Mydaddypaddy is the strong 5-1 favorite for the Supreme Novice Hurdle following an impressive showing at Haydock. Trained by Dan Skelton, the horse set the early pace in the Cheltenham Festival opener and confidently defeated his only two rivals on Merseyside, despite starting as a 1-5 favorite.
During the race, Smoke Trail set a reasonable pace while the two chasing horses stayed behind. As Harry Skelton advanced on the outside of Cossack Du Daly, Mydaddypaddy surged ahead and jumped wide at the second last hurdle, ultimately winning by seven lengths. Trainer Dan Skelton expressed satisfaction with the horse’s performance, noting that the race offered valuable experience, especially in terms of jumping.
The trainer remarked on the horse’s speed, agility, and authority in the final stages, emphasizing that while talent is essential for a promising novice, mastering the hurdles is crucial too. Dan Skelton also mentioned that the horse’s participation was justified despite some challenges, and Harry Skelton gave the horse a clear path to perform well.
Looking ahead, the plan is to see how Mydaddypaddy develops over the year before targeting the Formby race, now held at Aintree over Christmas. Skelton prefers this approach to racing at home, aiming to save the horse’s best efforts for competitive meets.
The trainer also highlighted the quality of Mydaddypaddy’s dam, Fat Fat Fat, whose offspring have shown strong potential, including Dillian, rated 100 on the flat, and Tralee Girl, a recent Listed race runner-up. Owner Dermot Hanafin has prior success with a Supreme winner, and Skelton feels confident about Mydaddypaddy’s progression, noting the horse is faster this year and likely better suited to a two-mile distance.
Fan Take: This update on Mydaddypaddy is exciting for horse racing enthusiasts because it showcases a rising star with both speed and skill, essential traits for a top-tier hurdler. If Mydaddypaddy continues to develop as expected, he could become a defining competitor in future festivals, adding fresh excitement and competition to the sport.
