The roar is famous. The job is less romantic: decide which young hurdler can put its ability to work when the speed rises and the room disappears. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle opens the Festival, and an unbeaten record can look very different once a horse has to hold its position among better rivals. Start with how a contender races, then work backwards through what it has beaten.
What sort of test is the Supreme?
This is the short-distance Grade 1 novice hurdle on the Old Course. Novice status tells you about a horse’s eligibility, not how polished it will be. One runner may have plenty of experience in competitive fields; another may have learned very little from winning small races easily.
The useful question is whether its jumping remains fluent when asked to go quicker. A horse which repeatedly loses half a length at its hurdles might recover that ground against weaker opposition. Recovering it here can take energy it needs for the finish.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Stats & trends.
Go beyond the winner. Study the price, the preparation and the next run. The detail is yours to explore.
Winners returned as favourite, joint or co-favourite
calculated from listed winner records
Above: shares calculated from the listed winners. These are historical characteristics, not a runner’s chance of winning.
Every winner. Every detail.
2015–2026 · Follow the same horses from their preparation to what happened next.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Age | Weight | Price | Runners | Fav. position | Rating | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | Wins | ||||||||||
| 2026 | Old Park Star | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 6 | 11-7 | 15/8 F | 11 | 1st | 151 | 3 | 3 |
| 2025 | Kopek Des Bordes | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 5 | 11-7 | 4/6 F | 11 | 1st | 157 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | Slade Steel | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead | 6 | 11-7 | 7/2 3F | 11 | 8th | 147 | 3 | 2 |
| 2023 | Marine Nationale | Michael O'Sullivan | Barry Connell | 6 | 11-7 | 9/2 3F | 14 | 2nd | 150 | 4 | 4 |
| 2022 | Constitution Hill | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 5 | 11-7 | 9/4 JF | 9 | 1st/F | 148 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | Appreciate It | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 7 | 11-7 | 8/11 F | 8 | 1st | 153 | 3 | 3 |
| 2020 | Shishkin | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 6 | 11-7 | 6/1 3F | 15 | 4th | 153 | 3 | 2 |
| 2019 | Klassical Dream | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 5 | 11-7 | 6/1 3F | 16 | 4th/10th | 154 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | Summerville Boy | Noel Fehily | Tom George | 6 | 11-7 | 9/1 3F | 19 | 11th | 150 | 4 | 1 |
| 2017 | Labaik | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott | 6 | 11-7 | 25/1 | 14 | 2nd/4th | 144 | 5 | 2 |
| 2016 | Altior | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 6 | 11-7 | 4/1 2F | 14 | 2nd | 155 | 4 | 4 |
| 2015 | Douvan | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 5 | 11-7 | 2/1 F | 12 | 1st | 155 | 2 | 2 |
2026Old Park StarAGE 6 · 11-715/8 F
- Jockey
- Nico de Boinville
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 15/8 F
- Runners
- 11
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 151
- Season R / W
- 3/3
2025Kopek Des BordesAGE 5 · 11-74/6 F
- Jockey
- Paul Townend
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 5
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 4/6 F
- Runners
- 11
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 157
- Season R / W
- 2/2
2024Slade SteelAGE 6 · 11-77/2 3F
- Jockey
- Rachael Blackmore
- Trainer
- Henry De Bromhead
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 7/2 3F
- Runners
- 11
- Favourite position
- 8th
- Rating
- 147
- Season R / W
- 3/2
2023Marine NationaleAGE 6 · 11-79/2 3F
- Jockey
- Michael O'Sullivan
- Trainer
- Barry Connell
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 9/2 3F
- Runners
- 14
- Favourite position
- 2nd
- Rating
- 150
- Season R / W
- 4/4
2022Constitution HillAGE 5 · 11-79/4 JF
- Jockey
- Nico de Boinville
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 5
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 9/4 JF
- Runners
- 9
- Favourite position
- 1st/F
- Rating
- 148
- Season R / W
- 2/2
2021Appreciate ItAGE 7 · 11-78/11 F
- Jockey
- Paul Townend
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 8/11 F
- Runners
- 8
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 153
- Season R / W
- 3/3
2020ShishkinAGE 6 · 11-76/1 3F
- Jockey
- Nico de Boinville
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 6/1 3F
- Runners
- 15
- Favourite position
- 4th
- Rating
- 153
- Season R / W
- 3/2
2019Klassical DreamAGE 5 · 11-76/1 3F
- Jockey
- Ruby Walsh
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 5
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 6/1 3F
- Runners
- 16
- Favourite position
- 4th/10th
- Rating
- 154
- Season R / W
- 2/2
2018Summerville BoyAGE 6 · 11-79/1 3F
- Jockey
- Noel Fehily
- Trainer
- Tom George
