Cheltenham - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: Each-way value found in big field opener

RACING anorak Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) analyses the field for the 2018 Cheltenham Festival opener, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

1:30 Cheltenham | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | ITV1

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is the Festival opener and is greeted by the most famous roar in racing. This year sees a huge field line-up and on heavy ground it could throw up a surprise result.

Getabird (13/8 BetBright) is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, won a Grade 2 last time, will handle conditions and represents connections in superb form, who have a great record in this race.

So why don't I fancy him? He seems short in the betting, lacks experience and it's a massive field so my percentage call is to take him on.

Kalashnikov (9/2 BetBright) won the Betfair Hurdle last time out on soft ground making him one of the leading fancies for this. He is a horse with huge potential and his only defeat came in a Grade 1 to Summerville Boy. He is likely to run well but he's not for me.

I've taken a chance on one at a price, here. Paloma Blue (14/1 BetBright) only has one win to his name over hurdles however last time out he ran a very promising race.

He was third to Samcro and was the only horse to travel in to the race as well as him. He produced this on the back of not settling and so with the pace likely to help him here, I make him my each-way selection.