One of the Cheltenham Festival’s most exciting novices’ contests, and most notably the opening race of the Prestbury Park-based meeting, racing fans will be glued to their television sets for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, which promises to be a cracking curtain raiser for the festival once again this year.
The two-mile, half-a-furlong race looks set to be a battle between some of Nicky Henderson’s and Willie Mullins’ best youngsters, so you already know it’s going to be a hotly contested race with plenty of potential future stars of the Cheltenham Festival on show. With that in mind, read on as we take a look at the ante-post favourites for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Constitution Hill
Leading the way in the Cheltenham bets, Constitution Hill has made easy work of his competition in his two races so far this season. The five-year-old won a Novices’ Hurdle by 14 lengths clear of Might I, the 6/4 favourite, at Sandown in early December and he returned to the Surrey-based track for the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle last month, beating more experienced horses like Jetoile and Mr Glass by a considerable distance. He’ll be up against stiffer opposition in the Supreme, but that top-grade victory perhaps gives him the advantage.
Dysart Dynamo
Mullins’ best shot of extending his record in the traditional Cheltenham Festival opener to eight victories, Dysart Dynamo moved into the second favourite in the ante-post betting after winning the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown by some 19 lengths midway through last month. It was actually his second victory by that commanding distance of the year, as he beat Lucky Tenner to win a Division II Maiden Hurdle at Cork on his seasonal reappearance. Given Mullins’ impressive record in this race, Dysart Dynamo will be well backed.
Jonbon
Despite back-to-back victories in November and December to kick start his season, including in a Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle triumph at Ascot, questions were still being asked of Jonbon’s true ability. It seems like it wasn’t until his second Grade 2 victory of the season in the Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock Park last month that the bookies and the punters finally began to take the Henderson-trained horse seriously. As a result, he has moved into the third favourite in the ante-post betting and will make for an interesting option at around 4/1.
Sir Gerhard
The Cheltenham Festival may be next month, but it’s perhaps still too early to tell where Sir Gerhard will end up competing. The seven-year-old, who was moved to Mullins’ esteemed yard in the wake of the Gordon Elliott controversary this time last year, is more fancied for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at this stage. However, after winning a Maiden Hurdle over two miles at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, if Sir Gerhard can win over the same distance again in the Ireland Novice Hurdle later this month, then he will surely be edging towards the Supreme.
Elliott’s Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle victor, Mighty Potter, is next in line at 14/1, while El Fabiolo, another from Mullins’ stables, and Gavin Cromwell’s My Mate Mozzle are both 20/1 shots.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
