Neil Morrice, our man on the ground in the UK, brings you his preview on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Race 1) on Day 1 of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Click here to bet now on this race with Hollywoodbets!
(Hold your phone horizontally (on its side) to view the full race information below)
|
No
|
Horse
|
Odds
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
|
1
|
Al Dancer (FR)
|
4/1
|
Sam Twiston-Davies
|
Nigel Twiston-Davies
|
|
2
|
Angels Breath (IRE)
|
4/1
|
Nico de Boinville
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
3
|
Aramon (GER)
|
14/1
|
P. Townend
|
W. P. Mullins
|
|
4
|
Beaufort West (IRE)
|
100/1
|
Robbie Power
|
Colin Tizzard
|
|
5
|
Brandon Castle
|
50/1
|
Bryony Frost
|
Neil King
|
|
6
|
Elixir De Nutz (FR)
|
8/1
|
Tom O’Brien
|
Colin Tizzard
|
|
7
|
Felix Desjy (FR)
|
20/1
|
Sean Flanagan
|
Gordon Elliott
|
|
8
|
Grand Sancy (FR)
|
10/1
|
Harry Cobden
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
9
|
Itchy Feet (FR)
|
33/1
|
Gavin Sheehan
|
Olly Murphy
|
|
10
|
Klassical Dream (FR)
|
11/2
|
R. Walsh
|
W. P. Mullins
|
|
11
|
Mister Fisher (IRE)
|
10/1
|
James Bowen
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
12
|
Normal Norman
|
100/1
|
Paddy Brennan
|
John Ryan
|
|
13
|
The Big Bite (IRE)
|
50/1
|
Noel Fehily
|
Tom George
|
|
14
|
The Flying Sofa (FR)
|
100/1
|
Jamie Moore
|
Gary Moore
|
|
15
|
Thomas Darby (IRE)
|
20/1
|
Richard Johnson
|
Olly Murphy
|
|
16
|
Tokay Dokey (IRE)
|
50/1
|
Harry Skelton
|
Dan Skelton
|
|
17
|
Vision D’honneur (FR)
|
16/1
|
J. W. Kennedy
|
Gordon Elliott
|
|
18
|
Fakir D’oudairies (FR)
|
11/2
|
J. J. Slevin
|
Joseph Patrick O’Brien
|
Hollywoodbets will be offering 4 fixed odds places.
Betting last updated on Monday 11th March 2019.
Betting is subject to change. E&OE.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Preview
Race 1 – 15:30
Tuesday 12th March 2019
Grade 1 – 2m 87y – £70,337
With no quarter taken or given this is one of the most fiercely contested and run races of the entire jumps season, giving pointers to the emerging challengers for the following season’s Champion Hurdle.
Owner Dai Walters might find it difficult which way to shout if his market leaders AL DANCER and ANGELS BREATH approach the final flight at the front of the field.
Al Dancer has headed the market since his clear cut success in the Betfair Handicap Hurdle which was switched to Ascot after its normal Newbury date was a casualty of the equine flu scare.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’s hooded grey had earlier powered up the Cheltenham hill to score on his first run in a handicap and according to connections everything has gone to plan. He’s proven in testing conditions and is likely to get the strong pace that will enable him to settle in this field.
View Neil Morrice’s interview with Nigel Twiston-Davies at the bottom of this post.
 |
| Al Dancer in a tranquil mood ahead of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle |
Angels Breath cost a king’s ransom, and with that came from Ireland with a huge reputation on his head. He impressed on his debut over jumps but was turned over when odds-on on ground faster than ideal at Kempton three weeks ago.
Since then he has been working the house down on Henderson’s gallops and the forecast extra rain is what he wants.
ELIXIR DE NUTZ will ensure there’s no hanging about for the Colin Tizzard/Tom O’Brien combination. He’s on a four-timer but hasn’t run since early in the New Year.
GRAND SANCY has improved as the season’s gone on and will enjoy the strong gallop from which pilot Harry Cobden will look to make his bid late.
In contrast, former useful Flat handicapper BRANDON CASTLE will be prominent from the off, and at a huge price shouldn’t be underestimated.
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish
1-2-6-8-5
|
1st
|
:
|
1
|
–
|
Al Dancer (FR)
|
|
2nd
|
:
|
2
|
–
|
Angels Breath (IRE)
|
|
3rd
|
:
|
6
|
–
|
Elixir De Nutz (FR)
|
|
4th
|
:
|
8
|
–
|
Grand Sancy (FR)
|
|
5th
|
:
|
5
|
–
|
Brandon Castle
|
View Neil Morrice’s previews for the following Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Races below:
Race 1 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Race 2 – Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase
Race 3 – Ultima Handicap Chase
Race 4 – Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
Race 5 – OLBG Mares’ Hurdle
Race 6 – Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase
Race 7 – National Hunt Challenge Cup
View Neil Morrice’s interview with Nigel Twiston-Davies below:
