RACING anorak Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) analyses the field for the 2021 Cheltenham Festival opener, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Tuesday 16th March 2020, 1:20 | ITV1
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle gets us underway with a smaller than usual field and one that is lacking the glamour of previous years renewals.
Appreciate It is a short priced favourite and has done very little wrong in his career so far. He's won 2 grade 1 races, races prominently, is uncomplicated and will stay further than this. He is the one to beat here and I wouldn't put anyone off backing him.
I'm taking an each-way angle here and going for the favourite's stablemate Blue Lord. He's ran twice at the top level finishing second and third and I think he can add to his placed efforts here. He stayed on last time out into third (behind two of Tuesday's field), however I believe there is much more to come from him.
Like Appreciate It he will stay further than this, so the stiff track is likely to play to his strengths. There is also a lot of pace here, For Pleasure is a real tearaway, and I suspect Daryl Jacob will creep into this and I make him an each-way play here.
Best Bets
1:20 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Blue Lord each-way (10/1 Bet365)
