The Cheltenham Festival opens with one of the most eagerly-awaited races in National Hunt racing, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Many of the sports greats have competed in the opener on Champions Day at Cheltenham, with names like Flyingbolt, Golden Cygnet, Brave Inca and Constitution Hill shining on the roll of honour.
Here's a look at the 2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, betting and run-down of the headline entries. [Updated on 10/2/2026]
2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Old Park Star | 15/8 |
| Talk The Talk | 4/1 |
| El Cairos | 5/1 |
| Mighty Park | 10/1 |
| King Rasko Grey | 12/1 |
| Mydaddypaddy | 14/1 |
| Sober Glory | 14/1 |
| Idaho Sun | 14/1 |
| Bar | 16/1 |
2026 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Entries
Nicky Henderson has saddled the Supreme winner three times in the past decade, and watched Old Park Star jump to the head of the betting earlier this month. Nico de Boinville's mount powered to an excellent victory in the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle at Haydock, and boasts valuable course form, having claimed a convincing novice win at Cheltenham's December Meeting.
Joseph O'Brien's Talk The Talk suffered a final flight tumble just as he hit the front in the Grade One at Leopardstown in December, but righted that wrong with an impressive Grade One triumph at the Dublin Racing Festival. El Cairos also fell at the last when looking the likely winner on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas, and Gordon Elliott's recruit bounced back with an easy maiden success a few days before the Dublin Racing Festival.
Willie Mullins' novice hurdlers are all in a muddle at the moment. Mighty Park established himself as a likely Cheltenham Festival contender with a runaway maiden triumph at Fairyhouse in January, and he's entered in both the Supreme and the Turners. King Rasko Grey was beaten into third behind Talk The Talk and Ballyfad at the Dublin Racing Festival, and also holds entry in both Grade Ones at Cheltenham.
Mydaddypaddy slipped down the Supreme betting after he was beaten in the Formby Novices' Hurdle by Idaho Sun, but both still sit prominently in the market. As does Sober Glory, following an impressive novice success at Newbury recently.
Moscow Flyer winner, Sober and recent maiden scorer, Leader d'Allier could both represent Willie Mullins in the Cheltenham Festival opener. Elliott has Ballyfad entered in the Supreme and the Turners, with the longer of those two options looking more likely. Other potential Supreme runners include Baron Noir for Alan King, Harry Derham's Mossy Fen Road, and Gordon Elliott's Grade One winner Skylight Hustle.
Mydaddypaddy slipped down the Supreme betting after he was beaten in the Formby Novices' Hurdle by Idaho Sun, but both still sit prominently in the market. As does Sober Glory, following an impressive novice success at Newbury recently.
Moscow Flyer winner, Sober and recent maiden scorer, Leader d'Allier could both represent Willie Mullins in the Cheltenham Festival opener. Elliott has Ballyfad entered in the Supreme and the Turners, with the longer of those two options looking more likely. Other potential Supreme runners include Baron Noir for Alan King, Harry Derham's Mossy Fen Road, and Gordon Elliott's Grade One winner Skylight Hustle.