Any Jumps horse with Annie Power for a Mum and the late Galileo as their Dad is on something of a hiding to nothing. But Mystical Power is doing his best to live up to his impeccable pedigree and is the new favourite for the SkyBet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after retaining his unbeaten record with a fluent success in the SkyBet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
Supporters of the 5/4 favourite would have had a few anxious moments approaching two out with Mystical Power last of the four runners and jockey Mark Walsh briefly crouching lower in the saddle.
But once Walsh invited the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old to explore an inviting gap, he clicked through the gears and powered clear for a seven-length success over Jigoro, with James’s Gate another 17 lengths back in third.
It was a much more polished display than when he won on his hurdling debut at Galway in July, and gained against stronger opposition. The runner-up had previously impressed when beating a big field at Navan while the well-beaten third had been placed in the 2022 Champion Bumper and had shaped well when fourth to King Of Kingsfield at Leopardstown over Christmas.
SkyBet responded by making Mystical Power 9/2 favourite for the Supreme, at Cheltenham on March 12, which is half a point shorter than the McManus-owned ace Jeriko Du Reponet, trained by Nicky Henderson. Betfair cut the winner to to 5/1 from 14/1.
Annie Power’s amazing career, in which she won 15 of her 17 races, included a victory in the Champion Hurdle in 2016. She raced in the colours of Rich Ricci and Mystical Power is part-owned by him and his wide, Susan, even though he carries the silks of JP McManus. #horseracing #horse #horses
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