- The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was known as the Gloucestershire Hurdle until 1974. Capel Cure Sharp backed the contest in 2000 and the company, which became Gerrard Wealth Management, supported the race until 2003. Racecourse caterers Letheby & Christopher became the sixth sponsor since the initial backer Lloyds Bank in 1974 when supporting the contest in 2004 and 2005, while Anglo Irish Bank was the sponsor from 2006 to 2008. Bookmakers William Hill sponsored the race in 2009 and this year the backers are the Stewart Family, on behalf of the charity Spinal Research.
- The Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is the only race at The Festival to have been divided. From 1946-1971 when known as the Gloucestershire Novices’ Hurdle, it divided on no less than 25 occasions. In 1963 and 1946 there were even three divisions.
- The oldest horse to have won was 12-year-old Beau Caprice in 1966 (Div One). Three eight-year-olds have also been successful - Like-A-Butterfly in 2002, Sondrio in 1989 and Boys Hurrah in 1956 (Div One).
- The 1993 winner, Montelado, holds a unique position in the history of The Festival at Cheltenham. He is the only horse to have won consecutive Festival races, landing the Weatherbys Champion Bumper in 1992, the last race of that year’s meeting, and returning to win the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 1993, the first race 12 months later.
- The Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has thrown up one winner of the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and three Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle heroes. L'Escargot won in 1968, before consecutive Gold Cup triumphs in 1970 and 1971. Bula scored in 1970, before Champion Hurdle victories in 1971 and 1972, the 2002 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle winner Hors La Loi III took the race in 1999, and Brave Inca took the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle in 2006 having landed the novice event two years earlier.
- The race has been won by Irish-trained raiders on no less than 38 occasions, and by the French once. Of the 16 divisions from 1952-59, Vincent O'Brien won an amazing 10. Ireland also kept a stranglehold on the race for seven years from 1977-83 and has won seven of the last nine runnings, most recently with Go Native in 2009.
- The smallest field was in 1950, with nine runners in Division 1, and the largest, 30 runners, for both Harry Hastings' win in 1985 and French Ballerina’s success in 1998. The maximum field allowed is now 24.
- Since the race ceased to be divided, big-name jockeys have found the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle difficult to win. Tony McCoy, successful on Hors La Loi III in 1999, is the only one of the last four champion jockeys to have scored in this particular contest, and only Charlie Swan (1993 and 2002), Tommy Carmody (1980 and 1983) and Niall Madden (1978 and 1981) have been successful twice.
- The longest-priced winner was Arctic Kinsman at 50/1 in 1994, while the 2007 victor Ebaziyan is one of only two 40/1 shots to have scored. The shortest-priced winners at 4/9 were Tsaoko in 1950 and Flyingbolt in 1964. Favourites have been successful eight times in the 37 runnings since 1972, with three of the last eight winning.
- The fastest time for the winning horse was achieved by Montelado in 1993 at 3m 50.6s. French Ballerina came close to that record in 1998 when her time was 3m 50.9s.
Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle - Roll
(williamhill.com Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2009, Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2006-2008, Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2004-2005, Gerrard Wealth Management Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2003, Gerrard Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2001-02, Capel Cure Sharp Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2000, Citroen Supreme Novices' Hurdle 1994- 99,Trafalgar House Supreme Novices' Hurdle 1991-93, Waterford Crystal Supreme Novices' Hurdle 1978-90, Lloyds Bank Champion Novice Hurdle 1974-1977, Gloucestershire Hurdle before 1974)
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Go Native | Paul Carberry | Noel Meade IRE | 12/1 |
| 2008 | Captain Cee Bee | Robert Thornton | Edward Harty IRE | 17/2 |
| 2007 | Ebaziyan | Davy Condon | Willie Mullins IRE | 40/1 |
| 2006 | Noland | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls | 6/1 |
| 2005 | Arcalis | Graham Lee | Howard Johnson | 20/1 |
| 2004 | Brave Inca | Barry Cash | Colm Murphy IRE | 7/2F |
| 2003 | Back In Front | Norman Williamson | Edward O'Grady IRE | 3/1F |
| 2002 | Like-A-Butterfly | Charlie Swan | Christy Roche IRE | 7/4F |
| 2001 | ||||
| 2000 | Sausalito Bay | Paul Carberry | Noel Meade IRE | 14/1 |
| 1999 | Hors La Loi III | Tony McCoy | Martin Pipe | 9/2 |
| 1998 | French Ballerina | Graham Bradley | Pat Flynn IRE | 10/1 |
| 1997 | Shadow Leader | Jamie Osborne | Charles Egerton | 5/1 |
| 1996 | Indefence | Warren Marston | Jenny Pitman | 25/1 |
| 1995 | Tourist Attraction | Mark Dwyer | Willie Mullins IRE | 25/1 |
| 1994 | Arctic Kinsman | Carl Llewellyn | Nigel Twiston-Davies | 50/1 |
| 1993 | Montelado | Charlie Swan | Pat Flynn IRE | 5/1 |
| 1992 | Flown | Jamie Osborne | Nicky Henderson | 13/2 |
| 1991 | Destriero | Pat McWilliams | Andy Geraghty IRE | 6/1 |
| 1990 | Forest Sun | Jimmy Frost | Toby Balding | 7/4F |
| 1989 | Sondrio | Jonathon Lower | Martin Pipe | 25/1 |
| 1988 | Vagador | Mark Perrett | Guy Harwood | 4/1F |
| 1987 | Tartan Tailor | Phil Tuck | Gordon Richards | 14/1 |
| 1986 | River Ceiriog | Steve Smith Eccles | Nicky Henderson | 40/1 |
| 1985 | Harry Hastings | Chris Grant | John Wilson | 14/1 |
| 1984 | Browne's Gazette | Mr Dermot Browne | Michael Dickinso | 11/2 |
| 1983 | Buck House | Tommy Carmody | Mouse Morris IRE | 8/1 |
| 1982 | Miller Hill | Tom Morgan | Dessie Hughes IRE | 20/1 |
| 1981 | Hartstown | Niall Madden | Mick O'Toole IRE | 2/1F |
| 1980 | Slaney Idol | Tommy Carmody | Liam Browne IRE | 9/1 |
| 1979 | Stranfield | Tommy Kinane | Des McDonogh IRE | 16/1 |
| 1978 | Golden Cygnet | Mr Niall Madden | Edward O'Grady IRE | 4/5F |
| 1977 | Mac's Chariot | Dessie Hughes | Mick O'Toole IRE | 7/1 |
| 1976 | Beacon Light | Andy Turnell | Bob Turnell | 14/1 |
| 1975 | Bannow Rambler | Frank Berry | Padge Berry IRE | 9/2 |
| 1974 | Avec Moi | Roger Rowell | Auriol Sinclair | 5/4F |
| 1973 | King Pele | David Nicholson | Gavin Pritchard-Gordon | 13/2 |
| 1972 | Noble Life | Stan Murphy | Christy Grassick IRE | 16/1 |
| 1971(I) | Persian Majesty | Terry Biddlecombe | Ryan Price | 13/2 |
| 1971 (II) | Barnard | Johnnie Haine | Fulke Walwyn | 4/1 |
