper at the meeting and follow up in the Supreme 12 months later.

O’Connell was in the saddle for his ultra-impressive bumper success last year when he was still an amateur, but turned professional before Dunguib ran in the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in December.

Dunguib will face 17 rivals in the Festival opener, with the most notable withdrawals at the declaration stage being Bellvano, Peddlers Cross and Rite Of Passage, with all three having other options.

With Dunguib such a short price at the head of affairs, there are some fancy prices flying about for some highly-regarded youngsters, with Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten Oscar Whisky (8/1) falling into that bracket.

Get Me Out Of Here (9/2) is the biggest danger to Dunguib in the eyes of many a good judge, being unbeaten in four starts over hurdles and looking very classy in beating seasoned handicappers in the totesport Trophy at Newbury.

His trainer Jonjo O’Neill said: “The ground is lovely and there will no excuses on that front. It is good safe ground and I am looking forward to getting going,” he added.

The top two mile novice hurdlers can be seen opening the Cheltenham festival in the Supreme Novice Hurdle. Irish trainers have won seven of the last ten runnings and again, look to have a great chance of winning the two mile event. Past winners who went on to bigger and better things include Hors La Loi III, Like-A-Butterfly and Brave Inca.

Every year there is much talk of a Cheltenham ‘banker’ and high on the list is this year’s favourite, Dunguib, last years very impressive Cheltenham and Punchestown bumpers winner. Philip Fenton’s son of Presenting has gone unbeaten over the smaller obstacles this season, winning every race hard held. In doing so, his price to win the race has tumbled to around 4-6 with Bluesq

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Much has been made of Dunguib’s jumping and many have said he’s a poor jumper. To those people, I laugh at you. After much studying of his races, Dunguib jumps just fine! People forget that he is a novice; he is allowed and in away, supposed to make mistakes. If you really wanted to be picky, you could say he jumped much better going right-handed. His victories at Galway, Punchestown and Fairyhouse showed this, as he jumped much better at the above tracks then he did at Leopardstown. Furthermore, all four races were run at a good clip. Come Cheltenham, I’d have no worries about Dunguib’s jumping.

A slight worry would be his inexperienced rider but in fairness, he knows the horse better then anybody at this stage. Dunguib’s jumping may be rivalled by some of his other competitors but what is unrivalled is his engine. I really can’t see Dunguib being beat! At 4-6, he is no price though.

Second favourite to Dunguib is Jonjo O’Neil’s impressive Totesport Hurdle winner, Get Me Out Of Here (8-1 with Stan James) The son of Accordion has been progressing all year and won the Totesport in very taking fashion. The time of that race was very good and he did beat a decent field. He made quite a bad mistake at the last but picked up well and quickened away nicely.

He looks a very progressive animal and could be anything in time to come. However I’m not sure about backing him at Cheltenham; he had quite a set back after his last race, gashing his leg badly at Newbury. He has been on the easy list since and is still not back in work. Not the best preparation for a highly competitive race is it? Expect a big run though; I just think there are others who offer better value and who have had a better preparation.

Joint third favourite is the Philip Hobb’s trained Menorah at 12-1. The son of King’s Theatre has blown hot and cold this year, winning impressively at Kempton before being turned over at a short price last Saturday. In doing so, he drifted from 8’s out to 12-1 with Ladbrokes. I think it was a harsh/stupid reaction by the bookmakers as the race was a bit of a farce. Menorah had to make his own running for the majority of the race, something that wouldn’t have suited.

Also, Richard Johnson didn’t cover himself in glory, giving the horse a bad ride. The race at Cheltenham should be run to suit. Looking at his pedigree, a good strong pace will be welcomed. There’s plenty of stamina on the dams side, as she is related to a thorough stayer in Jet Boys. Furthermore, Menorah being a son of King’s Theatre, should get conditions to suit at Cheltenham. Most of King’s Theatre’s progeny do like quick ground, which Menorah should get come March 16th.

Vying with Menorah at 12-1 is the Nicky Henderson trained Oscar Whisky. The son of Oscar has a similar profile to Get Me Out Of Here, as he’s been progressing all year. In total, he’s won all four of his starts, winning two hurdles and two bumpers. Over hurdles, he hasn’t beat much but he couldn’t have won any easier in his two starts. His bumper form looks rock solid though. In his second Newbury bumper, he gave seven pounds to all but one of his rivals and won very nicely, travelling very sweetly throughout. Oscar Whisky looks a live contender to Dunguib and is a great each-way bet.

Of the rest, I can’t really see much else getting into the race but Willie Mullins may have a dark horse in Blackstairmountain. He’s from a very decent flat staying family and it’s often the case that good flat breed horses do well in this race. He made a nice introduction to hurdling three weeks ago but I’d be worried about his lack of experience. On the plus side, with Paul Nicholls not having a strong hand in the race, Ruby could take the ride on the son of Imperial Ballet.

