FIRE'S READY TO BURN THE HOT-POT

Ben Morgan is backing Gordon Elliott's charge to beat Ballyburn again

The market for this year’s Supreme Novices Hurdle was blown apart by Ballyburn’s victory at the DRF (Dublin Racing Festival) and he is now best priced 13/8 for the curtain raiser. The talk beforehand of him being one of, if not the best Mullins novice elevated his reputation but a defeat on his return this season left many suspect of what talent this horse had. Any doubts that were hanging over his head, he answered in no uncertain terms as he was not only visually impressive but he made one or two clockwatchers go pale as he clocked a faster time than State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle on the same course.

I’m not putting him up as the selection as the price is too skinny for me and there are plenty of shorties coming up in the next few pages so I’m keen to look for some value and I think I have found some in the shape of FIREFOX. Gordon Elliott’s horse was the horse who beat Ballyburn on seasonal reappearance, which seems to be forgotten, and with that in mind it is quite crazy to think I can back him at 12/1 to beat him again. He has disappointed since over 2m 4f where he had excuses but I think he will be much better suited to this 2m trip as he possesses plenty of toe. His bumper form stacks up and I saw enough in his hurdling debut to suggest he has the ability to win a Supreme which isn’t all that deep this year. Elliott has been nothing but complimentary about him and I quite like the fact he sends him straight here after his below par effort rather than try and get a confidence booster into him.