Supreme Novices' Hurdle Tips & Odds 2027
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is the Grade 1 opener at the Cheltenham Festival. Compare 2027 ante-post odds, tips, trends and past winners.
It is the opening race on day one of the Festival and traditionally sets the tone for the entire four-day meeting at Prestbury Park. Read More
With the 2026 Festival now over, attention is already beginning to turn towards the 2027 renewal, even if the picture is still at an early stage. At this point in the calendar, many of the horses who could line up are still competing in bumpers or have yet to make their mark over hurdles.
Below you can compare the latest Supreme Novices' Hurdle odds from leading bookmakers in our live racecard, which will track the ante-post market and the likely runners for the Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival opener as the road to March unfolds.
We also look back at previous winners and key trends ahead of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, while assessing the leading contenders and the main talking points surrounding the 2027 race.
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Supreme Novices' Hurdle Tips
The 2027 Supreme is still a few months away and it is too early for a confident selection. We will update this page with our expert tip once the likely runners and ante-post picture become clearer, but a good place to start is always checking out the previous season's Champion Bumper form. THE MOURNE RAMBLER won that race at Cheltenham in 2026 for Noel Meade, but was beaten as the 11/8 favourite in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown in April, finishing second to With Nolimit, who had been ninth at Cheltenham. Meade said he would have a break, possibly a Flat run, and then go hurdling in 2026/27, so he remains one to watch in Supreme ante-post markets.
About the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is the traditional curtain raiser on Cheltenham Day 1 known as Champion Tuesday. The race, a Grade 1 contest over two miles and 87 yards, has been won by some legendary names over the years, including Flyingbolt, L’Escargot, Sprinter Sacre and Altior.
It was originally known as the Gloucestershire Hurdle and would be split into either two or three divisions for the first 25 years or so of its lifespan. The legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien dominated the race during this period, winning on ten occasions during the 1950s. The race began being known as the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 1978 when Waterford Crystal began to sponsor it. The race has had several different sponsors since and is currently supported by Sky Bet. A host of Supreme winners have gone on to taste further success at the Cheltenham Festival, including the 2016 winner Altior, who won the 2017 Arkle Trophy and the 2018 and 2019 renewals of the Champion Chase after heading over fences.
Favourite backers once again got off to a flier in 2026 with OLD PARK STAR streaking clear to win the Supreme, although he was perhaps fortuitous to come out the right side of a bunching with second and third Sober Glory and Mydaddypaddy. It was a British-trained 1-2-3-4, after Irish-trained horses had won the previous three runnings.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle Key Trends
- Willie Mullins has trained three of the last 10 winners
- Four favourites or joint-favourites have won the last 10 renewals of the Supreme
- Horses aged six (6 wins) and five (3 wins) have dominated the Supreme in the last 10 years
- Eight of the last 10 winners had won their previous race before the Supreme.
Previous Winners Of The Supreme Novices' Hurdle
| Year | Winner | Winning Jockey | Winning Trainer | Starting Price | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Old Park Star | Nico De Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 15/8 Fav | 6 |
| 2025 | Kopek Des Bordes | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 4/6 Fav | 5 |
| 2024 | Slade Steel | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead | 7/2 | 6 |
| 2023 | Marine Nationale | Michael O'Sullivan | Barry Connell | 9/2 | 6 |
| 2022 | Constitution Hill | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 9/4 JF | 5 |
| 2021 | Appreciate It | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 8/11 Fav | 7 |
| 2020 | Shishkin | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 6/1 | 6 |
| 2019 | Klassical Dream | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 6/1 | 5 |
| 2018 | Summerville Boy | Noel Fehily | Tom George | 9/1 | 6 |
| 2017 | Labaik | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott | 25/1 | 6 |
Frequently Asked Questions About The Supreme Novices' Hurdle
When is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle?
The race takes place at 13:20 on Tuesday 16th March 2027.
Where can I watch the Supreme Novices' Hurdle?
Watch the race live on ITV and Racing TV which also offer options to stream the race via their streaming services.
Alternatively, most bookmakers offer a free live horse racing stream allowing you to watch the race after you've placed a bet.
Who is the most iconic winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle?
There are plenty of Supreme winners who have gone on to bigger and better things, but perhaps none more so than Altior, who won at the Cheltenham Festival four times, starting with the 2016 Supreme. He followed up in the 2017 Arkle Trophy and the 2018 and 2019 renewals of the Champion Chase, and his 19-race winning run only came to an end when Cyrname beat him in the 1965 Chase at Ascot in November 2019. Trainer Nicky Henderson announced in September 2021 that Altior would not race again. You can view Cheltenham results going back to 2010 and relive some of those old races.
Are there any trials for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle?
There are several races to note in terms of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle throughout the season, with the most significant being the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day (the former Tolworth Hurdle, which moved from Sandown) and the Newbury Handicap Hurdle. Other races to note include the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham), the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (Kempton) and the Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Haydock), sponsored as the Sky Bet Supreme Trial. Over in Ireland, it could be worth keeping an eye on the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, and the Future Champions Novice Hurdle and the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (the former Deloitte), which are both at Leopardstown.
Who is the most successful jockey in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle?
The most successful jockey in the history of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is Ruby Walsh, who has six wins. Walsh’s six Supreme wins have come on board Noland (2006), Al Ferof (2011), Champagne Fever (2013), Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015) and Klassical Dream (2019).
Who is the most successful trainer in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle?
The most successful trainer in the history of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle is Willie Mullins, who has eight wins to his name. Willie Mullins’ Supreme Novices’ Hurdle wins have come courtesy of Tourist Attraction (1995), Ebaziyan (2007), Champagne Fever (2013) Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015), Klassical Dream (2019), Appreciate It (2021) and Kopek Des Bordes (2025).