The Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite is back in action at Haydock on Wednesday - here's all you need to know, plus Graeme Rodway's view

The hugely exciting Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Mydaddypaddy is back in action at Haydock on Wednesday (12.08), here's all you need to know ahead of his return – including how he ranks against previous Supreme winners . . .

What has he achieved?

Interestingly, Mydaddypaddy did not have any experience before running in a Huntingdon bumper in March. 

He was bred by his owner, Dermot Hanafin, out of smart eight-time winner Debdebdeb. She has already produced the twice Listed-placed filly Tralee Girl, who is also trained by Dan Skelton. 

Mydaddypaddy has clearly always been highly thought of as he was sent off the 15-8 favourite for his debut and thoroughly trounced his rivals, travelling strongly and powering away from Lirion to score by 11 lengths.

It was a similar story on his hurdles debut at Carlisle last month, when he was only nudged out to score by four and a half lengths from Harbour Island. That horse was well beaten in a maiden hurdle at Newbury on Friday, but the third Atlantic Lad has won since.

How does he match up against previous Supreme winners?

Measured against the last ten Supreme Novices' Hurdle winners, Mydaddypaddy clocked a decent Racing Post Rating on his hurdles debut.

In earning a rating of 128, he is well up to scratch and surpassed the achievements of Summerville Boy (120), Slade Steel (124), Marine Nationale (125) and Labaik (126) on their first starts over hurdles.

However, he is a significant way behind some of the more recent top-notchers like Altior (136), Appreciate It (140), Kopek Des Bordes (140), Shishkin (141), Douvan (143) and the magnificent Constitution Hill (150). 

Key quotes

Trainer Dan Skelton after winning at Carlisle

"Mydaddypaddy is only as fit as all my novices are. I did explain to Dermot [Hanafin, owner] that he may take a blow and if he got beat, then he got beat, but it was class that got him through in the end. There was a bit of pressure because you want to go and see a nice clear round, but, with the support of the owners, we build into the season rather than set the fireworks off early, with the novices especially, which is a very helpful position to be in."

Mydaddypaddy: made favourite for the Supreme after his Carlisle debutCredit: Andrew Parker

Trainer Dan Skelton before lining up at Haydock

"It's only a small field but he's in good form and I'm happy with him. He's come out of his last race well. I don't have any plans for him after this, we just want to get him through the race."

Expert view

It's absolutely impossible to know how good he is at this stage. He's won both starts without turning a hair and flew up the hill at Carlisle last time. That is one of the steepest finishes in Britain and Mydaddypaddy made short work of it on the bridle.

The time was okay without being out of this world, but the finishing speed was good and the sky is the limit. However, as a punter, price is everything and he has done nothing to suggest that he should be as short as he is for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. 

How many times has Dan Skelton won that race? None is the answer. So with that in mind he simply doesn't make any appeal as a betting proposition, but I'm as excited as anyone to see him again and I hope he does go on to fulfil his immense promise.
Graeme Rodway, tipster

• WATCH: Johnny Dineen has his say on Supreme favourite Mydaddypaddy

How is the Supreme market shaping up?

Mydaddypaddy heads the betting at a general 7-1. 

The market is dominated by Willie Mullins thereafter, with the Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever next best at 12-1. She has yet to be seen over hurdles but holds an entry in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on December 27.

Bambino Fever: Champion Bumper winner is prominent in the Supreme bettingCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Her stablemate Fou De Toi is a 16-1 chance. The intriguing four-year-old gelding finished third on his only French start at Auteuil in May 2024 and was subsequently purchased by Joe and Marie Donnelly, but has yet to be seen on Irish shores.

Love Me Tender is the same price with most bookmakers and comes from a different background. A Tramore bumper winner, he made a deeply impressive start to hurdling at Kilbeggan in July and added a Grade 3 event at Tipperary in October with the minimum of fuss.

Another notable Mullins possible is Le Divin Enfant, who made an emphatic Irish debut at Thurles last month.

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 10)
Sky Bet: 7 Mydaddypaddy 12 Bambino Fever, 16 Fou De Toi, Le Divin Enfant, Sober Glory, 20 Love Me Tender, El Cairos, 25 Jeroboam Machin, Kanzler, Doctor Du Mesnil, Act Of Innocence, Davy Crockett, Windbeneathmywings, Lord Des Bordes, 33 bar.

Read more:

Mydaddypaddy 7-1 clear favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after dazzling on hurdles debut 

A Cheltenham Festival favourite, a King George hero and an exciting novice chaser - who could be running in Ireland this weekend? 

Can Jonbon bag a Tingle Creek hat-trick? Assessing the key contenders for Sandown's Saturday feature - plus Harry Wilson's advised play 

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