Everybody loves the SkyBet Supreme Novices Hurdle. It’s the first race of The Cheltenham Festival and is always remembered for unleashing the fantastic Cheltenham Roar as the tape goes up to signal the start of four days of unrivalled championship National Hunt racing. Everybody should also love SkyBet too! For this race and all first races of The Cheltenham Festival, they are offering an amazing money back guarantee if your horse is beaten (up to £20 maximum). That’s right. Your money returned if your horse loses and it’s cash, not free bets! However, it would be nice to pick the winner so we’ll take a look at the high profiled runners and we start with an enticing combination of Willie Mullins and champion jockey Ruby Walsh.
MELON
French imports trained by Willie Mullins have a habit of doing all right at The Festival. Melon has had just the one run over hurdles at Leopardstown and arriving there with a tall reputation from France, he more than impressed with an effortless win, albeit a maiden hurdle. Obviously, he is clearly unexposed and should be open to improvement. Add the combination of Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh and Mullins’ excellent record in the race (4 out of the last ten including three of the last 4 renewals) and you have a horse that at least warrants respect. I’m going for this one simply because I’m never keen to go up against Mullins with unexposed up and coming young hurdlers. Having also watched his 4 runs in France, he looks speedy and clearly has decent stamina claims. However, there is no head scratching for choice of bookmaker: Sky Bet 4/1 NRNB with your stake returned if he’s beaten (max bet £20). Conveniently, this is also the best price on offer at time of writing!
Melon lacks experience but has the ability to land the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival according to trainer Willie Mullins
BALLYANDY
This Nigel Twiston-Davies trained 6 year old comes into the race with decent form this season, the highlight being his victory in the highly valuable Betfair Hurdle handicap at Newbury in February. That was a major improvement on previous efforts so certainly deserves respect. However, I would be concerned with the fact that he has been held twice by race rival Moon Racer, including the main trial for this race at Cheltenham last November. If you’re still convinced, there is a best price 5/1 NRNB about him at Boylesports - Bet Here! although the race sponsors Sky Bet - Bet Here! still hold the value offer at 9/2 with stake returned if he doesn’t oblige.
Nigel Twiston-Davies has high hopes for Ballyandy in the Supreme Novices Hurdle
MOON RACER
This 2015 Cheltenham Festival bumper winner is for me the biggest danger to the Mullins Melon party. Lightly raced (he’s only run 6 times under rules) for his age, he’s a tough horse to beat and loves Cheltenham. As mentioned, he’s got Ballyandy accounted for and his connections have clearly primed him for either this or The Champion Hurdle where he also has an entry. I would have preferred him to have had a run recently as previous winners at The Festival have usually needed it. However, he goes well fresh and will certainly run a big race either way. Again, head to SkyBet - Bet Here! for 5/1 NRNB and the great money back offer.
Moon Racer loves Cheltenham but his participation will be decided last minute with The Champion Hurdle also on the agenda
NEON WOLF
This Harry Fry trained hurdler has certainly caught the attention of ITV’s betting guru, Matt Chapman, who described him as a “machine” and profoundly described him “as close to Douvan as being close to Douvan..”. Steady on there. Yes, he’s a decent enough hurdler and has proved himself against minor company in modest events this season so far. Clearly open to improvement and should not be discounted but would probably prefer softer ground which doesn’t look likely with dry weather forecasted for this weekend. 4/1 best with Sky Bet - Bet Here!.
THE REST
Not much to mention amongst the bigger priced entries. Statistically, this has been a good race for runners at the shorter price end of the market and I’m confident the winner will come from one of the entries mentioned. Willie Mullins has a string of entries aside from Melon, of which Bunk Off Early (13/2 Sky Bet - Bet Here!) is the most respected.
THE VERDICT
A tough one to call. Several in with a great chance but I am marginally opting for the talking horse in Melon to improve on his very impressive one run over hurdles so far.
THE SKYBET SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE, 1330 CHELTENHAM, TUESDAY 14TH MARCH:
- MELON, TO WIN: 4/1 WITH SKY BET (NRNB) - Bet Here!
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