JP McManus ace Mystical Power new Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite after sprinting clear in Moscow Flyer

Mystical Power surged to the head of the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle market after an impressive display in the same sponsor's Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday. 

Sky Bet cut the son of Galileo and the great Annie Power to 9-2 joint-favourite (from 14-1) for the Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser after he showed a telling turn of foot to beat Jigoro by seven lengths.

Trainer Willie Mullins' decision to come to Punchestown instead of the rescheduled Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle two days earlier is probably not insignificant as he has won this Grade 2 with subsequent Cheltenham Festival novice hurdle winners Mikael D'Haguenet, Vautour, Douvan and Impaire Et Passe. 

Held up early on, Mystical Power's jumping at times was not much better than when he was last seen at the Galway festival in July, and he showed a bit of inexperience too, but when Mark Walsh asked him to go between horses off the home bend, he quickened and then picked up again once past his main rival Jigoro. The winning margin did not do full justice to his superiority over Jigaro, who in turn pulled 17 lengths clear of James's Gate and Lombron.

It rounded off an excellent half-hour for Mystical Power's owner JP McManus, who also won the Grade 3 novice chase with Spillane's Tower. 

Mystical Power with Mark Walsh after his victory in the Moscow FlyerCredit: Patrick McCann

McManus's racing manager Frank Berry said: “They didn't go mad early on but Mystical Power quickened up well and hopefully he'll have learned a bit jumping-wise. 

"You couldn't but be pleased with that. We'd have been a bit worried coming here about the ground, after running at Ballinrobe and Galway last spring and summer, but he coped with it well, and he's able to quicken. The small field suited in terms of getting him settled.”

Assistant trainer David Casey said: “I was very impressed. He wouldn't show that at home, so he seems to save his best for the track, which is a great trait. 

"He looks like he went through that soft ground very well. He had his couple of runs during the spring and summer and we gave him a break after that. Mark Walsh rode him a couple of weeks ago and thought he'd improved hugely since he rode him at Galway. He showed that today.”

He added: “At the moment it looks like we don't have to go beyond two miles. Mark said he rides a good deal quicker on the track than he does at home. I know the owner has another horse at the top of the Supreme market [Jeriko Du Reponet]. They might want to split them up, so we'll see, but until we have to I don't see him going beyond this trip. 

"He could possibly run at the Dublin Racing Festival. We'll get him home and make a decision about that.”

Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 12)
Sky Bet: 9-2 Jeriko Du Reponet, Mystical Power, 8 Ballyburn, 12 A Dream To Share, Caldwell Potter, Farren Glory, 16 bar

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