Overall it’s very hard to get away from Dunguib but at 4-6 he is no price. Blackstairmountain hasn’t got enough experience for me, so I’m willing to pass him over. At 8-1 Get Me Out Of Here is no real value especially with his less then ideal preparation. Of the remaining two, I really couldn’t put you off Menorah or Oscar Whisky. I think the two of them will run big races but with Nicky Henderson training the later and having a form line through Menorah (with Lush Life), I’m going to put forward Oscar Whisky as an each-way selection. I still see Dunguib winning the opening race of the festival though.

Dunguib Odds

He sat well off the pace when they teamed up to win the Bumper here last year, but surely a repeat of such exaggerated waiting tactics will be suicidal, especially with question marks surrounding his mount’s jumping.

The race always attracts a large field, and apart from 2006, when Noland flew from the clouds in a fast run affair, it has definitely paid dividends to be handy, and last year the first two home – Go Native and Medermit – both made their moves simultaneously at the third last.

Remember that if you are with the speedier types and the race is run on conditions described as ‘good to soft’ or worse, then it may blunt their finishing kick preventing them from finding as much as expected. Plenty of ex-Flat racers have come there swinging off the bridle at the second last, only not to get home, and the climb from the last can seem like Mount Everest!

Here’s a look at some of the leading  advice if you arelooking to get involved in-running on Dunguib.

Philip Fenton’s superstar looks set to go off one of the shortest favourites ever for the SupremeNovices’ and the weight of Irish money will be on the shoulders of this outstanding seven-yearold. He has barely been off the bridle in his career, but his jumping wasn’t great last time and that appears to be the only chink in his armour. In-running punters will have their eyes fixed on this fellow throughout the race and if he smashes a couple of early hurdles, he looks sure to trade odds against.

It also seems more than likely that Brian O’Connell will again adopt patient tactics and switch Dunguib off at the back of the field.

That may be the time to step in, as the strong pace is likely to help his jumping as the race heats up and if he’s there or thereabouts coming down the hill he will trade incredibly short.

Given he is officially rated 150, that means he is already good enough to win this race as Go Native was given a mark of 147 when winning this race last season. Oscar Whisky won his final prep race at Sandown very comfortably to set himself for this race alongside the same stable’s Bellvano.

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However, Menorah, who was expected to do likewise in his final prep-race was beaten at Ascot by Lush Life who I doubt Henderson rates in his top half a dozen novice hurdlers.

I didn’t think it was a great ride from Richard Johnson as he was slow in realising he had a challenger on the run-in after he got the last flight wrong and lost his momentum. Menorah just races with the choke out a little too much for me and as far as winning a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is concerned.

The shorter of the pair is marginally the Totesport Trophy winner Get Me Out Of Here and the time of his win was certainly better than that posted by Bellvano on the same day but he also has the Neptune entry and I will be amazed if the McManus operation also don’t give him handicap hurdle entries and they will no doubt be watching the handicapper does very closely.

As for Bellvano, he clearly has class and speed but he didn’t convince me at all when he hit the front at Newbury as McCoy had to yank him back in or he could have ended up of the chase course so I can’t really have a horse like that on my mind for the Supreme.

No other contenders really emerged over the last seven days.

That awesome performance was probably enough to frighten a few more off rivals to the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle over 2m5f to ease his task further. Grey Soldier, who had previously chased home Rite Of Passage, also won at the weekend which increased his chances of travelling over but, other than that, it was a very quiet week on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle front.

It was supposed to be the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novices’ Hurdle at Punchestown on Monday that was going to give us some clues on whether there is anything to take Dunguib on with but Saludos and a desperately-disappointing Hollo Ladies, who had previously fought out a tight finish to the Grade 1 event at Leopardstown’s Christmas Meeting, were both turned over by at the tough Luska Lad who was only fourth in that same race.

Luska Lad’s trainer put the improvement down to returning to a right-handed track so therefore he all but virtually ruled out going to the Cheltenham Festival with him and his big aim will be back at Punchestown in the spring.

The most relevant action on the same card with regards to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was the victory of Willie Mullins’ Blackstairmountain in the maiden hurdle. Weak beforehand in the market, he cruised to an impressive victory on his hurdling debut and the stable have twice won the ‘Supreme’ before and arguably should have won it three times if Adamant Approach had not capsized at the final flight in 2002.

If we go back to last February, Blackstairmountain walloped Hollo Ladies to win his first bumper by 18 lengths but arguably of more interest is that he was then second to Universal Truth on his next run last March and that horse topped the market for this season’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper until his trainer hinted he would not run.

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In a year where we seemingly have few realistic challengers to the favourite, Blackstairmountain has finally added some much needed interest into the race.

General Miller looked to get outstayed over an extended 2m4f at Cheltenham on Saturday which suggests that if he is to go anywhere at the Festival, it should be in this race but I am not sure how strong that form is and would rate him not good enough wherever he goes which, in turns, means that Ghizao, who he beat at Cheltenham, also looks a notch below what is required.