Ben Hutton of Racing Post believes that there is added spice this year because of Dunguib, however, from an in-running point of view there is very little that is worthy of mention. It looks to be the case that there is only one front runner, namely Cootehill, but it is highly unlikely that Paddy Brennan will be allowed an uncontested lead as this is the Supreme Novices’, and the adrenalin will ensure the gallop is a strong one.

The in-running angle of most interest could come via Dunguib, as he hasn’t looked a natural jumper of hurdles, and if he hits one or two then he’s likely to go bigger than odds-on during the race. If he is good enough, as he could well be, Dunguib could be able to defy a couple of jarring errors, and therefore his most ardent fans who keep the faith could end up getting an excellent price in-running.

Front runners: Cootehill.

Tracking leaders: Blackstairmountain, Dan Breen, Fiulin (could lead), Flat Out (could lead), Hollins, Menorah, Oscar Whisky, Vino Griego.

Mid-division: Chain Of Command, Far Away So Close (can race prominently), Mister Wall Street, Dream Esteem.

Held-up: Dunguib (can race prominently), General Miller, Get Me Out Of Here, Spring Jim, Takestan.

1.30 Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2m 1/2f

• Dunguib 4/5
• Get Me Out Of Here 9/2
• Blackstairmountain 10/1
• Menorah 10/1
• Oscar Whiskey 10/1
• Dan Breen 20/1
• Flat Out 20/1
• General Miller 25/1
• Vino Griego 66/1
• Spring Jim 100/1
• Cootehill 100/1
• Far Away So Close 100/1
• Fiulin 100/1
• Dream Esteem 100/1
• Chain of Command 150/1
• Hollins 200/1
• Mister Wall Street 200/1
• Takestan 200/1

Related posts:

1. Spinal Research New Sponsor
2. 1.30 Supreme Novices Hurdle Results ~ 2m 110y
3. Tuesday 16th March Race Guide & Odds

Yes, the much anticipated Cheltenham Festival begins today and what a line-up we have to look forward to. Will it be the year of Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh or can either of them be stopped in their winning tracks?

To make things as easy as possible for our customers and visitors we have all the races of the Cheltenham Festival scheduled by day as well as additional pages which go in to more detail about specific races which draw the most attention.

The first race which is the Supreme Novices Hurdle will be a cracker of an opening with Dunguib currently the favourite. Every pundit in the place is tipping him to win, so much so, that there’s a fantastic Money-Back Special on offer from Paddy Power Bookmakers on all losing win bets should Dunguib romp home, so you should definitely check that one out.

Past winners include Go Native in 2009 and Captain Cee Bee in 2008. The Cheltenham Festival begins on Tuesday 16th March and there are six races scheduled which are as follows:

1.30 Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2m 1/2f

• Dunguib 10/11
• Get Me Out Of Here 4/1
• Oscar Whiskey 9/1
• Blackstairmountain 10/1
• Menorah 10/1
• Flat Out 18/1
• Dan Breen 20/1
• General Miller 22/1
• Vino Griego 66/1
• Fiulin 80/1
• Spring Jim 100/1
• Cootehill 100/1
• Far Away So Close 100/1
• Dream Esteem 100/1
• Chain of Command 150/1
• Hollins 200/1
• Mister Wall Street 200/1
• Takestan 200/1

2.05 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase 2m

• Captain Cee Bee 11/4
• Somersby 4/1
• Sizing Europe 11/2
• Sports Line 13/2
• Riverside Theatre 15/2
• Osana 12/1
• Kangaroo Court 20/1
• Woolcombe Folly 22/1
• Mad Max 25/1
• Quiscover Fontaine 40/1
• Im Delilah 40/1
• Fosters Cross 50/1

2.40 William Hill Trophy Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 1/2f

• Bensalem 11/2
• The Package 6/1
• Theatrical Moment 11/1
• Ogee 11/1
• Character Building 12/1
• Exmoor Ranger 14/1
• Razor Royale 14/1
• The Tother One 14/1
• Niche Market 16/1
• Casey Jones 16/1
• Nenuphar Collonges 20/1
• Kicks For Free 20/1
• New Alco 22/1
• Tatenen 25/1
• Joe Lively 28/1
• Chief Dan George 28/1
• Beat the Boys 33/1
• Comply or Die 33/1
• Officier De Reserve 33/1
• Offshore Account 33/1
• Stan 50/1
• Bible Lord 50/1
• Knowhere 50/1
• Ollie Magern 66/1

