The 2024 Cheltenham Festival is set for a thrilling start with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Noteworthy contenders in focus include Ballyburn, who although initially a favourite, may feature in a longer race, as well as Mystical Power and Tullyhill. However, horses like Firefox and Mistergif could provide potential upsets with impressive past performances on their side.
This Grade One takes place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday 12th March
Firefox and Mistergif feature in our verdict
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Supreme Novices' Hurdle. (Getty)
The 2024 Cheltenham Festival opens with an almighty bang, as the best novices on the scene take part in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Fans have seen the likes of Marine Nationale and Constitution Hill claim stunning victories in this Grade One the past two years and the 2024 Supreme is shaping up to be another cracker.
Here's our free guide to the 2024 Supreme Novices' Hurdle. You'll find our best betting tips in the verdict section below.
2024 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Tips
Punters have been playing Willie Mullins bingo for the entire season, regarding where Ballyburn will end up at Cheltenham. Mullins' star was beaten on his hurdles debut over two miles, powered to victory over two-and-a-half at Christmas, and then made all to land the Grade One back down over two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival.
When asked, Willie had refused to disclose whether he was leaning more towards the Supreme than the Baring Bingham. However, news emerged on Thursday that Ballyburn was being pointed at the longer of the two races, blowing the Supreme Novices' Hurdle betting wide open.
Ballyburn's stablemate, Mystical Power now tops the betting for the opener on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. Mark Walsh's mount won a decent enough race at Galway on his hurdles bow, before powering to victory in the Moscow Flyer, having been very keen in the earlier stages. This daughter of Annie Power is still very raw and there are worries about how he'll handle the atmosphere at Cheltenham, which is at its most raucous ahead of the Supreme.
Paul Townend now looks set to ride Tullyhill in the Supreme. For all he was impressive when winning a Listed contest the last day, I don't think Tullyhill will jump quick enough for the Supreme - even on ground which is likely to come up in his favour. This mudlark would surely have been Willie's main runner in the Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas, but Tullyhill was working so poorly earlier in the season, he was never entered for that Grade One. If he wins, then fair play to all involved, but he wouldn't be for me at all.
Jeriko Du Reponet drifted in the Supreme betting following an underwhelming win in the Rossington Main. Nicky Henderson's runners often fail to impress in their prep for Cheltenham before running well at the Festival. The form of the Rossington Main has been franked since, so I would give Jeriko Du Reponet a good chance - providing he can produce his best form on what's sure to be soft ground.
We could end up with a field of ten or 12 for this year's Supreme, with Willie Mullins likely to saddle around half of them. Willie spoke glowingly about Mistergif during his stable tour and it was hard not to be impressed by his Irish debut at Limerick. Anotherway is another intended runner for the double-green of Munir & Suede, as is Asian Master, who'll be ridden by the owner's son, Tony Costello.
James Bowen riding Jeriko Du Reponet (green) clear the last to win The Coral Committed To Safer Gambling 'Introductory' Hurdle at Newbury. (Getty)
Instead, Elliott ran his youngster in the Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle, where Firefox finished a fairly tame fourth. That run came at a time when all of Gordon's horses were underperforming. Elliott was quick to put a line through that effort and confirm his six-year-old for the Supreme.
Both of Firefox's wins this season have come on soft ground and he does have a win over Ballyburn on his CV. Yes, Willie rarely has his runners revved up around December time, but it was also Firefox's first start over hurdles and Ballyburn never looked like catching the leader once they straightened for home.
The frenetic nature of the Supreme will suit this strong stayer and Firefox could be there to capitalise, should Ballyburn underperform.
Verdict
I remain keen to back Firefox (Tipped at 10/1 and then 6/1), who certainly shouldn't be written off following the Lawlor's Of Naas. Gordon Elliott's star is the only horse to have beaten Ballyburn thus far. Firefox remains one of the sport's most promising novices.
Willie Mullins doesn't often win a Grade One at Cheltenham with his second or third-string runners, but I have had a small each-way bet on Mistergif (Tipped at 20/1) in the Non-Runner No Bet market. Willie was raving about this five-year-old during his most recent stable tour and Mistergif is sure to shorten plenty in the betting - especially if Ballyburn ends up running in the Baring Bingham.
Best Bet1: Firefox 2024 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Best Bet @7/2 at BOYLE Sports - 10 Units
Best Bet2: Mistergif E/W 2024 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Value Bet @12/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
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