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13:20Supreme Novices' Hurdle
14:00Arkle Chase
14:40Ultima Handicap Chase
15:20Mares Hurdle
16:00Champion Hurdle
16:40Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
17:20National Hunt Chase
13:20Turner's Novices' Hurdle
14:00Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
14:40Coral Cup Hurdle
15:20Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
16:00Champion Chase
16:40Grand Annual Chase
17:20Champion Bumper
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
13:20 Cheltenham Festival
2025-03-11
Winner: £84,405
Runners: 11
Going: Good To Soft
No. of hurdles: 8
Distance: 2m0f87y
The Skybet Supreme Novices' Hurdle is the first race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is the premier race during the jumps season for the speedier novice hurdlers as it is run over the minimum trip of 2m. As a result the Grade 1 presents a fierce test of accurate jumping at speed. It has been won by some of the most promising horses in recent history, including Altior, Vautour and Douvan, who all went on to win multiple Grade 1 races.
NO.DRAW
FORM
FORM
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2(0)
31/3-1
Irancy
-
J: Mark Walsh
T: W P Mullins
7
11-7
-
142
Very lightly raced 7yo; won French bumper on soft ground in 2021; strong promise over hurdles for Willie Mullins, finishing third behind highly notable rivals at Fairyhouse in late 2023 then making all for an impressive win at Punchestown (1m7f, good) four months ago; potentially smart.
12(0)
31
Workahead
-
J: Rachael Blackmore
T: Henry De Bromhead
7
11-7
-
154
Represents last year's winning stable and is a promising sort who comes here fresh, having been absent since his Christmas performance at Leopardstown (2m, yielding; second rules attempt) where he made all to beat William Munny by 7l in a maiden hurdle and added to his point win; seems set for a tighter encounter with that opponent, who took a big step forward last month, but brings lots of potential and good credentials; one for the shortlist.
6(0)
2-5121
Romeo Coolio
-
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-7
148
156
Fresh contender, having been absent since his Christmas success in Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown (2m, yielding; driven clear) when taking hurdles record to 2-3; good second in last year's Champion Bumper (soft) and holds solid claims returned to the Cheltenham Festival.
NR(0)
2-2111
Tripoli Flyer
-
T: Fergal O'Brien
6
11-7
142
153
Has the better form of the two British contenders; comfortably bagged Grade 2 honours at Kempton (2m, good to soft; bled from nose) most recently, taking hurdles record to 3-4; not the best of jumpers and can't afford to lack fluency at this higher level; otherwise useful and progressive.
7(0)
2/6-11
Salvator Mundi
-
J: Mr P W Mullins
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
-
153
Highly notable form (clear second behind Sir Gino) in sole French outing; lack of experience counted against him in last year's Triumph Hurdle on debut for Willie Mullins; 2-2 this season, winning Tipperary maiden by 62l then overcoming a lack of fluency in Grade 2 at Punchestown (2m1f, soft) where he quickened best off the steady pace and scored by 3l; could well rate higher still, especially given the potential retained from his debut effort; big player.
1(0)
2-1
Funiculi Funicula
-
J: Brian Hayes
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
-
143
One of six runners for Willie Mullins; finished second in sole French start, then went one better at Clonmel (2m1f, soft) where the field lacked strength in depth but he justified short odds in comfortable fashion; now goes into much deeper waters but is highly unexposed.
8(0)
92-14
Sky Lord
-
J: Darragh O'Keeffe
T: Henry De Bromhead
6
11-7
-
137
Scored comfortably at Cork (1m7f, soft) on debut over hurdles but had no excuses, having dictated the pace, in Grade 2 event at Punchestown where he finished almost 4l behind Salvator Mundi; well down this pack on bare figures and stable has a stronger chance with Workahead.
10(0)
22-12
Tutti Quanti
-
J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
5
11-7
125
132
One of only two British runners; ran well behind progressive Joyeuse (Mares' Hurdle contender) on debut for Paul Nicholls then made all at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft); ran creditably under a penalty at Newbury (soft) and is proving consistent but this looks a much tougher assignment.
11(0)
1-3221
William Munny
-
J: Sean Flanagan
T: Barry Connell
7
11-7
147
151
Respectable third in sole Grade 1 attempt (final start in bumpers); opened his hurdles account with an effortless Listed novice win at Punchestown (2m, soft; went clear on the bridle) last month when ridden by Sean Flanagan for the first time and settling better than previously in this sphere; now goes in first-time hood as an extra measure, which allies with the likely strong pace; peaking at the right time and looks set for an interesting rematch with Workahead, who beat him at Leopardstown in December; owner-trainer landed this prize two years ago with a horse ridden by Michael O'Sullivan, who very sadly lost his life recently and is honoured in the race title today; a fitting success is conceivable, with further improvement likely.