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 9/1 3F
- Runners
- 19
- Favourite position
- 11th
- Rating
- 150
- Season R / W
- 4/1
2017LabaikAGE 6 · 11-725/1
- Jockey
- Jack Kennedy
- Trainer
- Gordon Elliott
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 25/1
- Runners
- 14
- Favourite position
- 2nd/4th
- Rating
- 144
- Season R / W
- 5/2
2016AltiorAGE 6 · 11-74/1 2F
- Jockey
- Nico de Boinville
- Trainer
- Nicky Henderson
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 4/1 2F
- Runners
- 14
- Favourite position
- 2nd
- Rating
- 155
- Season R / W
- 4/4
2015DouvanAGE 5 · 11-72/1 F
- Jockey
- Ruby Walsh
- Trainer
- Willie Mullins
- Age
- 5
- Weight
- 11-7
- Price
- 2/1 F
- Runners
- 12
- Favourite position
- 1st
- Rating
- 155
- Season R / W
- 2/2
| Year | Winner | Cheltenham | Distance Form (15-17f) | Hurdle | Chase | Previous race | Days since run | Previous result | Grade Wins | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Runs | Wins | Grade 1 wins | Grade 2 wins | Grade 3 wins | |||||
| 2026 | Old Park Star | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Rossington Main Novices Hurdle (Haydock) | 52 | 1 / 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Kopek Des Bordes | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Leopardstown) | 37 | 1 / 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Slade Steel | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Leopardstown) | 37 | 2 / 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Marine Nationale | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Fairyhouse) | 100 | 1 / 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Constitution Hill | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Tolworth Hurdle (Sandown) | 66 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Appreciate It | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Chanelle Novice Hurdle (Leopardstown) | 37 | 1 / 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | Shishkin | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sidney Banks Novice Hurdle (Huntingdon) | 33 | 1 / 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Klassical Dream | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Chanelle Novice Hurdle (Leopardstown) | 37 | 1 / 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Summerville Boy | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Tolworth Hurdle (Sandown) | 66 | 1 / 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Labaik | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Novice Hurdle (Naas) | 16 | 6 / 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 | Altior | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Novice Hurdle (Kempton) | 80 | 1 / 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | Douvan | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Moscow Flyer Hurdle (Punchestown) | 59 | 1 / 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2026Old Park StarBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 6/3
- Hurdle R / W
- 3/3
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Rossington Main Novices Hurdle (Haydock)
- Days since run
- 52
- Previous result
- 1 / 6
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/1/0
2025Kopek Des BordesBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 3/3
- Hurdle R / W
- 2/2
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 37
- Previous result
- 1 / 10
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 1/0/0
2024Slade SteelBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 4/2
- Hurdle R / W
- 3/2
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 37
- Previous result
- 2 / 10
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/1/0
2023Marine NationaleBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 4/4
- Hurdle R / W
- 2/2
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Fairyhouse)
- Days since run
- 100
- Previous result
- 1 / 8
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 1/0/0
2022Constitution HillBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 2/2
- Hurdle R / W
- 2/2
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Tolworth Hurdle (Sandown)
- Days since run
- 66
- Previous result
- 1 / 6
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 1/0/0
2021Appreciate ItBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 5/4
- Hurdle R / W
- 3/3
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Chanelle Novice Hurdle (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 37
- Previous result
- 1 / 8
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 2/1/0
2020ShishkinBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 3/2
- Hurdle R / W
- 3/2
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Sidney Banks Novice Hurdle (Huntingdon)
- Days since run
- 33
- Previous result
- 1 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/0/0
2019Klassical DreamBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 7/2
- Hurdle R / W
- 7/2
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Chanelle Novice Hurdle (Leopardstown)
- Days since run
- 37
- Previous result
- 1 / 7
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 1/0/0
