Jonathan Burke will return from injury in time to try for a first Cheltenham success, and the 19-year-old jockey reckons Supasundae is his best chance of accomplishing that in the very first race of the upcoming festival.
The Henry De Bromhead-trained star has not been seen since breaking his maiden in impressive fashion at Leopardstown over Christmas, and is currently a 20-1 shot in the betting for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle.
However, Burke, who injured vertebrae in a fall at Thurles last month, nominated the former smart bumper performer as his “best ride of the week”.
Very versatile
He said: “Supasundae’s very versatile with ground. He handles heavy well, but I think better going will bring out the best in him.”
Burke could return to action this weekend depending on the outcome of a consultation he has with a specialist before that.
“I go back to the specialist on Tuesday, and I’d be looking at maybe a week from there,” he said.
“I’d be looking at the weekend and if not the weekend maybe the following Thursday,” said the Cork rider who has felt the benefit of a recent break in Dubai.
“All the lads in the weighing room were saying the heat would work wonders and it definitely has.
“I’m feeling great, I have no pain at all and I’ve started swimming.”
In other Supreme news, Gordon Elliott indicated his smart novice Tombstone will take his chance in the two-mile contest after his second to Bleu Et Rouge in the Deloitte at Leopardstown earlier this month.
