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Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2026 Preview

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle opens the Cheltenham Festival at 1:20pm on Champion Day and is greeted each year by the famous roar as the tapes rise. Run over two miles on the Old Course, it has launched the careers of several future stars who later became household names in National Hunt racing.

Key Trends

Eight of the last 10 winners won on their previous start. Only Slade Steel in 2024 and Labaik in 2017 bucked that pattern.

Nine of the last 10 winners had already landed a Graded hurdle.

Labaik, who scored at 25/1 in 2017, is the only double-figure-priced winner in the past decade. Every other winner started at single-figure odds.

The statistics point towards a runner arriving in peak form, proven at Graded level and well found in the market.

Race Overview

This year’s renewal looks unusually open. In recent seasons there has often been one dominant force, frequently from the Willie Mullins stable, commanding the head of the betting. After the Dublin Racing Festival, the picture appears more evenly balanced.

With no obvious standout, the focus shifts to profile, trends and potential improvement. Below is a look at one of the leading contenders heading the market.

Main Contender
Old Park Star

Form: 323-111
Trainer: Nicky Henderson

The current market leader comes from a yard with a strong record in this race, having previously struck with stars such as Altior, Shishkin and Constitution Hill.

Old Park Star began his career in bumpers under Paul Nicholls before switching yards. Since going over hurdles, his progression has been clear. He made a solid debut at Kempton before raising his level with a win at Cheltenham in December. That effort was followed by an 18-length demolition in the Grade 2 Rossington Main at Haydock.

He fits the key trends, having won last time out and already secured Graded success. With proven form at Cheltenham and strong stable credentials, he is likely to head the betting on the day and attract sustained support from punters.