Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2026 Tips - Could there be a British winner of the opener?
The 2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle is set to kick off the Cheltenham Festival with Old Park Star as the favorite. Notable contenders include Mydaddypaddy and Talk The Talk. Mydaddypaddy, valued as a potential standout, aims to impress under Dan Skelton's guidance. Despite a competitive field with strong Irish entries, Old Park Star offers a formidable challenge, particularly noteworthy after a stellar Haydock performance. Tactics, raw pace, and jump consistency will be pivotal in this highly-anticipated race.
- Predictions and best bets for the 2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle
- This Grade One takes place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on March 10th
- Mydaddypaddy (8/1) features in our selections
One of the most eagerly awaited races of the National Hunt season is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, which kicks off the Cheltenham Festival on Champions' Day.
We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Supreme Novices' Hurdle tips for 2026, including our best bet and race verdict.
Last Updated: 9.03.2026
Race Info
| Race | Supreme Novices' Hurdle |
| Date | Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 |
| Start Time | 1:20pm |
| Status | Grade One |
| Distance | 2m87y |
| First Prize | £84,405 |
| Going | NA |
| Runners | 44 |
| Favourite | Old Park Star (9/4) |
The Home Challengers
Nicky Henderson boasts an enviable record in the Supreme, and his top novice, Old Park Star will likely go off as the favourite. Nico de Boinville's mount won his second novice hurdle on the New Course at Cheltenham's December Meeting, and cemented his position at the top of this betting heat with an excellent victory in the Rossington Main at Haydock.
Sober Glory shot up to 12/1 in the Cheltenham Festival betting after his recent victory at Newbury. I thought that was a massive overreaction to a 1/3 favourite winning a poor novice hurdle, and he'd only have a chance if the ground was bottomless on the opening day.
Idaho Sun held off favourite Mydaddypaddy to win the Formby at Aintree on Boxing Day. Harry Fry's charge has only been beaten in the Champion Bumper so far in his career, and deserves to take his chance on the back of that Aintree win. This keen-going horse likes to be out in front, though, and the early pace in the Supreme is always fast, often overly so. I don't think he has the same raw pace as some of his rivals, and could struggle late on.
Mydaddypaddy was the favourite for the Supreme going into the Formby, and drifted markedly after finishing second. Harry Skelton held onto the favourite at the rear for as long as he could, and the omission of hurdles down the home straight certainly aided Idaho Sun's front-running effort. Skelton has freshened his top novice up for this assignment, and I fancy you'll see a different Mydaddypaddy come March 10th.
Irish Raiders
A thrilling renewal of the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival went the way of Talk The Talk. Joseph O'Brien's star had fallen late in Grade One company over Christmas, but held it together this time to edge out market rivals Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey.
All three are entered in the Turners' Novices' Hurdle on day two. That seems to be the target for both Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey, but Joseph has said that the Supreme is Talk The Talk's objective, and he's sure to be popular in the market.
As will El Cairos who, like Talk The Talk, fell when on course for victory at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival. Gordon Elliott's recruit then hacked up in a maiden hurdle at Thurles, despite another terrible blunder at the final flight.
There's no doubt that El Cairos is an exceptionally quick National Hunt horse, but there are doubts about his jumping, and what he will find in the heat of battle. He wouldn't be for me.
With Mighty Park and King Rasko Grey seemingly heading for the Turners, Leader d'Allier will be Paul Townend's ride in this year's Supreme. A four-time bumper winner in France during 2025, Mullins' recruit was beaten comprehensively by Ballyfad over Christmas, but seemed to have improved plenty for that run when scoring at Punchestown last time out.
Willie Mullins could be further represented by Moscow Flyer winner Sober, and recent Punchestown winner Too Bossy For Us. His Supreme squad doesn't seem particularly strong this year, though. Each To Their Own and Blake are intended runners for Barry Connell and Noel Meade respectively, but you'd have to be a real optimist to fancy their chances.
2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Tips
| Bet Type | Name | Odds (9.3.2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bet 1 | Mydaddypaddy | 8/1 |
Note: These selections are subject to change. All of my selections will be finalised once the fields have been confirmed.
Three dangerous Irish rivals have been confirmed for this year's Supreme. However, Mighty Park is extremely inexperienced, Talk The Talk looked better suited to the Turners' Novices' Hurdle, and there are doubts about El Cairos' jumping and what he will find in the heat of a battle.
Old Park Star deserves to be the clear favourite. I was blown away by his performance at Haydock, and if money came for the Irish contenders and he was to drift out to something like 3/1 in the Cheltenham Festival betting, I'd certainly be getting involved.
That being said, 12/1 is too big a price about MYDADDYPADDY (8/1). Everything that could go wrong went wrong for Dan Skelton's charge at Aintree, and maybe two runs in quick succession at Carlisle and Haydock left the favourite a little flat.
Mydaddypaddy and Old Park Star have both won over the same course-and-distance at Haydock. The going readings for both meetings were largely the same, and both horses carried 11-7. From the third-last to the line, Old Park Star and Mydaddypaddy recorded almost identical times, but the overall time of Mydaddypaddy's Introductory Hurdle was over three seconds quicker than the Rossington Main, despite only three runners taking part.
I'm not using that time comparison to suggest that Dan Skelton's novice is better than the Supreme favourite, but it does suggest that both horses are fairly well-matched, and the disparity between the two in the betting is wrong.
You need a strong traveller in the Supreme, and jumping is always at a premium. Skelton's mount looks like he'd relish a fast pace over two miles, and I don't expect the uphill run to the line to cause him any problems. Mydaddypaddy could be the best value bet in this year's Festival opener.
Live Stream
Visit our Supreme Novices' Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival via a mobile or tablet.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2026 FAQs
When is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2026?
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle will be run on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday 10th March, 2026.
What time does the Supreme Novices' Hurdle go off?
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is scheduled to start at 1:20pm on March 10th.
Who will win the 2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle?
With the Irish challenge looking a little suspect in this year's Supreme, Old Park Star has a favourite's chance. Mydaddypaddy should also go well for Dan Skelton, with Mossy Fen Road worth considering at huge odds.
Where can I watch the 2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle?
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.
Verdict
Mydaddypaddy has all of the attributes needed to excel in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, and he remains on a decent each-way price.
Mydaddypaddy E/W
2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Value Bet
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