Supreme Novices Hurdle

Introduced | 1946 |
Racecourse | Cheltenham, Old Course |
Race Distance | Approximately 2m 1/2f |
Entry Conditions | Novice horses aged 4 and over |
Current Sponsor | SkyBet |
Date & Time | Day 1 / Tuesday 16th March 2021 / 13:30 |
Leading Jockey | Ruby Walsh with 6 wins |
Leading Trainer | Willie Mullins with 6 wins |
The Supreme Novices Hurdle is a race which takes place on the Old Course at the Cheltenham Festival. It is run over a distance of around 2 miles and 1/2 furlong, contains eight hurdles and is open to novice horses ages four and over. Novice horses in this category are those which have not won over hurdles prior to the start of the current season. The race is the first to take place each year at the Cheltenham Festival and kick-starts the four days of racing with the crowd performing the infamous ‘Cheltenham Roar’ which is an enormously loud cheer from Cheltenham spectators as the horses go off.
The Supreme Novices Hurdle dates back to 1946 and was originally called the Gloucestershire Hurdle. In 1974, Lloyds Bank sponsored the race and it was renamed the Lloyds Bank Champion Novices’ Hurdle. ‘Supreme’ was added to the name in 1978 when Waterford Crystal started to back the race and now the current sponsor precedes the name.
Supreme Novices Hurdle Past Winners
Year
Horse
Age
Price
Trainer
Jockey
Distances
2020
1st
Shishkin
6
6-1
NJ Henderson
Nico de Boinville
2nd
Abacadabras
6
11-4
G Elliott
D N Russell
Head
3rd
Chantry House
6
9-4f
N J Henderson
B J Geraghty
11 lengths
–
2019
1st
Klassical Dream
5
16-1
WP Millins
Ruby Walsh
2nd
Thomas Darby
6
20-1
Olly Murphy
R Johnson
4 1/2 Lengths
3rd
Itchy Feet
5
80-1
Olly Murphy
G Sheehan
Half a length
–
2018
1st
Summerville Boy
6
7-1
T R George
N D Fehily
2nd
Kalashnikov
5
4-1
Amy Murphy
Jack Quinlan
Neck
3rd
Mengli Khan
5
10-1
G Elliott
J W Kennedy
1 3/4 Lengths
–
2017
1st
Labaik
6
25-1
G Elliott
J W Kennedy
2nd
Melon
5
3-1 J
W P Mullins
Ruby Walsh
4 1/2 Lengths
3rd
River Wylde
6
8-1
N J Henderson
Nico de Boinville
3 lengths
–
2016
1st
Altior
6
4-1
N J Henderson
Nico de Boinville
2nd
Min
5
15-8
W P Mullins
Ruby Walsh
7 Lengths
3rd
Buveur D’Air
5
10-1
N J Henderson
N D Fehily
1 1/2 Lengths
–
2015
1st
Douvan
5
2-1
W P Mullins
Ruby Walsh
2nd
Shaneshill
6
9-1
W P Mullins
P Townend
4 1/2 Lengths
3rd
Sizing John
5
25-1
H De Bromhead
J Burke
2 1/2 Lengths
Supreme Novices Hurdle Trends
- 20 of the last 23 Supreme Novices Hurdle winners had won their last race
- 14 of the last 15 Supreme Novices Hurdle winners were aged 5 or 6
- 19 of the last 25 Supreme Novices Hurdle winners had ran in 45 days leading up to the race
Supreme Novices Hurdle Betting Offers
In the run-up and during the Cheltenham Festival, bookmakers run an increased amount of betting offers. With an estimated £500 million bet on Cheltenham each year, bookmakers are fighting for your business. This allows punters to take advantage of a number of Cheltenham offers such as free bets, money-back specials, extra places, best odds guaranteed, price boosts and much more. The majority of the big name bookmakers will be running offers for Cheltenham including William Hill, Betfair, Betfred and Bet365.
Below, you’ll find a list of Cheltenham betting offers which you’re likely to see available this year.

Money Back if 2nd or 3rd to SP Favourite – Cheltenham
Get a refund as a free bet up to £20 if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd to the SP Favourite in ANY RACE at Cheltenham
Free Bet if your selection finishes 2nd or 3rd to the SP favourite at the Cheltenham Festival. 18+. UK/IRE customers only. Max refund £/€20. Win or win part of e/w outright singles only. Min field size required. 1st bet on each race. Free bet expires after 7 days. Applies to Ante Post bets placed from 3/3/2020. Free/void bets don't qualify. T&Cs apply.

Bet £20 on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and get a £20 Free Bet
Available on the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Min €/£20 in EXC back bets on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle ‘Win’ market. EXCLUDES ANTEPOST BETS. Max €/£20 EXC mobile free bet, not valid on ‘E/W’ markets, awarded at bet settlement. E-wallet exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.

You Win If Your Horse Finishes 2nd in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Available on the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival
new customers only, min deposit £10 (UK Credit/Debit cards only) with bonus code 'SUPREME'. Max cash payout £500, within 24 hours of settlement, first qualifying bet only, max stake £20, min £10, T&C's apply

Cheltenham Money Back if 2nd
Cash refund up to £10 if your horse finishes 2nd at Cheltenham
Money back credited as cash to £10 per race. First bet qualifies on the Race Winner market only. Min odds 3/1 and 4+ runners. Other terms and restrictions apply.

Sky Bet Money Back If Loss Cheltenham
Get up to £10 cash refund if your first bet on the Supreme Novices' Hurdle loses
Get money back as CASH up to £10 if the horse you have backed does not win in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
18+, max refund £10, first bet only, win singles or win part of each way singles, free bets and cashed out bets excluded, best odds guaranteed does not apply, eligibility restrictions apply, further T&C's apply, begambleaware.org