Are you dreaming of picking a winner at the Cheltenham Festival? Everyone has heard of the delightfully-named Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – the opening race of the festival and the first chance of the week to bag a win. But what do you need to know before you place your bet?
What makes the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle special, and how do you pick the right horse? In this article, we’ll break down the three ‘Ps’ of betting on this race – preparation, people, and prizes – and show you everything you need to know about making the big bucks.
Ready yourself for the ride of your life with all the moments of tension, excitement and (hopefully) joy of a successful bet. And don’t worry; there’s no need to be a Cheltenham expert; get your hands on the essentials before the race is on, and you’ll be ready to make the most of it.
Read on to learn all you need to know about betting on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle…
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race run over a distance of two miles and half a furlong. It is the first event on day one of the Cheltenham Festival and open only to novice hurdlers aged four years old or above.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 hurdle run on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival (the Tuesday) at Prestbury Park in Cheltenham. The race is open to horses aged four and over and is a 2-mile contest with eight hurdles to be jumped. It is widely recognised as one of the most important races for novice hurdlers in Britain and has attracted considerable interest from horse racing fans over the years.
Betting on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has become increasingly popular in recent years. This growth has been attributed to various factors, including increased exposure due to increased media coverage and improved bookmaker offers for race betting. Many punters feel that this could potentially present an opportunity to make some money due to the high quality of the field. However, some argue that it can also be a risky affair if not approached correctly.
When considering betting options for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, it is important to be aware of certain key points: Firstly, the form should always be considered when determining which horse you want to back. Also, look out for any news or rumours that may affect the race’s outcome (both positively and negatively). Furthermore, try to monitor changes in the form or fitness levels of horses leading up to the race date; this will enable you to make an informed decision regarding your selection.
An understanding of market conditions is equally important when betting on this event. By researching current trends and odds, you can give yourself an edge when selecting your chosen horse. Regarding odds, look out for bookmakers offering Best Odds Guaranteed for better value for money.
In conclusion, betting on the Supreme Novives’ Hurdle can be very rewarding with some research and caution. However, those looking for a quick return should consider carefully how much risk they are willing to take before placing any bets.
| Year | Horse | Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2014 | Vautour | 22-111 | 5 | 7/2J | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2013 | Champagne Fever | 1-1231 | 6 | 5/1 | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
The stakes (or “prize money”) for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle are as follows: £135,000 total purse with £75,965 going to the winner. This purse has made the race one of Britain’s most competitive events and attracts the best two-mile hurdlers in training.
The Prize Fund for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is regularly updated and increased as Cheltenham Festival popularity grows and prize money is awarded to other events on the National Hunt calendar.
While there has been growing debate both inside and outside of the horseracing industry that higher profile races such as this one should be offering even more substantial purses, it is undisputed that winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle comes with great fame, glory and recognition within the sport – not only for the jockey but for their horse too.
The sheer magnitude of prizes and the purse associated with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contributed to its immense popularity in horse racing circles. Regarding betting opportunities alone, this race is consistently an exciting and very attractive proposition for punters worldwide.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is one of the most prestigious horse races around the world. Racing in the race brings fame, glory, and a substantial purse. Smaller prizes are awarded to riders involved in the race. The race’s popularity indicates its generous prize fund, and it continues to be an exciting proposition for punters worldwide.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is one of the most popular races in National Hunt racing and draws huge attention every year. Horse owners and trainers value it as a good opportunity to show off their best novice horses and test their skills on the track. This makes the race inherently attractive since the competition brings together some of the highest quality horses.
Many horse racing fans, whether experienced or newbies, follow this race with anticipation. The allure of a large cash prize, chances to bet on an exciting race and high-quality horses have made it one of the most anticipated events in British Jump racing. All this translates into strong public interest, especially when the best novices from around Europe take part.
On top of that, recent years have seen record numbers of spectators for this event at Cheltenham Racecourse. Additionally, many online streaming services offer free live coverage of the race, further boosting its popularity.
Some occasional voices argue that betting profits should be restricted due to concerns about animal welfare. Still, such views remain an isolated minority among the mainstream audience for this race.
Rules for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle vary depending on the racecourse, though there are some general guidelines to consider when betting on this event. Generally, runners must be aged four or over, and the Rules of Racing enforced by the Jockey Club apply to any female runners. The weight the horse carries can vary after allowances from 10 stones 11 pounds up to 11 stones 7 pounds for this particular race.
