WILLIE'S ALL SET FOR A BURN-UP

Paul Ferguson says Mullins’ star can reign Supreme

FERGIE'S FESTIVAL FOUR (One tip per day)

BALLYBURN (Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle) 

A dual-bumper winner, he was beaten on hurdles debut – when several from the Willie Mullins’ yard were needing their reappearance – and duly made amends when winning by 25 lengths (runner-up won next time) at Leopardstown over Christmas. Dropping in trip, he dished out a comprehensive beating to nine rivals in the Grade 1 Novices Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, which suggests that he could now be Supreme bound. A strong-staying type at the minimum trip, it will take a good one to pass him and even if Mullins opts to make a late switch, I would still expect him to be tough to beat in the 2m5f Baring Bingham on day two. It is worth noting that four of the past 11 winners of the Supreme were trained by Mullins and all four won the same race en route to Festival success - Sir Gerhard also won it before stepping up in distance to win at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival).

EMBASSY GARDENS (Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase / National Hunt Chase)