Supreme favourite Mengli Khan on the trail of second Grade 1 success for Elliott

Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m | 4yo+ | RTE2/ATR

Mengli Khan, unbeaten in three starts this season and highly regarded by trainer Gordon Elliott, will be seeking a second win at Grade 1 level following his smooth victory in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle this month.

Mengli Khan, who won by five and a half lengths at Fairyhouse, is general 6-1 favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at next year's Cheltenham Festival and Elliott, who is also represented by Hardline, said: "Mengli has done everything right this season. He won very well at Fairyhouse and has been in good form since and, while he has to go and do it again, we're very happy with him."

He added: "Hardline was third in the Royal Bond but was beaten a long way by Mengli Khan and we'll be happy if he can finish in the first three again."

Le Richebourg could finish only sixth behind Mengli Khan, beaten by 23 lengths, at Fairyhouse after winning his first three starts over hurdles, but trainer Joseph O'Brien is anticipating a better display this time.

O'Brien said: "Le Richebourg was coming back from a break in the Royal Bond. He's been in good form since and should have come on for the run."

The seven-runner line-up for a race that numbers Istabraq, Solerina, Jezki, Hurricane Fly and Sizing John among its past winners, include a quartet from Willie Mullins's yard.

'Doing everything right'

Paul Townend, who rides Real Steel, said: "I was very impressed when I won a maiden on him at Thurles. He's stepping up in class but he's been doing everything right at home and I'm really looking forward to riding him again."

Mullins is also represented by Sharjah, who is two from two over hurdles having twice won at Gowran Park. His challenge is completed by Makitorix, who won a Listowel maiden by 18 lengths in September before being pulled up after making a bad mistake in the Royal Bond, and Whiskey Sour, a Tramore maiden winner who has been off the track since twice scoring on the Flat at the Galway festival.

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