2018Summerville BoyBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 2/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 5/2
- Hurdle R / W
- 4/1
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Tolworth Hurdle (Sandown)
- Days since run
- 66
- Previous result
- 1 / 5
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 1/0/0
2017LabaikBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 4/2
- Hurdle R / W
- 5/2
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Novice Hurdle (Naas)
- Days since run
- 16
- Previous result
- 6 / 7
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/0/1
2016AltiorBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 1/1
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 7/5
- Hurdle R / W
- 4/4
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Novice Hurdle (Kempton)
- Days since run
- 80
- Previous result
- 1 / 10
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/1/0
2015DouvanBEFORE THE RACE
- Cheltenham R / W
- 0/0
- Distance Form (15-17f) R / W
- 4/3
- Hurdle R / W
- 4/3
- Chase R / W
- 0/0
- Previous race
- Moscow Flyer Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Days since run
- 59
- Previous result
- 1 / 6
- Grade Wins 1 / 2 / 3
- 0/1/0
| Year | Winner | Next run | Date | Result | Rest-of-season runs | Rest-of-season results | Next Cheltenham Festival run | Festival result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Old Park Star | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
| 2025 | Kopek Des Bordes | Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown) | Apr-25 | 4 / 6 | 1 | 0 wins, 0 placed | Arkle Chase | 2 / 6 |
| 2024 | Slade Steel | Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown) | Apr-24 | 3 / 9 | 1 | 0 wins, 1 placed | - | - |
| 2023 | Marine Nationale | Beginners Chase (Leopardstown) | Dec-23 | 1 / 14 | 0 | - | - | - |
| 2022 | Constitution Hill | Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle) | Nov-22 | 1 / 5 | 0 | - | Champion Hurdle | 1 / 7 |
| 2021 | Appreciate It | Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham) | Mar-22 | 7 / 10 | 0 | - | Champion Hurdle | 7 / 10 |
| 2020 | Shishkin | Beginners Chase (Kempton) | Nov-20 | 1 / 4 | 0 | - | Arkle Chase | 1 / 5 |
| 2019 | Klassical Dream | Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown) | Apr-19 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2018 | Summerville Boy | Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle) | Dec-18 | 4 / 5 | 0 | - | - | - |
| 2017 | Labaik | Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown) | Apr-17 | 7 / 7 | 2 | 0 wins, 0 placed | - | - |
| 2016 | Altior | Starlight Novices Chase (Kempton) | Nov-16 | 1 / 2 | 0 | - | Arkle Chase | 1 / 9 |
| 2015 | Douvan | Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown) | Apr-15 | 1 / 6 | 1 | 1 win, 0 placed | Arkle Chase | 1 / 7 |
2026Old Park StarTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- -
- Date
- -
- Result
- -
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2025Kopek Des BordesTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-25
- Result
- 4 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Arkle Chase
- Festival result
- 2 / 6
2024Slade SteelTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-24
- Result
- 3 / 9
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 1 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2023Marine NationaleTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Beginners Chase (Leopardstown)
- Date
- Dec-23
- Result
- 1 / 14
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2022Constitution HillTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle)
- Date
- Nov-22
- Result
- 1 / 5
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- Champion Hurdle
- Festival result
- 1 / 7
2021Appreciate ItTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham)
- Date
- Mar-22
- Result
- 7 / 10
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- Champion Hurdle
- Festival result
- 7 / 10
2020ShishkinTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Beginners Chase (Kempton)
- Date
- Nov-20
- Result
- 1 / 4
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- Arkle Chase
- Festival result
- 1 / 5
2019Klassical DreamTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-19
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2018Summerville BoyTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle)
- Date
- Dec-18
- Result
- 4 / 5
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2017LabaikTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-17
- Result
- 7 / 7
- Season runs after
- 2
- Season results after
- 0 wins, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- -
- Festival result
- -
2016AltiorTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Starlight Novices Chase (Kempton)
- Date
- Nov-16
- Result
- 1 / 2
- Season runs after
- 0
- Season results after
- -
- Next Festival run
- Arkle Chase
- Festival result
- 1 / 9
2015DouvanTHE NEXT CHAPTER
- Next run
- Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown)
- Date
- Apr-15
- Result
- 1 / 6
- Season runs after
- 1
- Season results after
- 1 win, 0 placed
- Next Festival run
- Arkle Chase
- Festival result
- 1 / 7
The winner profile.