Regarding customisation for young horses, most racecourses allow for a special horseshoe to provide stability and soundness at each turn. This provides extra security to inexperienced horses in this event and helps reduce injury risks. The alterations on the horseshoe can also provide comfort to both horse and rider, increasing performance and giving them the best chance of success.
Some argue that using alternative equipment, such as special horseshoes, should not be allowed due to unfair advantage. In contrast, others argue it benefits both horse and jockey alike with an increased likelihood of safety and improved performance. Ultimately, the rules of specific courses should be considered before deciding ahead of time if any particular horse stands out better than another with equipment rules.
It’s also important to remember that age can be a key factor in handicapping the field. Younger competitors tend to be fresher by having smaller resumes, while older animals are veterans of many races and often command respect due to their experience. When assessing form or potential favourites, if you see that a horse is six or seven years old, it carries far more weight than it would do for a younger runner.
The age and gender of runners is an important factor when betting on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Historically, younger horses aged four or five have had an edge in this race. 13 of the last 15 winners were aged 5-or-6, with younger horses proving to be the more successful in terms of victory rate. However, older horses between the ages of 7 and 8 have still had some success, with three out of twenty winners being within that age group.
It’s also worth noting the role played by female horses in the competition, as male horses are considered more dominant in racing. So far, six female horses have won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle since its inception, including three in recent years between 2016 and 2020. This shows that both age and gender can play a significant role in such races, and it’s important to take note when studying form or analysing possible trends.
After age and gender, understanding the pedigree of various runners and their respective winning history is another important factor when considering who to back for the upcoming edition of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. The next section will cover this in greater detail by examining runners and their previous winners to draw more accurate conclusions on where best to place bets
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is one of the most prestigious races for novice hurdlers at the Cheltenham Festival, and it has had some iconic winners over the years. Famous horses such as Douvan, Altior and Constitution Hill have succeeded in this event, with Willie Mullins has trained the most winners.
Generally, runners who have succeeded in their earlier seasons are favoured in this race due to its gruelling length, so it’s important to consider horses who have already experienced success over two miles.
Although high class horses from Britain, Ireland, France and other countries compete yearly for this esteemed prize, still, the event has been dominated by Irish trained horses in recent years, with five winners since 2012, including 2015 champion Douvan. UK trainers have recently had some impressive victories at Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, with Nicky Henderson training three winners in 2016, 2020 and 2022.
Winners of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in the past have typically gone on to become some of the best hurdlers in the world. Notable examples of this include Bula (1970) and Golden Cygnet (1978), as well as L’Escargot (1968), who also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice.
When researching for possible picks for your bets, looking at previous winners of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle can pay dividends, as some traits are usually shared by many of them. Notable characteristics include a runner having won at least two hurdles before starting at Cheltenham and similar wins over distances ranging from two miles and beyond.
Researching the Jockeys offers a great insight into what kind of horses tend to go well in this race; as this is a novice race, the horse relies very much on the experience of the jockey in order to come out the winner.
The quality of past trainers and jockeys competing for this race speaks volumes about its place within horseracing society. Its ability to produce iconic champions from around the world over decades and the fact it’s the opening race of the festival is what makes it so popular with horse racing fans.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is open to National Hunt horses aged four and over nominated by their owners. All horses must be registered with the British Horseracing Authority and trained in Great Britain, Ireland, or France.
To be eligible for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, horses must have started in at least three steeplechase races in their lifetime, and at least one of these starts must be in a novice hurdle race.
Additionally, horses cannot have won more than two races in their lifetime. Horses must also meet certain age criteria—they must have been born in either the Northern Hemisphere (between August 1 and November 30) or the Southern Hemisphere (between February 1 and May 31).
The requirements to enter the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle are relatively strict. All participating horses must be four-years-old or older at the time of entry, must weigh a minimum of 11 stones, and have an established “performance record” in one or more recognised races.
Furthermore, all entries must meet a performance standard defined by the Rules of Racing; this includes a qualifying run in at least one race registered with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Additionally, owners must be ready to prove their horses’ soundness and health before entering the race.
To promote fairness, horses from outside Great Britain and Ireland cannot be entered if they haven’t already completed the same qualifying process in their home countries.
Finally, eligibility for the event is restricted to two-mile and two-mile-plus steeplechases that have been started no less than six days and no more than one month before the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Whether you decide to dabble in betting on The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle or not depends largely on your preference and risk appetite. While many gamblers choose to place bets on this race due to its lucrative prize pot, others are content with staying away from it, given its inherent unpredictability when picking a winner.
Ultimately, it is up to each punter to decide what works best for them regarding the likelihood of success versus potential reward – as long as they ensure they always gamble responsibly when doing so.