| 1970 (I) | Ballywilliam Boy | Bobby Coonan | Paddy Sleator IRE | 4/1 |
| 1970 (II) | Bula | Paul Kelleway | Fred Winter | 3/1F |
| 1969 (I) | Normandy | Terry Biddlecombe | Fred Rimell | 10/1 |
| 1969 (II) | Private Room | Willie Robinson | Fulke Walwyn | 10/1 |
| 1968 (I) | King Cutler | Brian Fletcher | Denys Smith | 85/40 |
| 1968 (II) | L'Escargot | Tommy Carberry | Dan Moore IRE | 13/2 |
| 1967 (I) | Chorus | Johnnie Haine | Tom Jones | 15/2 |
| 1967 (II) | Early To Rise | Jeff King | Bob Turnell | 11/2 |
| 1966 (I) | Beau Caprice | Tommy Jennings | Fulke Walwyn | 6/1 |
| 1966 (II) | Fosco | David Moore | Mick Goswell | 7/2 |
| 1965 (I) | Red Tears | Stan Mellor | Tom Jones | 7/1 |
| 1965 (II) | Havago | Bobby Beasley | Paddy Sleator IRE | 11/8 |
| 1964 (I) | Flyingbolt | Pat Taaffe | Tom Dreaper IRE | 4/9F |
| 1964 (II) | Elan | Dave Dick | John Sutcliffe | 9/2 |
| 1963 (I) | Honour Bound | Terry Biddlecombe | Fred Rimell | 3/1F |
| 1963 (II) | Buona Notte | Johnnie Haine | Bob Turnell | 7/2 |
| 1963 (III) | Deetease | Clive Chapman | Basil Foster | 9/1 |
| 1962 (I) | Tripacer | Tommy Carberry | Dan Moore IRE | 20/1 |
| 1962 (II) | Clerical Grey | Willie Robinson | P Murphy IRE | 100/8 |
| 1961 (I) | Beau Normand | Bill Rees | Bob Turnell | 5/1 |
| 1961 (II) | Greektown | Michael Scudamore | Willie Stephenson | 100/8 |
| 1960 (I) | Blue Mountain | Dick Broadway | George Todd | 5/1 |
| 1960 (II) | Bastille | Bill Woods | Tom Masson | 33/1 |
| 1959 (I) | York Fair | Tommy Burns | Vincent O'Brien IRE | 4/5F |
| 1959 (II) | Albergo | Doug Page | Clem Magnier IRE | 9/1 |
| 1958 (I) | Admiral Stuart | Tommy Burns | Vincent O'Brien IRE | 6/5F |
| 1958 (II) | Prudent King | Tommy Burns | Vincent O'Brien IRE | 3/1F |
| 1957 (I) | Tokoroa | Dave Dick | Fred Rimell | 5/4F |
| 1957 (II) | Saffron Tartan | Tommy Burns | Vincent O'Brien IRE | 10/11F |
| 1956 (I) | Boys Hurrah | Tommy Burns | Vincent O'Brien IRE | 9/4F |
| 1956 (II) | Pelargos | Tommy Burns | Vincent O'Brien IRE | 6/4F |
| 1955 (I) | Vindore | Mr Phonsie O'Brien | Vincent O'Brien IRE | Evs F |
| 1955 (II) | Illyric | Tommy Burns | Vincent O'Brien IRE | 3/1F |
| 1954 (I) | Stroller | Pat Taaffe | Vincent O'Brien IRE | 13/8F |
| 1954 (II) | Tasmin | Rene Emery | Harry Count FR | 5/1 |
| 1953 (I) | Assynt | Eddie Newman | Danny Morgan IRE | 9/4F |
| 1953 (II) | Dessin | Johnny Gilbert | Frank Hudson | 100/9 |
| 1952 (I) | Cockatoo | Mr Phonsie O'Brien | Vincent O'Brien IRE | 4/1 |
| 1952 (II) | Evian | Fred Winter | George Archibald | 10/1 |
| 1951 (I) | Red Stranger | Denis Dillon | Ron Smyth | 100/8 |
| 1951 (II) | Oukileles II | Fred Winter | George Archibald | 6/1 |
| 1950 (I) | Tsaoko | Martin Molony | Sam Armstrong | 4/9F |
| 1950 (II) | Sir Charles | Mr Michael Scudamore | Geoffrey Scudamore | 25/1 |
| 1949 (I) | French Wedding | Jimmy Brogan | Gerry Wilson | 11/2 |
| 1949 (II) | Tough Guy | Denis Dillon | Ivor Anthony | 4/1 |
| 1948 (I) | Vulgan | Rickie Black | John De Moraville | 9/2 |
| 1948 (II) | Jean's Last | Bryan Marshall | Fulke Walwyn | 7/4F |
| 1947 | ||||
| 1946 (I) | Prince Rupert | Ron Smyth | Ted Smyth | 9/2 |
| 1946 (II) | Freetown | George Archibald | W Larkin | 8/1 |
| 1946 (III) | Gremlin | Phil Canty | George Todd | 5/1 |
