tuesday's Races
wednesday's Races
thursday's Races
friday's Races
13:20Supreme Novices' Hurdle
14:00Arkle Chase
14:40Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
15:20Ultima Handicap Chase
16:00Champion Hurdle
16:40TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap
17:20National Hunt Chase
13:20Turner's Novices' Hurdle
14:00Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
14:40BetMGM Cup Hurdle (Coral Cup)
15:20Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
16:00Champion Chase
16:40Grand Annual Chase
17:20Champion Bumper
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
13:20 Cheltenham Festival
2026-03-10
Winner: £84,405
Runners: 11
Going: Good To Soft
No. of hurdles: 8
Distance:
The Skybet Supreme Novices' Hurdle is the first race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is the premier race of 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
Sort by Saddle Number
HORSE
Sort by Horse Name
Predict the Winner
ODDS
Sort by Best Odds
JOCKEY& TRAINER
Sort by Trainer
AGE
Sort by Horse Age
WGT
Sort by Weight
OR
Sort by Official Rating
RPR
Sort by Racing Post Rating
12(0)
7-51
Too Bossy For Us
-
J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
134
135
Versatile as regards ground; quite a useful Flat handicapper; showed clear promise with midfield finish in the Triumph at this meeting 12 months ago on the first of his three attempts over hurdles; most recently recorded a comfortable success, with tongue-tie applied, in a Punchestown maiden (2m) that his connections' Ethical Diamond won last year en route to a good effort at the Cheltenham Festival and a prestigious Flat treble; could go well.
1(0)
3-1211
Baron Noir
-
J: Tom Bellamy
T: Alan King
6
11-7
130
138
Has built up a solid record (131211) for current yard and justified favouritism at Kempton (2m, good; third attempt over hurdles) most recently; acts on soft; ties in with Sober Glory and El Cairos on useful bumper form, although he looked rather fortunate to beat the latter (who might have won but for proving wayward) at Punchestown; his bare figures in this sphere fall short of Supreme standard but improvement remains possible.
4(0)
-51174
Koktail Brut
-
J: Danny Gilligan
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-7
145
149
Proved useful in bumpers but is held by a couple of today's rivals on Punchestown festival running; form over hurdles (kept to 2m) features a narrow success in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse and respectable fourth in steadily run Grade 1 at Leopardstown, sandwiching a Christmas flop that is best forgiven (bled from nose); however, may lack the class needed for this assignment.
3(0)
15-2F1
El Cairos
-
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-7
-
138
Appears to act on any ground; good fifth in the Champion Bumper at this meeting last year then might have won at Punchestown but for hanging badly left; sold for £410,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal in October; clumsy at the final flight in both attempts over hurdles, causing him to stumble and fall when looking the likely winner at Leopardstown but getting away with it and comfortably beating his rivals at Thurles (2m); not without his flaws but has a big engine and brings serious potential to this return to Cheltenham.
11(0)
2-11F1
Talk The Talk
-
J: J J Slevin
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
5
11-7
150
154
Should be unbeaten over hurdles as he looked the likely winner when final-flight faller in Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m, yielding) over Christmas; gained compensation in same grade over the same C&D (heavy) at the Dublin Racing Pestival, taking record in this sphere to 3-4 and doing well to get up on the line having come from off the steady gallop set by the runner-up; he's called Talk The Talk but is certainly walking the walk too; major contender, especially with a stronger pace on the cards.
8(0)
23-111
Old Park Star
-
J: Nico de Boinville
T: Nicky Henderson
6
11-7
151
159
Has made far more progress over hurdles than seemed likely, having been 0-3 (admittedly placed each time) in bumpers for Paul Nicholls; 3-3 in this sphere for new stable, winning by 12l at Cheltenham (2m1f) and 18l at Haydock (1m7f Grade 2) the last two occasions, both on good to soft ground; strong traveller who was particularly impressive from the front last time (he doesn't necessarily need to dominate); brother to a Cheltenham Festival winner; greatly respected in his bid to give Nicky Henderson a sixth success in this race.
