DERMOT Weld believes Silver Concorde is capable of making his presence felt in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Winner of the Champion Bumper in 2014, the eight-year-old returned to Prestbury Park to finish fourth in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle last March.
He remains a maiden after three starts over timber, having found Supasundae too strong at Leopardstown over Christmas, but Weld expects his charge to raise his game significantly provided a sound surface prevails on the opening day of the Festival.
“He’s coming along nicely and you must always remember he wants real good ground. As we all know, he’s a top of the ground horse,” said Weld.
“He was over at Punchestown last Friday and got on very well. He schooled there and we were very satisfied with him.”
Weld may also saddle Sunday’s Naas scorer Vigil in either the Supreme or the Neptune, while he is bullish about the chances of his Champion Bumper contender First Figaro.
The six-year-old has managed just one win from four starts in National Hunt Flat races, but has filled the runner-up spot on his other appearances.
“If he gets nice ground, he will run well.”
