Dessie Hughes trainer of Minsk© Photo Healy Racing
Minsk bids to consolidate his place at the head of the betting for the Triumph Hurdle when he makes his eagerly-awaited debut in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.
The Dessie Hughes-trained gelding is ante-post favourite with most bookmakers for the four-year-old championship at Cheltenham at around 6-1 before he has jumped a hurdle in public.
However, a combination of his Flat form and reports of his excellent schooling at home has earned Minsk such strong support ahead of his first run over timber.
He won his last three starts for trainer John Oxx, culminating in the Irish Cesarewitch where he romped home by five and a half lengths.
Owner Barry Connell sent Minsk to Hughes to be trained for a hurdling campaign, with the Triumph the prime target.
Hughes is looking forward to getting Minsk on the track after giving him a well-earned break following his Flat campaign.
"He won on summer soft ground in the Cesarewitch at the Curragh. This will be a different cup of tea altogether but hopefully he'll handle it. Everything's 100%, said the Curragh handler.
"I don't think I've had all this talk about one horse, certainly before he's run. Maybe possibly Hardy Eustace at one stage.
"I don't mind the pressure too much - we're used to it - and I'm lucky to have him.
"He is very smart and his work is very smart. At home he jumps very well. They go quicker when they're racing, so we'll see.
"It's a decent race, so he'll have to be as good as we think he is to be up there.
"There are similar horses running in England with a similar Flat profile as him.
"He was so impressive in the Irish Cesarewitch that it just took everyone's eye. I didn't want to bring him out any earlier really. This is time enough.
"When they have been in training all year as three-year-olds they need a bit of a break in between that and going jumping if they are going to last to Punchestown."
Among Minsk's nine rivals is Discoteca who has shown promise in two runs over hurdles though he has yet to get off the mark.
But his trainer Gordon Elliott is concerned the ground will be too soft for him.
"He's a nice horse but the ground will be a worry," said the Co Meath handler.
"We'll know a lot more about the Triumph Hurdle after Saturday."
