The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is always one of the most exciting races at the Cheltenham Festival, kicking off four days of top-class racing.
It’s a test of speed, stamina, and jumping ability, with young horses looking to make their mark on the sport.
The 2025 renewal is shaping up to be another competitive contest, with several strong contenders already emerging from the early season races.
Trainers like Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson, and Gordon Elliott have a history of winning this race, so their runners will be closely watched.
Punters will be analysing form, looking at how these novices have performed on softer winter ground and whether they have the turn of foot needed for the Cheltenham hill.
Some may have been impressive in bumper races last season, while others are quickly improving over hurdles.
As the festival approaches, key trials will give a clearer picture of which horse could claim the first race of the week.
Potential Runners
At the time of writing, there are still 64 potential runners in contention. Bearing in mind that the race only allows a maximum of 22, it’s clear that there is still a way to go before the final line-up is declared.
That, of course, will play a huge part in which horse you decide to back if you’re partial to a spot of online gambling, particularly as most bookies still have ante-post odds on the race.
That declaration will not take place until the day before the race, but realistically, the field will be established well before then as various horses are withdrawn and aimed elsewhere in the next few weeks.
The top three in the betting markets currently look like this:
Kopek Des Bordes
Kopek Des Bordes has emerged as the clear favourite following a spectacular performance in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle, where he demolished his rivals by 13 lengths.
Willie Mullins’ imposing son of No Risk At All showed significant improvement in his jumping technique and demonstrated an impressive turn of foot without Paul Townend needing to apply pressure.
This commanding victory led to his odds being slashed, making him the current market leader.
Romeo Coolio
From trainer Gordon Elliott comes Romeo Coolio who sits prominently in the betting markets as the current second favourite.
Winner of the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in December, he was the dominant force in the race beating Bleu De Vassy but a solid nine lengths.
It was his first attempt at a Grade 1 and the win promptly made him one of the Supreme Novice Hurdle favourites.
He may have drifted a little in the betting markets but that price movement came in direct response to Kopek Des Bordes’ impressive showing at Leopardstown, rather than any poor performance of his own.
Salvator Mundi
The more experienced of the three, Salvator Mundi, also from Willie Mullins, has four hurdle stars under his belt.
His win, last time out, in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in January, boosted his credentials, however, unlike his potential rivals, he has yet to score a Grade 1 win.
In terms of odds, he is on a par with Romeo Coolio, though I would think that Gordon Elliott’s charage has the edge given his recent form.
Also In The Mix
Depending on which bookmaker you usually place your bets with, you may also see Lulamba in the mix amongst the top three in the betting.
Odds range from as short as 5/1 to as long as 12/1 so clearly he is causing a few problems when it comes to determining his chances in the Supreme.
Trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by Mrs J Donnelly (also owns Salvatori Mundi), Lulamba is two for two over hurdles with wins at both Auteil and Ascot since October.
And while on the face of it that is impressive, the races themselves were not of the calibre of those at either Leopardstown or Punchestown suggesting that Kopek Des Bordes and Romeo Coolio still have the edge in this race.
Trends For Past Winners
Five and six-year-olds have dominated recent renewals, with 15 of the last 16 winners falling within this age bracket.
Four-year-olds have struggled significantly, failing to win in the 21st century and only one seven-year-old, Appreciate It, has entered the winner’s enclosure since 2009.
24 of the last 28 winners had won their previous race and Irish-trained horses have claimed 15 victories since 2000.
Market leaders perform consistently well, with 11 of the past 12 winners starting at single-figure odds.
Ultimately, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle typically favours horses with proven form, with the betting market providing reliable indicators.
Only one winner in the last 12 renewals started at double-figure odds. That was Cinders and Ashes from Donald McCain who went off at 10/1 in 2012, highlighting the importance of market confidence.
That means you can whittle down the possibilities to those who are either five or six, have won last time out, are short in the betting markets with an added bump if they are Irish trained.
The problem with those trends is that all three at the top of the betting fulfil that criteria!
Lulumba, being a 4-year-old mare trained by Henderson with odds of around 12/1 misses out on three of the four criteria.
Time Will Tell
The 2025 race promises to be a fascinating battle, with a mix of raw talent, tactical speed, and the challenge of handling the famous Cheltenham hill.
Kopek Des Bordes, Romeo Coolio, and Salvator Mundi have all shown the form to be leading contenders, but as history has proven, the Supreme can occasionally throw up surprises.
The ground conditions, the pace of the race, and how these young horses handle the big occasion will all play a part in deciding the winner.
Whether it’s a favourite living up to expectations or an outsider making a name for itself, the first race of the festival always delivers drama.
By the time the tapes go up, the talking will be done, and it will be down to the horses and jockeys to prove themselves on the big stage.
