2023 Cheltenham Novice Hurdle Race Early Lineup

Tuesday's update provided the new batch of early applications for the Cheltenham Festival highlighting the four Grade 1 novice hurdle participants.

Supreme Novices

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle acting as the traditional start of the Festival with 67 names vying for victory, led by early standout Facile Vega (10/11).

Last year, Willie Mullins’ horse dazzled the audience at the Champion Bumper, going unbeaten and holds strong odds for the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival soon.

Facile Vega, though favored for the two-mile start, is also set to compete in the longer Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

Hailing from the prestigious mare Quevega, this gelding isn't alone in his lineage with Gary Moore’s Givega , a kin from Quevega’s sister Sivega, similarly placed into the running.

Despite a disappointing performance recently at Warwick over 2m5f, Givega is poised at 66/1 for a comeback in the main race.

Investor Barry Connell has moved into training with the unbeaten French Navy gelding Marine Nationale (5/1), who has a strong track record over four races.

After narrowly defeating Irish Point (also featured here at 20/1) in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, Marine Nationale shows promise on varied turf conditions.

Among the 65 other hopefuls, names such as last year’s Fred Winter runner-up Gaelic Warrior (20/1) and Impair Et Passe (20/1) lurk in the shadow with possible appearances in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

The Ballymore itself boasts 98 contenders, with Hermes Allen (11/4) at the helm after claiming three victories, including a four-and-three-quarter-length triumph in the Grade 1 Challow Novices Hurdle at Newbury.

Ballymore Novice Hurdle

Historical successes such as Denman, Champ, Thyme Hill, and Bravemansgame emphasize the significance of this event for UK trainers like Paul Nicholls.

Winners of the Challow during the 21^st Good Land (14/1), another Connell entrant, has become popular after an eight-length win at Leopardstown, boosting interest thanks to related wins by Embassy Gardens (25/1) at Thurles.

The Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle marked Ireland's latest Grade 1 event at 2m4f, with Champ Kiely (8/1) and Irish Point (25/1) securing podium spots and gaining entry here.

Stablemate Grangeclare West (33/1), having underperformed at Naas despite high expectations, remains in the lineup.

With just two mares in this year's Ballymore due to another event, there's Softbankoplaston Kateira (66/1) story slated perfectly for Dan Skelton and You Wear It Well (66/1), a reliable contender from the Challow Hurdle. Ballymore Novices Hurdle Prolonged favorite Lossiemouth (11/8) heads the entries, an untested talent over jumps yet well-regarded for graded accomplishments.

The French-bred Lossiemouth, under new trainer Willie Mullins, impresses with two victories and an upcoming Dublin Racing Festival entry.

Triumph Hurdle

Prevailing against stable rival Gala Marceau (10/1) earlier in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown, she stands out in her field.

Blood Destiny (9/2), another of Mullins' charges, has showcased ability with two consecutive wins post-debut at Auteuil.

Unproven in graded ranks, Blood Destiny overcame challenging conditions with an 18-length lead at Fairyhouse. Triumph Hurdle Gary Moore presented Jupiter du Gite (12/1) who impressed with a 15-length Newbury victory on his first outing over hurdles.

Moore, familiar with Cheltenham success, brings enriched experience, with more insights expected after Dixon Cove (25/1) and others face off on Saturday.

For Aidan O’Brien, Scriptwriter (16/1) displayed competence in Group sessions last year but shines stronger with Milton Harris at Cheltenham's own events.

An adept Flat winner, Scriptwriter looks forward to replicating previous hurdles successes.

A name to watch is the French Grade 1 champion, St Donats (20/1), trained by Hugo Merienne.

St Donats extended his lead atop the juvenile ranks with an 11-length Grade 1 victory in France but faces Cheltenham's terrain challenges.

Despite planning an Auteuil spring campaign, trainer interest for Cheltenham still lies for St Donats.

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Previously conquered by influential horses such as Weapon’s Amnesty and Monkfish, provides insight for forecasting further triumphs from its winners.

Highlighted earlier Embassy Gardens (7/1), notable for a recent Thurles win, counts among 77 appearing for the challenging three-mile race.

Michael De Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake reigns as favorite at 11/2 after a convincing Grade 3 win at Cork.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Expectations ride high for his possible Dublin Racing Festival participation, reminiscent of his 2019 triumph with Minella Indo. Three Card Brag (10/1) embodied Elliot’s odds-on expectations with a Fairyhouse win, demonstrating prowess and a strong pedigree for staying distances.

Weveallbeencaught (16/1) joins as Nigel Twiston-Davies’ best UK chance following a win at Cheltenham, though needing more to rival Irish opposition.

Grey Dawning (20/1) displays winning momentum over three recent outings, with an inclination toward longer courses.

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