Irish star cut again for Supreme Novices' Hurdle after latest win

Dunguib looks set to go off as the shortest opening-race favourite at the Cheltenham Festival for many years after cruising to another victory at Leopardstown.

The seven-year-old, who powered to success in the bumper at Prestbury Park 12 months ago, won the Deloitte Novice Hurdle without ever being asked a serious question.

Ladbrokes are now offering a top-priced Evens for Philip Fenton's star to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on March 16.

"Dunguib rewarded punters once again with a jaw dropping performance as he effortlessly glided to victory in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle," said spokeswoman Hayley O'Connor.

"We're now offering him at even money for the Supreme Novices', which must be value after the calibre of performance we saw here."

Not since Golden Cygnet’s victory in 1978 has a favourite started odds-on for the Grade One Cheltenham opener, when Edward O’Grady’s ill-fated hurdler annihilated the field with a 15-length victory.

However, William Hill were even more impressed by Dunguib's latest performance in Ireland and have cut him to 4/5.

"Dunguib is surely the number one Cheltenham banker for punters after another commanding performance," said spokeswoman Kate Miller.

"His hurdling still lacks fluency at times, but his engine is unrivalled and whilst the comparisons with Golden Cygnet are flattering, they appear fully justified."