2(0)
22-151
Eachtotheirown
-
J: Sean Flanagan
T: Barry Connell
7
11-7
138
145
Evidently well suited by being able to dominate as he's 2-2 under front-running tactics (0-3 otherwise); trounced his rivals in Thurles handicap (2m, yielding) most recently, proving well ahead of a mark of 124; should have more to offer in the right circumstances and grade but this scenario fails on both counts; faces a stiff task on the figures and competition for the lead.
7(0)
1-112
Mydaddypaddy
-
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
5
11-7
139
147
Absent since being outgunned by Supreme absentee Idaho Sun when perhaps indirectly hindered by the low sun in Grade 1 at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft; four hurdles were omitted) on Boxing Day, losing his unbeaten record and his position at the head of the ante-post betting for this contest; gained his three wins in easy fashion, looking a very smart prospect, and may yet fulfil his potential; form is broadly solid; the likely frenetic pace here will suit this strong traveller who is ridden with hold-up tactics; remains of strong interest.
6(0)
1
Mighty Park
-
J: Mark Walsh
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
-
156
Twice-raced 5yo who is highly regarded by his top trainer and looks a hugely exciting prospect, one with a Cheltenham Festival pedigree to boot (related to two winners at this meeting); recorded an effortless 38l success from the front in maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (2m, soft) to build on the promise he showed in a point and, from the mouth of Willie Mullins, draw comparisons with Faugheen; an unexpected late switcher to this prize, having seemed more likely to run in the Turners; brings enormous potential and is a thoroughly fascinating contender, despite his inexperience.
9(0)
17
Sageborough
-
J: Sean O'Keeffe
T: Paul Nolan
5
11-7
-
132
Raced only twice (both over 2m) and may do better still but he's bottom of this pack on bare figures and needs his sights lowering; last of seven finishers in the Fairyhouse Grade 2 won by Koktail Brut when attempting to follow up a Wexford success that came at the chief expense of a rival who remains a longstanding maiden.
NR(0)
-11121
Leader d'Allier
-
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
-
143
Acts on any ground; prolific in French bumpers, bagging Grade 3 honours the final time; has started favourite in two maiden hurdles since joining Willie Mullins and made all for an emphatic success at Punchestown (2m) latest, building on his Leopardstown effort and taking overall record to 6-8; brings good qualities, being a very productive sort who keeps progressing.
10(0)
1-1411
Sober Glory
-
J: Ben Jones
T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
6
11-7
148
155
Has seemed best over hurdles when making the running and met his sole defeat when those tactics weren't employed; impressively defied a big penalty at Newbury (2m, heavy) most recently, taking record in this sphere to 3-4 and overall strike-rate to 7-8, as well as achieving a very notable RPR; related to a Cheltenham Festival winner for his yard; worth his place at this level and should make a bold bid.
RACING POST TIP
Mydaddypaddy
A deep Supreme that should be run at a strong pace spearheaded by Sober Glory, who looks relentless and may keep on galloping when others have cried enough. Whether he can repel the expected late closers is another matter and MYDADDYPADDY, one-time favourite for this race, is taken to prove the best finisher. The selection is well worth another chance, with his Formby defeat not necessarily a reason to give up on him and this scenario likely to prove more favourable. El Cairos (second choice) is another contender who retains major potential and should have the cards dropping right. He has been a rough diamond but may become more polished with further experience, and a good effort at last year's Cheltenham Festival bodes very well. Old Park Star is one of the runners who may sit nearer to the front end than ideal but he's top rated and commands considerable respect, while Mighty Park is very short on experience but looks massively promising and Talk The Talk has to be feared, being the only runner who is already a Grade 1 winner.
Cheltenham Free Bets
No offers to show
Cheltenham Festival Tips
2026 Cheltenham Festival tips from Racing Post Experts
Past 10 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Winners
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2025 | Kopek Des Bordes | 1-11 | 5 | 4/6F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 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
- Kopek Des Bordes (2025), Constitution Hill (2022) and Appreciate It (2021) 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 2026 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2025
The Willie Mullins-trained Kopek Des Bordes ensured favourite backers started the meeting on the right note when justifying his 4-6 odds in the opening race. He was the first winning favourite since Constitution Hill in 2022. Paul Townend’s mount extended his unbeaten record to four with a straightforward success by a length and three-quarters.