The opening race of the Cheltenham Festival is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. This Grade One for first-season hurdlers has produced many fantastic winners down the years, and winners of the Supreme often go onto achieve great things at future Cheltenham Festivals.
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is one of the most looked-forward-to races in all of horse racing.
Since it's creation in 1946, the Supreme has opened the card on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, and the roar that erupts from the Prestbury Park patrons when the starter sends them on their way can be heard half-way across Gloucestershire.
Originally, the Supreme was separated into three divisions. That idea what whittled down to two divisions by 1948, before organisers decided to go with a solitary Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 1972.
One of the most famous Supreme winners during it's early years was the great Flyingbolt, who secured victory under Pat Taaffe in 1964.
Dual Gold Cup and Grand National winner, L'Escargot won the second division of the Supreme in 1968. Dan Moore's star was followed into the winners' enclosure by other future Cheltenham Festival greats like Bula and Golden Cygnet.
Brave Inca won the Supreme in 2004, and went on to scoop Champion Hurdle glory two years later. Many Supreme winners go on to have successful career's over fences too, with legendary chasers like Vautour, Douvan and Altior scoring in recent seasons.
Since the Supreme Novices' Hurdle was cut down to a single division, Willie Mullins has been the most successful trainer, with the last of his victories coming with Klassical Dream in 2019. Many expert's 2021 Cheltenham Festival tips will feature a Willie Mullins runner in the Supreme.
2020 saw Nicky Henderson win the Supreme for the fifth time, as Shishkin held off Abacadabras in a thrilling fight to the line. Willie Mullins then celebrated yet another Supreme winner, as Appreciate It destroyed his rivals in the 2021 renewal
Supreme Novices' Hurdle Winners
Year
Winner
2023
Marine Nationale
2022
Constitution Hill
2021
Appreciate It
2020
Shishkin
2019
Klassical Dream
2018
Summerville Boy
2017
Labaik
2016
Altior
2015
Douvan
2014
Vautour
2013
Champagne Fever
2012
Cinders And Ashes
2011
Al Ferof
2010
Menorah
2009
Go Native
2008
Captain Cee Bee
2007
Ebaziyan
2006
Noland
2005
Arcalis
2004
Brave Inca
2003
Back In Front
2002
Like A Butterfly
Supreme Novices' Hurdle FAQs
When is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle?
The 2024 Supreme Novices' Hurdle will be run at 1:30pm on Tuesday 12th March.
What is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle?
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is a Grade One jumps race for novice hurdlers. It takes place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival and is run over a two-mile trip.
Who won the Supreme?
The 2023 Supreme Novices' Hurdle was won by Barry Connell's Marine Nationale.
