SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE HISTORY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS

The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 race for four-year-old and above novices. It is the traditional Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser, run over 2m 1/2f on the Old Course. Ireland has won five of the last seven runnings.

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2008 CAPTAIN CEE BEE (Jockey: Robert Thornton, Trainer: Eddie Harty)

Captain Cee Bee, a 17/2 chance in the Cheltenham betting, improved J.P. McManus' Cheltenham statistics, leading home a 1-2 for the Irish owner, followed by co-favourite Binocular, 4 1/2l to the good over Philip Hobbs' Snap Tie.

2007 EBAZIYAN (Jockey: Davy Condon, Trainer: Willie Mullins)

The 2007 Cheltenham Festival saw hot favourite Amaretto Rose beaten into third by Ebaziyan and Granit Jack. Ebaziyan started an unfancied 40/1, but his victory was meritorious. Locked in a battle for the lead with the placed horses from the last, he quickened impressively on the run-in. Granit Jack, who had already won a several 'chases in France, just lacked the winner's turn of foot.

2006 NOLAND (Jockey: Ruby Walsh, Trainer: Paul Nicholls)

6/1 second favourite in the Cheltenham betting, Noland, got up in the shadow of the post to pip Straw Bear. Victory looked unlikely turning in, but Walsh roused his mount after the last, winning by a neck. Straw Bear ran a fine race on ground too fast, and may have held on but for a mistake at the last.

2005 ARCALIS (Jockey: Graham Lee, Trainer: Howard Johnson)

The faster ground at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival was a contributory factor towards what the Cheltenham betting suggested was an upset, though if Arcalis, the 6l winner at 20/1, had not run moderately on soft going at Newbury, his success would have been no surprise. Runner-up, Wild Passion, was up with the pace throughout, edging ahead two out and jumping the last upsides the winner. However, despite being left behind on the run-in, he denied Dusky Warbler second place by 1/2l.

2004 BRAVE INCA (Jockey: Barry Cash, Trainer: Colm Murphy)

The Irish challenge for the Cheltenham Festival opener looked especially strong. Brave Inca, 7/2 Cheltenham betting favourite, and War Of Attrition dominated the finish. This was hardly surprising, as Cheltenham statistics show the first two won the 2006 Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup respectively. Nick Henderson-trained Fleet Street raced up with the pace, staying on well for third when headed. Interestingly, Garde Champetre, winner of the 2008 Cross Country 'Chase, was beaten less than 10l in fifth.

2003 BACK IN FRONT (Jockey: Norman Williamson, Trainer: Edward O'Grady)

3/1 Cheltenham betting favourite, Back In Front, was an impressive winner. Eased to the front after the second-last, he burst clear for an emphatic victory. Subsequent Gold Cup winner Kicking King benefitted from better ground and was a comfortable runner-up. Third-placed Chauvinist found the ground a little quick, but ran a cracker, staying on strongly after getting outpaced at halfway.

2002 LIKE-A-BUTTERFLY (Jockey: Charlie Swan Trainer: Christy Roche)

Adamant Approach led narrowly and fell at the last, leaving the race at the mercy of Cheltenham betting favourite Like-A-Butterfly (7/4) and Westender, the former prevailing by a neck. Westender jumped really well in the lead, battling back gamely when headed. Third-placed In Contrast was held up towards the rear by Richard Johnson, but improved from three out, never quite getting on terms.

2001 Cheltenham Festival abandoned because of foot and mouth epidemic.

2000 SAUSALITO BAY (Jockey: Paul Carberry, Trainer: Noel Meade)

The slow early gallop suited those ridden prominently, and the winner Sausalito Bay (14/1), who made the early running, jumped back into the lead at the last, running on gamely to win. Subsequent Gold Cup hat-trick winner, Best Mate, was runner-up. Outpaced when the pace increased after three out, he picked up in fine style, finishing best of all. Cheltenham betting favourite, Youllneverwalkalone, found the going plenty firm enough. He hung right down the hill, edging left at the last, but ran on well, finishing third.

1999 HORS LA LOI III (Jockey: Tony McCoy, Trainer: Martin Pipe)

Subsequent Champion Hurdler Hors La Loi (2002) scored most impressively, although he would have had more to do had Cardinal Hill not unseated his rider two out. In a race run at a strong pace, the winner jumped well, and travelled particularly well. Booted clear at the third-last, well in command when left clear, he scored by 17l from Joe Mac. Arctic Fancy ran well in third.