Rich Ricci still hopes for Sky Bet Supreme contender as he goes for fourth win

We speak to Rich and Susannah Ricci's racing manager, Joe Chambers, about unearthing a Sky Bet Supreme horse and more.

The Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle has been a happy hunting ground for owners Susannah & Rich Ricci in recent years.

Champagne Fever, Vautour and Douvan carried their silks to successive victories between 2013 and 2015 and last year Min went off a warm favourite before finishing second to Altior.

So what of 2017? We spoke to the Ricci's racing manager Joe Chambers about their prospects for the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival.

"There's no Douvan or Vautour lurking this year, or at least we don't think there is at this stage," he said.

"To be fair we have a good few three and four-year-olds for next year - we'll be stronger in the novice hurdling department then when they're four or five but we could still have runners this year.

"Of those that have run Senewalk was disappointing at Punchestown last month but we've had his wind tweaked since. He was something of a hype horse before setting a foot on a racetrack here and we haven't decided yet whether to crack on with him or lay off and retain his novice status for next season.

"Riven Light, a Raven's Pass gelding, won at Thurles on his first start for us and did it quite well. We don't know what he beat but I'd imagine we'll find out more about him over Christmas.

"He has entries in a Grade One at Leopardstown on the 27th and is also in a Listed race for four-year-olds at Limerick. We have a few in there though and we'll look and decide who goes where, there is still plenty of time to decide. He needs to kick on from winning a maiden but is a nice prospect."

There are two horses ready to reappear who could yet force their way up the pecking order and book a place at Cheltenham too.

"Bravissimo was third at Pau on his only start back in 2014 we've had him a while now and he goes well enough at home. He should be out in a maiden hurdle over Christmas over two or two-and-a-half miles as we don't know what his trip is yet," Chambers continued.

"It's a similar thing with a horse called Montalbano, who I'd like to think may be up to Graded class. He has a very different profile being by Monsieur Bond and had 13 runs on the Flat in France. He ended up with a rating in the 90s.

"He's only had one run over hurdles, finishing second in a Listed race at Auteuil back in March. He goes quite nicely at home and we'll look for a maiden hurdle for him. Conditions of these races can vary but he's in at Limerick and Leopardstown on the 28th and we'll find one that suits.

"There's been no huge hurry with this horse, he's had a lot of racing and a run over hurdles. We'll see how he, Riven Light and Bravissimo run over Christmas. Hopefully one of them will show themselves to be good enough to be thinking about Cheltenham."

It promises to be a busy week for the Ricci team.

The aforementioned Min heads to Leopardstown for the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown and a clash with Identity Thief.  "The betting suggests it's a two horse race and I guess we will know where we stand after Monday, we think he is a better horse this year but he has 5lb and racing experience to find with Identity Thief on hurdle ratings."

On the 27th all eyes are on the peerless Douvan in the Paddy Power Cashcard Chase.

24 hours later and it's Djakadam's turn to take centre stage as he looks to add to his Grade One tally in the Lexus Chase.  He could be joined that day by Vroum Vroum Mag in the G1 3m hurdle.  "They are both in good form, obviously, Mag has plenty options and where she goes will depend to some extent on how others go over the coming days, whereas Djakadam could well take his place in what looks like an ultra-competitive Lexus Chase."

With a host of other runners at the other end of their development too it's an exciting time for all involved.

It will be even more so if one of the young hurdlers emerges from the festive season with a Sky Bet Supreme tilt a more realistic prospect.