Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Cheltenham 2017 Day 1 Tips

This race still looks a bit tricky but maybe the Supreme Novices’ could be a race to take advantage of a couple of the BoyleSports offers.

Racer v Melon
Moon Racer is the current 4/1 second favourite for the opening race of the week. However, he may be rerouted to the Champion Hurdle and that just goes to show how highly regarded he is by the Pipes.

Melon is now as short as 3/1 with BoyleSports despite going here with just one run on the track under his belt but representing the formidable Mullins/Walsh duo. All the talk about Melon is positive with the only negative being attached to him that he has only had one run over hurdles.

Magic Mullins
But there’s a couple of things punters must remember here.

He’s trained by Willie Mullins, who has a fantastic record in the race

and the trainer has been extremely bullish which would be quite uncharacteristic.

Also, while the horse has just one run on the track, you can be all but sure that he has been to Thurles or maybe Punchestown for a couple of schooling hurdles at some stage of his life so he has more experience than just one competitive run may suggest.

I wasn’t on the Melon bandwagon at the start but I’m steadily being converted. Although, with BoyleSports offering Non-Runner Cash Back, and money back as a free bet if you finish second or third to the SP favourite, maybe Moon Racer is a good alternative for punters.

Finally, Neon Wolf has to get a mention here. I think he’ll run in the Neptune and win the Neptune but should he pitch up here, he’ll take beating. He’s a special one and his presence in this field would change everything. At this stage, that looks unlikely though.

Recommended Bet:
Melon (3/1)

*Prices correct at time of publication