The curtain-raiser to the Cheltenham Festival always starts with some of the brightest novice hurdlers in the National Hunt ranks and this year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle is set to be a cracker.
Cue Card heads the market for Colin Tizzard at 5/2 but the trainer has already stated that he is unsure whether or not the 2010 Champion Bumper winner will run in this renewal or will take on the big boys in the Champion Hurdle. If he does go to tape for this contest you have to respect him but you can't be betting him ante-post at such short odds being unaware of his chosen race
Zaidpour is next in the market at 8/1 for Irish trainer Willie Mullins and after a few impressive runs in Ireland must be respected but his loss to First Lieutenant at Leopardstown last time out is a worry and is another to avoid.
As you venture down the market there are a host of contenders currently trading at 14/1 with Dermot Weld's Hidden Universe and Paul Nicholls Rock On Ruby likely to be the exciting challengers. The latter was unbeaten over timber until being narrowly beaten by the impressive Bobs Worth at Cheltenham in January but if he takes this route should be one to watch.
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