Hall backing Old Park to Star in Supreme test

It has been a season to remember for Gordon and Su Hall – and now the moment Old Park Star puts his unbeaten hurdling record to the test in the Skybet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is nearly here.

Arriving at Seven Barrows in the summer with bumper experience but no win to his name, few would have imagined that only four months after his hurdling debut at Kempton he would be leading the British charge in the traditional curtain-raiser at the Cheltenham Festival.

But having exceeded the expectations of both Nicky Henderson and the Halls with three tremendous displays over obstacles, there is now pressure as well as much excitement ahead of the six-year-old lining up in the Cotswolds.

“It’s a nice feeling, but it gets to you a bit and there are some nerves and it does feel a lot of pressure,” explained Gordon Hall on the emotions of owning the week’s first favourite.

“Old Park Star is a lovely youngster and we’re very lucky to have him. He ran in a bumper or two last season and it was probably not the ideal conditions for him, but he has surprised us this year, we can’t deny that.

“It’s the race on the day that matters and we’re going into it having put up three really good runs. He’s going to have to take on some good horses coming over from Ireland and I guess now we have to let the horse do the talking.”

It is not just Old Park Star the Halls have to look forward to, with Sidney Banks scorer Act Of Innocence also set to wear their green and blue silks in Wednesday’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle.

Like the race favourite No Drama This End, Act Of Innocence was trained by Paul Nicholls last season before switching to Henderson, and the opener on day two promises to be an intriguing clash.

“Act Of Innocence seemed to thrive for the step up in trip at Huntingdon and with our fingers crossed, we’ve got two horses with great chances,” Hall told the Press Association.

“The Turners will be interesting and No Drama This End is a nice horse with a lot of ability and we just have to see if we can give him a good race.

“We’ve had a great run to get to Cheltenham, now we’ve got to see if they can continue in the same form and I think they can.”

Victory for either Old Park Star or Act Of Innocence will represent a first Festival success for a team who went close with Ginny’s Destiny at the meeting in 2024.

“Ginny’s Destiny whetted the appetite and we love the game. It can be hard at times, but we love it,” added Hall.

“The build up has been different to previous as you are seeing your horse’s photographs everywhere and in the press and commenting about them.

“It’s nice in a way, but you just hope everything goes to plan on the day and they come home OK and it would be lovely if they won.”