Sky Bet extends sponsorship of Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Sky Bet has extended its sponsorship of the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham for a further three years.

The association first began in 2014 when Vautour ran out an impressive winner. Over the last decade the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival has been won by the likes of Douvan, Altior, Shishkin and Constitution Hill.

The new deal will extend the partnership through to 2026 and Sky Bet Head of Sports PR, Michael Shinners, said: “It’s great, after 10 fantastic years of the sponsorship, to be able to extend it for three more.

“It’s a race that has thrown up some wonderful names and memories over the previous decade and I’m sure the 2024 renewal will continue that trend. The Sky Bet Supreme is the opening race of The Festival and the roar from the crowd as the tapes fly up never fails to amaze me. We’re proud of the sponsorship and of the race itself.”

Ian Renton, Managing Director of Jockey Club Racecourses - West, added: “We’re delighted to be continuing our long running partnership with Sky Bet, and that they will be supporting the Supreme Novices Hurdle and associated races for a further three years.

“As the curtain raiser for The Festival in March it is a special race for many and we look forward to seeing more future superstars of the turf compete in it in the years to come.”

The road to this season’s renewal begins on Friday, with the Grade Two Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle on day one of The Showcase at Cheltenham.

Olly Murphy runs his impressive Bangor winner Act Of Authority while Dan Skelton’s Williethebuilder and the Fergal O’Brien-trained Kamsinas are just two of the exciting prospects in opposition. Irish interest is provided by Toto Too, winner of two of his three starts for Peter Fahey.