Supreme Novices Hurdle 2022 Entries: Constitution Hill heads 61 entries for Cheltenham curtain raiser

Constitution Hill leads a star-studded line up of 61 novices entered for the Grade 1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, which is set to take place at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival on March 15. We take a look at the entries here for the Festival curtain-raiser...

This may be the first race of the biggest show in racing, but with such fantastic entries the Supreme Novices' Hurdle of 2022 threatens to steal the whole show! Leading the way is Nicky Henderson's Constitution Hill, (9/4) after some seriously impressive performances over obstacles including a facile success in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown earlier this month last time out.

His stable companion Jonbon (9/2) is the current third favourite for this 2m contest, and while his lofty price tag meant he was always going to be watched with interest by racing fans he has done all that could be asked of him over hurdles so far in securing three victories from three starts. His price seems fair in comparison to his stable mate, but the entrant splitting the pair in the market, Dysart Dynamo (7/2) for Willie Mullins, could be a major fly in the ointment.

The Irish raider has looked incredibly slick and speedy over obstacles so far in his two starts at Cork and Punchestown, winning both races by 19 lengths. He looks one that is sure to be suited by the challenge of a strongly run Supreme and is a worthy second favourite in the market. With Mullins it is always a guessing game as to which horse will run in which race and this year will be no exception as next in the market is Sir Gerhard (7/1), last year's front running Champion Bumper hero. Sir Gerhard has done little wrong in his sole start over hurdles this campaign and with a commanding victory at the Dublin Racing Festival could propel himself to the top of the market for this race. However, there is a nagging suspicion Mullins will keep his stable stars apart and send one of them, probably Sir Gerhard, to the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle instead.

Of the 61 entries, a staggering 21 hail from the Willie Mullins stable and so attempting to guess exactly where each of the Closutton clique will end up in March may be folly. Of his 21, Kilcruit (33/1) has been disappointing this season but if returning to form could be a player if participating in the Supreme, while of Henderson's 9 entries apart from his big duo, No Ordinary Joe (66/1) catches the eye as one the Seven Barrows team clearly still believe has bundles of potential despite his greenness so far this campaign. 

Gavin Cromwell enjoyed a stunning Cheltenham 2021 and has My Mate Mozzie (20/1) entered for this race, a horse not without a chance but knowing he must reverse form with yet another Mullins Statuaire (33/1) from Fairyhouse in November. Triumph Hurdle favourite Fil Dor (33/1) is another potential Irish raider entered in this race, although with him chalked up at 5/2 for the Friday opener it is seriously unlikely we see him on the Tuesday.

Gordon Elliot is mob handed in the entries too, although his two most interesting potential runners are both double entered for this race and the Ballymore. Future Champions Novices' Hurdle 1-2 Mighty Potter (16/1) and Three Stripe Life (33/1) will more than likely be kept apart but neither would be without a chance of placing at least in this race.