Somerset trainer David Pipe is hoping Torphichen can get his Festival off to the perfect start by taking top honours in the curtain-raising williamhill.com Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

The former Michael Jarvis inmate made an impressive hurdling debut at Ludlow in January and beat some smart individuals on his next outing at Sandown.

"Torphichen gets the four-year-old allowance and has obviously done nothing wrong in winning his two starts over hurdles, so he must have a big chance," said Pipe.

"He likes soft ground – I would think it will ride on the slow side anyway.

"We also run Leo's Lucky Star, who was a good horse on the Flat and hasn't done much wrong over hurdles.

"He's a good traveller and jumps well and while he would appreciate drier ground, he has a chance."

Willie Mullins would also like to see some overnight rain to aid the chances of ante-post favourite Cousin Vinny.

Last year's Champion Bumper winner has won two of his four starts since turning his attentions to hurdling.

"He won the Champion Bumper last year and while it will be a tough assignment, we are hoping for the best," said the County Carlow handler.

"Patrick (Mullins) has ridden him all season so I was happy enough to let him keep the ride as he gets on well with the horse – he has also ridden a winner at Cheltenham.

"We also run Kempes and if he continues to improve, he should be right there in the firing line.

"Cousin Vinny maybe didn't travel over quite as well as I might have expected, or had hoped."

The only other Irish challenger is the Noel Meade-trained Go Native.

The six-year-old was no match for Mullins' injured Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown over Christmas but created a favourable impression when winning a Grade Two at Naas last time.

Howard Johnson won the race in 2005 with Arcalis and goes there with a similar type in Red Moloney, unbeaten in three starts over timber.

"He's only run at Musselburgh so far and he is the only suitable horse I've got for the race," said Johnson.

"He's grand at the minute and he'd be the classiest Flat horse in the race, he's lovely."