The Cheltenham Festival is only a couple of weeks away and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runs on Tuesday, March 15th. It’s a 2-mile, 110-yard Grade 1 race. Cue Card leads the antepost odds but he isn’t a lock to win based on past years.
The last two Supreme Novices’ Hurdles have resulted in surprise winners. Those who led the odds like Cousin Vinny in 2009 and Dunguib in 2010 lost out. Like Dunguib last year, Cue Card is going for a Champion Bumper-Supreme Novices double this year. The five year old has the form to do it after winning his first two hurdles at Aintree and Cheltenham. His first loss came to Champion Hurdle contender Menorah in his last race at the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December. It was Cue Card’s first defeat in five starts. Twelve of the last 14 Supreme Novices winners won their last outing before the Cheltenham Festival.
The best odds to beat Cue Card come from Nicky Henderson. He has Spirit Son and Sprinter Sacre running, which are second and third in the odds, respectively. Spirit Son is an impressive five year old that won at Exeter last month with a 21-length win over Paul Nicholls’ Cedre Bieu. Sprinter Sacre has four wins in five starts. The five year old has comfortable consecutive wins at Ascot and Ffos Las. Henderson hasn’t won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle since 1992.
Next in the odds is Totesport Trophy winner Recession Proof. The five year old has won three in five starts over hurdles. Zaidpour has been a popular horse to back but the Willie Mullins-trainee finished second at Leopardstown two weeks back. Another horse with decent each-way value is Al Ferof at 14/1 odds.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Outright Odds (provided by Eurobet)
Cue Card: 9/4
Spirit Son: 6/1
Recession Proof: 8/1
Sprinter Sacre: 8/1
Zaidpour: 10/1
Al Ferof: 14/1
Gibb River: 16/1
Hidden Universe: 16/1
Minella Class: 16/1
Rock On Ruby: 16/1
So Young: 16/1
Backspin: 201
Day Of A Lifetime: 20/1
Gagewell Flyer: 20/1
Shot From The Hip: 20/1
First Lieutenant: 25/1
Sailors Warn: 25/1
Sam Winner: 25/1