Supreme fav starts hurdles career at Kempton West Wizard, the favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, makes his eagerly anticipated hurdling debut at Kempton this afternoon. The Nicky Henderson trained four-year-old son of King’s Theatre goes in the opener at 12:30, the Openwork Foundation British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle, and he will be ridden by Barry Geraghty. Owned by Dai Walters (also owns Oscar Whisky), the bay gelding won a bumper in impressive fashion on his sole start, over the course and distance in March. Held in the highest regard by connections, it is interesting that Henderson has pitched him in this contest, as he won it in 2010 with subsequent Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth, and 2011 with the high-class Darlan, who was of course unfortunately put down after a fall at Doncaster in February. A general 8/1 chance for the Cheltenham Grade 1 in March, West Wizard opened at 1/4 for this assignment with Paddy Power, but is now as short as 1/6. Sgt Reckless, who was well fancied for the bumper at Cheltenham last March, looks the biggest danger, while Hawaii Five Nil, who won a bumper for Eoin Doyle at Clonmel, is another threat with Tony McCoy in the saddle.
