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The Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser has long been a stage for Willie Mullins to showcase his best novice hurdlers, with the Irish trainer boasting a record seven victories in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
However, despite his regular dominance at Prestbury Park, Mullins hasn’t won the Grade 1 contest since Appreciate It stormed to victory in 2021.
In 2025, the Closutton maestro looks set to launch another formidable assault on the opening race, with a team packed full of exciting talent.
But which of his potential contenders could give him an eight Supreme crown? Here’s a closer look at Mullins’ key names to watch.
Kopek Des Bordes – 4/5
The favourite if you’re looking for a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle bet, Kopek Des Bordes shot to the fore of the market after two notable wins on his first couple of starts over hurdles.
The five-year-old, who won a bumper at Fairyhouse in convincing fashion on his rules debut last March, opened his account over hurdles in a maiden at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.
It was his most recent outing that really caught the eye, though, as he romped home by 13 lengths from stablemate Karniquet in the Grade 1 Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Based on what we have seen thus far, his price might be too low for many, but he looks like a solid favourite.
Salvator Mundi – 5/1
Salvator Mundi was knocked off his perch as the ante-post favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme by Kopek Des Bordes and is now as long as 5/1 for the opening race, having once been as short as 5/2.
Nevertheless, there could be value to be had with this exciting five-year-old, who has shown stark improvement this campaign after finishing sixth in the Triumph Hurdle on his yard debut last year.
The Donnelly horse scored by 62 lengths at Tipperary on his next start in May and won the Grade 2 Sky Bet Club Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on his reappearance in January.
This is a big step up in class for Salvator Mundi, but he could prove he has what it takes to beat the likes of Kopek Des Bordes, who has already won at this level.
Funiculi Funicula – 12/1
Funiculi Funicula finished second on his hurdle debut in a three-year-old event at Auteuil in October 2023 before switching hands and joining Mullins the following month.
The five-year-old made an eye-catching debut for the trainer after 453 days off the track in January, scoring in a maiden at Clonmel by a commanding 17 lengths.
That saw him cut to 12/1 in the horse race betting, but It’s hard to know what to expect from the son of Storm The Stars in the Supreme, as he’s yet to be tested at this level.
Kiss Will – 12/1
Another horse we have seen just once for Mullins thus far, Kiss Will, was a narrow second in a bumper at Fontainebleau on his sole start in France before being sold for a sizeable €280,000.
He proved his potential on his hurdles debut at Fairyhouse when winning a maiden by 13 lengths, but, similarly to Funiculi Funicula, it will be a stern test to be thrown straight into the Supreme.
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Kappa Jy Pyke and Kel Histoire are both 16/1 shots, while Karbau and Karniquet are priced at 20/1 for Mullins.