Calculated from the detailed winner records above. Missing values are excluded from each calculation, so denominators can differ.
| Category | Profile angle | Winners | Share of winners | Study list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarketTABLE CALCULATION | Started favourite / joint or co-favourite | 5/12 | ||
| MarketTABLE CALCULATION | Top three in the betting | 11/12 | ||
| Recent formTABLE CALCULATION | Won previous start | 10/12 | ||
| CourseTABLE CALCULATION | Had already won at Cheltenham | 2/12 | ||
| CourseTABLE CALCULATION | Had already run at Cheltenham | 4/12 | ||
| DistanceTABLE CALCULATION | Had won over the listed distance band | 12/12 | ||
| DistanceTABLE CALCULATION | Had run over the listed distance band | 12/12 | ||
| SeasonTABLE CALCULATION | Had at least one win that season | 12/12 | ||
| SeasonTABLE CALCULATION | Had at least three runs that season | 8/12 | ||
| Recent formTABLE CALCULATION | Ran within the previous 60 days | 8/12 | ||
| RatingTABLE CALCULATION | Rated 150 or higher | 9/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 5 | 4/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 6 | 7/12 | ||
| AgeTABLE CALCULATION | Aged 7 | 1/12 |
Follow-up summary
Reported follow-up figures remain distinct from the detailed winner tables.
Won on next start
Placed on next start
Raced again that season
Won again that season
Placed again that season
Next-start destinations
| Destination | Went | Won | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown) | 5/12 | 2/5 | 1 |
| Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle) | 2/12 | 1/2 | 0 |
Festival returns
| Destination | Went | Won | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkle Chase | 4/12 | 3/4 | 1 |
| Champion Hurdle | 2/12 | 1/2 | 0 |
Sample notes and interpretation
- R / W = runs / wins before the Festival race. A dash is a missing or unreported value, not zero. Price suffixes: F = favourite, JF = joint favourite, CF = co-favourite, 2F / 3F = second / third favourite.
- The favourite-position column records the listed result of the favourite(s). Price suffixes identify the winner’s position in the market. These fields are retained independently.
- All listed rows are retained, including blank years. Winner counts exclude rows with no named winner. Later missing results do not imply a loss.
- Summary ratios are retained as reported and may not reconcile with every detailed table cell. They are displayed separately from calculations made from the winner records. A high winner share is not a selection strike rate or evidence of profit.
- “Won” and “placed” are retained as separate reported outcomes. No combined place rate or profit is inferred.
Read the form beyond the winning margin
Watch the early stages of the preparation races. Was the horse relaxed, or did its rider spend half the contest trying to settle it? Did it make its own running without pressure? Did the opposition actually make it race?
Then look at what the beaten horses did next. A wide-margin win is stronger evidence when the field has substance. Conversely, a narrow defeat in a genuinely strong race can be useful form. Keep the performance and the result as two separate notes.
The final shortlist
Compare the likely pace, the ground and the demands of the finish. A horse stepping down from a longer trip needs enough speed to hold its place; a keen two-miler needs to conserve enough energy to see it out. Previous Cheltenham experience can help answer those questions, but it is not a substitute for ability.
Once declarations are available, write down the main uncertainty for each leading runner. If the market is asking you to pay for certainty, it is worth knowing exactly which part of the case remains an assumption.
Previous renewals
The 2027 runners
Declarations will settle the field.
The 2027 runners are not yet declared. A past winner or a horse quoted in an ante-post market is not a confirmed runner. Check entries, connections’ published plans and the final declarations before treating a horse as part of this field.
No live prices or confirmed 2027 runner list are presented in this guide. Reviewed 11 November 2026.
Your questions, answered
Is the Supreme the first race at Cheltenham?
It is the Festival opener in the published 2027 running order, provisionally scheduled for 13:20 on Tuesday.
Does a Supreme contender need a previous Cheltenham win?
No. Relevant course experience is evidence to assess, not an entry requirement or an automatic advantage.
Sources & editorial notes
Reviewed 11 November 2026. Interpretation is Puntrr’s; factual results and conditions are linked below.