Cheltenham Ante-Post Analysis: New Market Leader For Supreme Novices' Hurdle

We’re at that time of year when every weekend provides some Cheltenham form pointers, especially as all roads lead to the Festival at all times.

We should learn plenty again this weekend, as we have Cheltenham’s three-day November meeting, but there have been a couple of significant market movers in the last couple of days.

With that in mind, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the more interesting ones. Easily the most significant is the fact that we now have a new market leader for the opening race in March, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Mydaddypaddy - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (9/1 from 14/1)

The punters were clearly impressed by Dan Skelton’s novice after he made a winning start to life over hurdles on Monday. Connections headed up to Carlisle in search of some softer ground and he didn’t come off the bridle to score by four-and-a-half lengths.

It’s possible that there’s been a bit of an overreaction as we’re yet to see the previous ante-post Supreme favourite over hurdles. Willie Mullins’ Bambino Fever was a terrific bumper horse last term and you would imagine she will be just as smart over timber.

It’s also worth noting that he’s been shortened to 25/1 from 40/1 for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle on Day 2, but seeing how short he is for the Supreme, the shorter race looks like a far more likely target.

The exciting Mydaddypaddy, a four-year-old by Walk In The Park, wins as he likes on hurdles debut to remain unbeaten under Rules for @DSkeltonRacing @CarlisleRaces pic.twitter.com/RmfiO7ED5k

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 10, 2025

Only By Night - Grand Annual (12/1 from 14/1)

Gavin Cromwell ’s mare wasn’t beaten far at all when finishing second behind Jango Baie in the Arkle in March and she has been shortened up for a couple of races, after beating some smart horses in the Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas on Sunday.

She stayed on strongly to get the better of Mullins’ Champ Kiely and a strongly run two miles could be right up her street.

Connections will have to look after her handicap mark, but they do have the option of the Champion Chase, for which she is now 33/1 from 40/1.

Champ Kiely - Grand Annual (20/1 from 33/1)

It’ll be interesting to see how Mullins campaigns Champ Kiely this term, as he won a Grade 1 novice chase over 3m1f at the Punchestown Festival in April.

He was narrowly denied by Only By Night at Naas over two miles and is clearly adaptable with regards to trip.

If connections go down the handicap route, the yard has had great success with dropping staying novices back down to two miles.

Gaelic Warrior won a three-mile novice hurdle before winning the Arkle and the Grand Annual could be a good target for Champ Kiely.

Selma De Vary - Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (16/1 from 20/1)

This French raider was competitive in a graded race in France and managed to get off the mark with a very impressive display at Auteuil last week. The heavy ground was no obstacle and she powered through it to score by nine lengths.

Trainer Emmanuel Clayeux’s British runners usually come over for the Cross Country, but she now heads the market and looks like one to keep an eye on this season.