Nigel Twiston-Davies has confirmed that Ballyandy is heading for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The highly-rated six-year-old had options in the Neptune, County Hurdle and Coral Cup, but he will be lining up in the Supreme – where he is already rated second favourite behind Melon.

Twiston-Davies said: “We think we have just about totally decided to go for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He cantered to the last in the Betfair and quickened away nicely.

“We always thought a lot of him and we can’t understand why he didn’t do better in his first three races, but he managed to handicap himself last time so let’s go on to better things now.

“We checked his wind and everything after those first three runs and nothing was amiss, maybe just in time he has got better and better.

“He has got plenty of speed. He won there this time last year, although it was over two miles with no hurdles. We are really looking forward to it.”

Foxtail Hill fancy

Whilst Twiston-Davies is a big fancy, and he also has the likes of The New One and Bristol De Mai heading to Prestbury Park – his feels his best chance at the festival is Foxtail Hill in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase.

“I think Foxtail Hill is probably our best chance. It is just the way the race turns out, as there is only three or four pounds between the lot of them. He is nearly a JLT horse, but why go for that when you have got a lower-class race.

“He was very impressive there last time and he managed to stay inside the rating band of 0-140.

“He was good last time and I’m very hopeful. I don’t think he needs to be ridden as aggressively as he was last time. He is quite keen, but you can ride him any way you want.”