The best two-mile novice hurdlers come together for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, which serves as the traditional curtain raiser for the Cheltenham Festival.
As the starting tapes go up for this big race, it is always accompanied by the traditional ‘Cheltenham roar’.
One of the highlights of the Festival, it’s been won by some top-quality horses over the years, including Brave Inca, Douvan, and Altior.
Read on for the best Supreme Novices’ Hurdle odds, tips, and free bets.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday, March 12th - 1:30pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £75,964 |
| Distance: | Two-miles & half a furlong |
| Race Type: | Grade 1 Novice Hurdle |
| Age: | 4-Years+ |
| Course: | Old Course |
| Weights: | 10st 13lb (4yo), 11st 7lb (5yo+), 7lb allowance for fillies & mares |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Betting Offers & Free Bets
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Tips
A big betting heat to kick off the meeting, and of course, our resident Freebets horse racing tipsters have the action covered, including Ed Quigley, who has a huge 25/1 fancy in the opening race.
Ed Quigley - Tellherthename (Each-Way)
The defection of Ballyburn to the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle means this has a gloriously wide-open feel to it.
I am not sure there is a stand out contender from those at the head of the market, with Tullyhill and Mystical Power commanding plenty of respect, but both have question marks in the jumping department, especially in a race that will be run at a real lick.
Firefox was found to be lame after he disappointed in the Lawlor’s Of Naas last time out, but coming here fresh, he has to be taken seriously with the drop back down to the minimum trip looking ideal and he is the one towards the head of the market I like.
However, at much bigger odds, my long term antepost fancy TELLHERTHENAME is still the one I like for the red-hot Ben Pauling team. Providing the ground isn’t riding too deep, this is an individual with untapped potential and looks to have a live eah-way chance here.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Betting Odds
This year’s Supreme looks like a wide-open contest with Irish-trained horses dominating the top of the betting market.
Tullyhill and Mystical Power (the son of Annie Power) are vying for favouritism for trainer Willie Mullins, while the Gordon Elliott-trained Firefox and Henry de Bromhead’s Slade Steel have both been well supported in recent days.
Britain’s best chance of a winner in the 2024 Supreme could lie with Jeriko Du Reponet for trainer Nicky Henderson who is unbeaten in three career starts.
What Happened Last Year?
The Willie Mullins-trained Facile Vega was sent off the 9/4 favourite for the 2023 Supreme, but it was Irish compatriot Marine Nationale who won the race under a confident ride from Michael O’Sullivan.
Always travelling strongly, Marine Nationale took the lead jumping the last and ran on well up the Cheltenham hill to seal a comfortable victory.
And it was an Irish 1-2-3, with Diverge taking third place for Willie Mullins.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Key Race Stats
- 10 of the past 13 winners were amongst the top three in the betting
- 12 of the last 13 winners were aged 5 or 6
- Appreciate It bucked a poor winning trend for seven-year-olds in 2021
- 11 of the last 13 winners were rated 144 or higher
Previous Winners of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
We’ve listed the last five winners of the Supreme Novices’ in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Marine Nationale |
| 2022 | Constitution Hill |
| 2021 | Appreciate It |
| 2020 | Shishkin |
| 2019 | Klassical Dream |
FAQs
What distance is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle?
The Supreme Novice's Hurdle is ran over the minimum distance for a hurdles race, which is two miles.
When is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle?
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is the opening race of the four-day Cheltenham Festival. The 2024 race will take place on Tuesday 12th March.
What is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle Trial?
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle Trial is a trial race for the big one, taking place at the Cheltenham November Meeting.
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our predictions and tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 1 races:
