 Recent winners of the grade one Sun Alliance Novices Hurdle have tended to come from the more fancied runners, with four favourites triumphing in the last seven years. Winning trends in this race point towards horses that have arrived at Cheltenham fresh after experiencing a light UK Racing season. At two miles and five furlongs in length the Sun Alliance Novices Hurdle suits stayers very well and the horse you select should ideally have preformed well over the distance and going in the run upto Cheltenham.
Click here for the latest 2004 Cheltenham Festival betting.
The closing stages of the 2003 Novice Hurdle witnessed and extremely close three way finish. Hardy Eustace moved to the front of the field at the last fence and managed to complete the victory with under two lengths to spare. Coolnagorna ran in a fine second but was disqualified following a stewards' enquiry two from home. The race favourite was promoted to second following the disqualification, Pizarro although trying hard had been able to make up the distance in the final strides. Perhaps the biggest impression made in the Novice Hurdle was from the third placed Lord Sam, who despite making several jumping mistakes was present at the end for a memorable finish.
| Sun Alliance Novices Hurdle Results |
| Year |
Horse |
Trainer |
Starting Price |
| 2003 |
Hardy Eustace |
D Hughes |
6/1 |
| 2002 |
Galileo |
L Taylor |
12/1 |
| 2000 |
Monsignor |
M Pitman |
5/4 Fav |
| 1999 |
Barton |
T Easterby |
2/1 Fav |
| 1998 |
French Holly |
F Murphy |
2/1 Fav |
| 1997 |
Istabraq |
A OŽBrien |
6/5 Fav |
| 1996 |
Urubande |
A OŽBrien |
8/1 |
The second race held at Cheltenham on Wednesday is the Sun Alliance Novices Chase. |