3.20 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 2m 1/2f

• Go Native 4/1
• Solwhit 6/1
• Punjabi 7/1
• Binocular 7/1
• Khyber Kim 8/1
• Medermit 9/1
• Celestial Halo 9/1
• Zaynar 10/1
• Starluck 12/1
• Won In The Dark 50/1
• Jumbo Rio 80/1
• Raise Your Heart 200/1

4.00 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 7f

• Garde Champetre 2/1
• L’Ami 10/3
• Sizing Australia 9/2
• Monkerhostin 12/1
• Another Jewel 14/1
• Drombeag 18/1
• Silver Birch 20/1
• Freneys Well 25/1
• Lacdoudal 25/1
• Double Dizzy 25/1
• Heads Onthe Ground 33/1
• A New Story 33/1
• Preists Leap 40/1
• Cornish Sett 40/1
• Tawnies 50/1
• Oceanos Des Obeaux 66/1

4.40 David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle Race 2m 4f

• Quevega 7/4
• Volver La Vedette 7/4
• No One Tells Me 10/1
• Sway 12/1
• Easter Legend 16/1
• Zarinava 20/1
• Carole’s Legacy 22/1
• Stravinsky Dance 25/1
• Pepite de Soleil 25/1
• Argento Luna 33/1
• Amber Brook 33/1
• Aura About You 33/1
• Arctic Magic 50/1
• Alasi 100/1
• Here Comes Sally 100/1
• Just Beware 250/1
• Princess Rainbow 250/1

Related posts:

1. Maximum 12 For Arkle
2. Arkle Chase Runners and Odds
3. Friday 19th March Race Guide

As of today, Wednesday 24th February, Get Me Out Of Here, Menorah, Oscar Whisky and Blackstairmountain are still confident that this race may not be as clear cut as anticipated and the ante-post odds on them are pretty good. In fact, Paddy Power Bookmakers is offering odds as high as 14/1 on some of them making them very good each-way bets, should they remain in contention on the day.

There are still 66 horses registered for the race which clearly means that the vast majority of them will not be able to compete and some are engaged in more than one race in the festival such as Get Me Out Of Here, the Totesport Trophy winner, who is also down for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle for which there are still 69 acceptors. That particular race is headed by the ante-post favourite Rite Of Passage, who finished third to Dunguib in last year’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Despite many of the Cheltenham races having very good ante-post odds, remember that a huge amount of the horses have been entered into multiple races as their trainers and owners decide which of them offers the best prospects for a win so once the final declarations have been made you may find that the odds have been shortened considerably.

Related posts:

1. Go Native £1m Bid
2. 1.30 Supreme Novices Hurdle Results ~ 2m 110y
3. Spinal Research New Sponsor

As it’s the opener, it is traditionally greeted by the Cheltenham Roar, a loud cheer generated by the crowds of onlookers to get the festival under way. Originally sponsored by Lloyds Bank in 1974, it was known as the Lloyds Bank Champion Novices’ Hurdle. The current title originated in 1978, when Waterford Crystal started to back the race, which they did until 1990. Sponsorship has changed a few times since the latest of which was William Hill but is now Spinal Research.

This year’s Supreme Novices Hurdle will be worth a total of £100,000. There are plenty of horses registered for the race and the ante-post odds with Paddy Power are below…

1.30 Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2m 1/2f

• Dunguib 4/5
• Get Me Out Of Here 9/2
• Blackstairmountain 10/1
• Menorah 10/1
• Oscar Whiskey 10/1
• Dan Breen 20/1
• Flat Out 20/1
• General Miller 25/1
• Vino Griego 66/1
• Spring Jim 100/1
• Cootehill 100/1
• Far Away So Close 100/1
• Fiulin 100/1
• Dream Esteem 100/1
• Chain of Command 150/1
• Hollins 200/1
• Mister Wall Street 200/1
• Takestan 200/1

Related posts:

1. Tuesday 16th March Race Guide & Odds
2. 1.30 Supreme Novices Hurdle Results ~ 2m 110y
3. Spinal Research New Sponsor