Newbury entry Bellvano cut for Supreme Novices'

THE odds on Bellvano winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival tumbled on Wednesday as a number of punters attempted to pre-empt bookmakers' reaction to a possible winning hurdles debut by JP McManus's five-year-old.

The highly regarded two-time bumper winner, who has a choice of engagements at Newbury's Hennessy meeting on Friday and Saturday, has attracted support with a number of firms.

Bellvano was cut to 16-1 (from 25) by Totesport, Victor Chandler and William Hill, while Paddy Power make him that price on their first show.

Coral shortened the Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old, who also holds an entry at Newcastle on Saturday, to 14-1 (from 25).

Coral spokesman David Stephens said: "Bellvano has several entries this weekend, and if he does run, the ante-post support we've seen for the Supreme Novices' suggests he'll be fancied to go close on his hurdling debut."

Two former winners were cut for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury this weekend.

Denman, who carried top weight to victory in 2007, was clipped to 7-2 favourite (from 4-1) with Totesport, Paddy Power and William Hill after jockey Ruby Walsh's positive comments earlier in the day.

The each-way money also continued for 2006 winner State Of Play, who was cut to 14-1 (from 20) by Stan James and 16-1 (from 20) by Boylesports and Victor Chandler.