Cheltenham Festival: Supreme Novices' Hurdle Betting Tips
The Cheltenham Festival roars into life with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Tuesday afternoon.
The Grade 1 contest over two miles could arguably be the race of the entire meeting, despite its curtain-raising slot.
The best of the British and Irish novices will collide and it's a field of real depth, making for a cracking start to Cheltenham 2026.
A field of 12 will go to post for Tuesday's 13:20 race – here are three to keep in mind, including one at big odds.
NAP: Mighty Park @ 9/2
There has been a real buzz around Mighty Park in recent weeks and it has to be heeded that Willie Mullins – who has won this race more than any other trainer – prefers the Supreme over the 2m5f Turners, which was expected to be his target. Even more notable, given this race was always going to have strength in depth to it.
Mullins has made no secret of his admiration for the JP McManus-owned French import, likening to him the mighty Faugheen in pre-festival dispatches.
That is high praise indeed, and the Closutton team clearly believe he will do himself justice on this grand stage. He won his only Irish start by 38-lengths at Fairyhouse in January and he could be something quite special.
Antepost favourite Old Park Star has more form in the book but, notably, Nicky Henderson suggests he shows little at home and it will be interesting to see what he finds when some genuine pressure is applied, as it surely will be in this helter-skelter festival curtain raiser that really whets the appetite.
Next Best: El Cairos @ 15/2
Gordon Elliott's El Cairos looked like doing something out of the ordinary at Leopardstown on his hurdling bow at Christmas, only to slip after landing clear over the final obstacle. It was a bizarre incident in truth and he shouldn't be judged harshly for that.
He won his maiden at Thurles next time despite another final flight scare, though rider Jack Kennedy was quick to suggest his indecision played a role in that as much as anything El Cairos contributed.
Bought from the dispersal of David Maxwell's string for a chunky price of £410,000, El Cairos could be very talented and his top trainer and jockey have lots of faith in his ability.
Long Shot: Baron Noir @ 33/1
Baron Noir actually beat El Cairos in a bumper at Punchestown last season. Many put that down to the runner-up drifting under his owner-rider at the time but Alan King's charge has shown the form to be very solid in any case.
Owned by the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate, no strangers to big-race success, Baron Noir is 2-3 over hurdles, atoning for a runner-up finish at Warwick in November with smooth successes at Uttoxeter and Kempton since.
He's well thought of and connections anticipate further progress from him going up in grade here with a solid pace to aim at. He's one of the more attractive contenders at big prices and could run into the frame.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation