Al Ferof wins Supreme Novice

Ruby Walsh removed memories of a bleak winter when kicking off the Cheltenham Festival with a win on the Paul Nicholls trained Al Ferof (10-1) in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Walsh, who missed most of the season having fractured a leg in a fall at Down Royal last November, moved Al Ferof to challenge at the final flight, eventually heading Spirit Son (5-1) on the run in.

The latter's stablemate Sprinter Sacre (11-1) claimed third with hot favourite Cue Card having every chance but outpaced in the closing stages back in fourth.

Walsh said: "I went into the ring expecting Paul to tell me to ride him in the first three, but he said no, give him time to settle and come home and he was right.

"They went a good gallop, the ground was a bit dead and he picked up when I really needed him to. He jumped super.

"It's great to be back, a lot of people have helped me including my family."

Winning trainer Paul Nicholls said: "You need to stay in this race - Noland won it for us a few years ago. Cue Card beat him last year in the Bumper when we gave him weight.

"This is the first time I've ever had the horse right and it was a brilliant ride. It's great for Ruby.

"We've had a few get beat in the last fortnight and some people were questioning our form, but all I was concentrating on was getting the horses right for this week.

"If they all go like that we'll be laughing. To star like that takes the pressure off and it's amazing for Ruby to be able to do that. It's brilliant for him."