Supreme Novices' Hurdle Tips
The first race of the Cheltenham Festival, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle kicks off the festival in fine fashion and it’s greeted with the “Cheltenham Roar”.
Starting the festival with a Grade 1 race is the perfect opener and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has a history of producing both upset results and seeing some of the best future jumpers take flight.
Names such as Vautour, Douvan and Altior grace the past winners’ list and it’s only going to be more impressive with time.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle Key Facts
| Date | Tuesday March 11, 2020 |
| Time | 1:30pm |
| Track | Cheltenham |
| Distance | 3200m |
| Status | Grade 1 |
| Prize Money | £125,000 |
| Age | 4YO+ |
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Date & Time 2020
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is the opening race run on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival. That falls on Tuesday March 11, 2020 and the official starting time is 1:30pm.
The Day 1 card also includes the Arkle Chase, Champion Hurdle and David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.
1:30 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
2:10 – Arkle Chase
2:50 – Ultima Handicap Chase
3:30 – Champion Hurdle
4:10 – Mares Hurdle
4:50 – National Hunt Chase Cup
5:30 – Close Brothers Novices Chase
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2020 Betting Tips
We will have 2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle tips available.
2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle odds, barrier draw and field
We will have 2020 Supreme Novices' Hurdle odds when the field is confirmed.
2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle field
The field hasn’t been confirmed but we will post an updated 2020 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle field when it is released.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winners
Irish-trained runners have dominated the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in recent years with 11 out of the last 16 winners coming from Ireland.
Bookmakers have also had a good time of it lately, with only three favourites winning in the last 15 years.
Horses aged six-years-old have won the last three editions of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the last four-year-old to win was Hors La Loi III in 1999.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Klassical Dream |
| 2018 | Summerville Boy |
| 2017 | Labaik |
| 2016 | Altior |
| 2015 | Douvan |
| 2014 | Vautour |
| 2013 | Champagne Fever |
| 2012 | Cinders And Ashes |
| 2011 | Al Ferof |
| 2010 | Menorah |
| 2009 | Go Native |
| 2008 | Captain Cee Bee |
| 2007 | Ebaziyan |
| 2006 | Noland |
| 2005 | Arcalis |
| 2004 | Brave Inca |
| 2003 | Back In Front |
| 2002 | Like-A-Butterfly |
| 2001 | no race |
| 2000 | Sausalito Bay |
| 1999 | Hors La Loi III |
| 1998 | French Ballerina |
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle history
Originally called the Gloucestershire Hurdle and run in two divisions, it was changed to the Champion Novices’ Hurdle in 1974 and now races under the title of Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was dominated in the early stages by Vincent O’Brien, who trained an incredible 10 winners during a 15-year period. That included eight wins in nine years with only the Fred Rimell-trained Tokoroa getting in the way of nine-straight victories.
In more recent times, Willie Mullins has been the most successful trainer with five victories, including three in a row from 2013-2015.
Probably the most famous wins in recent times, Mullins lined up the likes of Champagne Fever, Vautour and the well-backed Douvan.
Champion jockey Ruby Walsh has five wins to his name and most notably scoring three straight wins for Willie Mullins.
There are eight hurdles to jump for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runners and the shorter distances makes for an exciting contest and it gets the crowd fired up.
The “Cheltenham Roar” is a special attribute for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and it’s what makes the race a great way to open the Cheltenham Festival.
