New Willie Mullins horse sees odds slashed for the Supreme after bolting up on debut on the back of 453-day lay-off

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WILLIE MULLINS looks to have another huge contender for a tricky Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – after Funiculi Funicula saw his odds slashed on the back of a debut win.

The five-year-old gelding hosed up by 17 lengths under Paul Townend at Clonmel in Ireland.

He travelled strongly throughout and left every other runner trailing in his wake.

The dominant rout came on the back of a huge 453-day lay-off and showed he has stacks of natural ability for Mullins.

Sent off 4-7 fav on his debut for the Irish handler, Funiculi Funicula made amends for Karma d’Airy’s grim defeat in the previous race.

Paddy Power pulled the mare from their Cheltenham Festival ante-post market after she was turned over at 1-2.

There were no such problems for Funiculi Funicula, though, who saw his odds cut from 33s to 16s for the Festival opener.

Townend told Racing TV afterwards: “He’s a nice horse and on the form of the race in France he was entitled to do that.

“What he had been showing us at home was nice.

“I thought we went a good gallop for the ground and we were spread out the length of Clonmel.

“You are probably going quicker than you feel on him. Everything is very natural and very easy to him.

“We like him a lot and hopefully he has a bright future.”

Mullins has the current market leader in the shape of Salvator Mundi, although not everyone is convinced of his credentials.

The Closutton boss also trains hopefuls Kopek Des Bordes and Kel Histoire, among others.