4(0)
22-152
Karniquet
-
J: Danny Mullins
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
146
140
Ex-French 5yo who won well at Tramore (2m, soft to heavy) on debut for Willie Mullins; subsequently beaten in Leopardstown Grade 1 contests won by Romeo Coolio and stablemate Kopek Des Bordes, running well last time but no match for the winner; fitting of hood needs to make a difference.
5(0)
1-11
Kopek Des Bordes
-
J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
157
162
Not without flaws, having shown signs of being an edgy/fizzy sort who could potentially boil over in this highly bustling arena, but he now wears a first-time hood which may prove beneficial; otherwise an exciting prospect who maintained his unbeaten record with an impressive display, despite taking a good hold, at Leopardstown (2m, soft) in a Grade 1 event that regularly throws up Cheltenham Festival winners; that latest performance, which also featured a better round of jumping than on hurdles debut, launched him into favouritism for this race; much respected.
3(0)
2-141
Karbau
-
J: Sean O'Keeffe
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
-
148
Made all and easily drew well clear in the closing stages at Punchestown (2m, heavy; second run for Willie Mullins) six weeks ago, proving suited by the drop back in trip and adding to his French bumper win; suitably bred, being out of a half-sister to his yard's dual Cheltenham Festival scorer Sir Des Champs, and brings potential; interesting.
RACING POST TIP
William Munny
The picture for this contest looked quite open until Kopek Des Bordes blitzed his rivals at the Dublin Racing Festival. He's the one to beat provided that form is backed up and the heaving Cheltenham amphitheatre doesn't faze him. There are several plausible each-way alternatives, most notably WILLIAM MUNNY who is peaking at the right time, should have the race run to suit and looks capable of further improvement. Workahead, who ties in with the selection and has good credentials, is second choice from a punting perspective. Romeo Coolio is a solid contender, while Kopek Des Bordes's stablemate Salvator Mundi was favourite for this event at one stage and remains in calculations. Some of the other Mullins runners also look promising.
Cheltenham Free Bets
Past 10 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Winners
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2024 | Slade Steel | 13-112 | 6 | 7-2 | Henry de Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore |
| 2023 | Marine Nationale | 1111 | 6 | 9-2 | Barry Connell | Michael O’Sullivan |
| 2022 | Constitution Hill | 11 | 5 | 9-4J | Nicky Henderson | Nico de Boinville |
| 2021 | Appreciate It | 12-111 | 7 | 8-11F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2020 | Shishkin | 1-F11 | 6 | 6-1 | Nicky Henderson | Nico de Boinville |
| 2019 | Klassical Dream | 24P-11 | 5 | 6-1 | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2018 | Summerville Boy | 1-2231 | 6 | 9-1 | Tom George | Noel Fehily |
| 2017 | Labaik | 11RR6 | 6 | 25-1 | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
| 2016 | Altior | 6-1111 | 6 | 4-1 | Nicky Henderson | Nico de Boinville |
| 2015 | Douvan | 21-11- | 5 | 2-1F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
Supreme Novices' Hurdle Key Trends and Stats
Key trends
- Aged between five and six, 9/10
- Won a Graded hurdle, 9/10
- A starting price in single-figure odds, 9/10
- Won last time out, 8/10
- Adjusted RPR of at least 157, 8/10
- Irish-trained, 6/10
Other factors
- Constitution Hill (2022) and Douvan (2015) are the only favourites to have obliged in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in the last decade.
- Appreciate It (2021) is one of just three horses aged seven or above to have won the Supreme this century, alongside Captain Cee Bee (2008) and Like-A-Butterfly (2002).
Check out all of our latest Cheltenham Free Bets ahead of placing your bets on the 2025 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2024
Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead got the Irish off to a brilliant start when Slade Steel, who gave the jockey and trainer their first victory in the Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser. Mystical Power, the son of the great Annie Power, was one and a half lengths behind him in second, while Firefox was a further three and a half lengths back in third. In total, the Irish saddled the first five home, with Britain’s best performer being Favour And Fortune.Tullyhill was sent off the 11-4 favourite, but bitterly disappointed and trailed home in eighth.