The Ballymore Novices Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race which takes place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March. Open to horses four years and older who are novices (meaning they hadn’t won a race over hurdles prior to that season), the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about two miles and five furlongs (2 miles 5 furlongs and 26 yards), with 10 hurdles to be jumped.
Betting Forecast : Betting forecast will appear here when available.
The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle is the first race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
The race was first established in 1971, and was won by the Harry Thomson Jones-trained Midsprite under jockey Macer Gifford.
In 1974, Sun Alliance (an insurance company which was later know as Royal & Sun Alliance) began sponsoring the race and as a result the contest became known as the Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle.
The association lasted over 30 years until Ballymore Properties backed the event for the first time in 2006.
Just four years later, Neptune Investment Management took over the reins as main sponsor, and the race was run under their banner for seven years, before Ballymore resumed sponsorship for the 2018 running. Their support was well-founded when City Island – trained by Martin Brassil and owned by Founder and Group Chief Executive of Ballymore, Sean Mulryan – won the 2019 renewal.
The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle has produced some top-class hurdlers in the past, notably three-time Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq and two-time Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace .
Faugheen produced one of the best performances in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle since the turn of the century when successful in 2014, beating Ballyalton by four and a half lengths under Ruby Walsh, overcoming a bad mistake at the third last in the process.
Faugheen also went on to win the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival the following year, further enhancing the record of winners of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle that go on to do well in that race.
More recently, the Gordon Elliott-trained Samcro was another impressive winner of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle when sauntering clear of his rivals to win the 2018 renewal. He produced the best performance in the race since the aforementioned Faugheen when readily justifying favouritism.
The most successful Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle trainer in recent times is Willie Mullins , who has won the race four times, with: Fiveforthree (2008), Mikael d’Haguenet (2009), Faugheen (2014) and Yorkhill (2016).
The most successful Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle jockey in recent times is Ruby Walsh , who has won the race four times, with: Fiveforthree (2008), Mikael d’Haguenet (2009), Faugheen (2014) and Yorkhill (2016).
Bet £10 on Race 1 Doncaster, Sat 1:45, get £60 in free bets through the card
New customer offer, Min single £10 Sportsbook bet on the 13:45 Doncaster, 06th March ('Win or E/W' market only). £10 free bet for each of the remaining Sat Doncaster races. Deposits using cards or Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply.
New customer offer, Min single £10 Sportsbook bet on the 13:45 Doncaster, 06th March ('Win or E/W' market only). £10 free bet for each of the remaining Sat Doncaster races. Deposits using cards or Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply.
FREE BET POT BUILDER: BET £20, GET £10 TO USE ON CHELTENHAM
Available every Saturday until the Festival. Min £20 in Exchange bets (min odds 1.5 applies to back bets). Max £10 free bet per qualifying day, awarded 15/03, valid on Exchange markets. Betfair Rewards 'Basic' customers excluded. T&Cs apply. RF20: New customers only, max £20 cash refund. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Available every Saturday until the Festival. Min £20 in Exchange bets (min odds 1.5 applies to back bets). Max £10 free bet per qualifying day, awarded 15/03, valid on Exchange markets. Betfair Rewards 'Basic' customers excluded. T&Cs apply. RF20: New customers only, max £20 cash refund. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
NON-RUNNER, MONEY BACK ON ALL CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL RACES PLUS NEW CUSTOMERS GET UP TO £100 IN FREE BETS
Non Runner Money Back applies to bets placed after 10:00 on Tuesday 12th January on all 2021 Cheltenham Festival races. Applies to Sportsbook bets only. T&Cs apply. Bundle: New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat x5 to receive max £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply.
Non Runner Money Back applies to bets placed after 10:00 on Tuesday 12th January on all 2021 Cheltenham Festival races. Applies to Sportsbook bets only. T&Cs apply. Bundle: New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat x5 to receive max £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply.
Bet £10 on Race 1 Doncaster, Sat 1:45, get £60 in free bets through the card
New customer offer, Min single £10 Sportsbook bet on the 13:45 Doncaster, 06th March ('Win or E/W' market only). £10 free bet for each of the remaining Sat Doncaster races. Deposits using cards or Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply.
New customer offer, Min single £10 Sportsbook bet on the 13:45 Doncaster, 06th March ('Win or E/W' market only). £10 free bet for each of the remaining Sat Doncaster races. Deposits using cards or Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply.
FREE BET POT BUILDER: BET £20, GET £10 TO USE ON CHELTENHAM
Available every Saturday until the Festival. Min £20 in Exchange bets (min odds 1.5 applies to back bets). Max £10 free bet per qualifying day, awarded 15/03, valid on Exchange markets. Betfair Rewards 'Basic' customers excluded. T&Cs apply. RF20: New customers only, max £20 cash refund. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Available every Saturday until the Festival. Min £20 in Exchange bets (min odds 1.5 applies to back bets). Max £10 free bet per qualifying day, awarded 15/03, valid on Exchange markets. Betfair Rewards 'Basic' customers excluded. T&Cs apply. RF20: New customers only, max £20 cash refund. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
NON-RUNNER, MONEY BACK ON ALL CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL RACES PLUS NEW CUSTOMERS GET UP TO £100 IN FREE BETS
Non Runner Money Back applies to bets placed after 10:00 on Tuesday 12th January on all 2021 Cheltenham Festival races. Applies to Sportsbook bets only. T&Cs apply. Bundle: New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat x5 to receive max £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply.
Non Runner Money Back applies to bets placed after 10:00 on Tuesday 12th January on all 2021 Cheltenham Festival races. Applies to Sportsbook bets only. T&Cs apply. Bundle: New customer offer. Place 5 x £10 or more bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat x5 to receive max £100 bonus. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Exchange bets excluded. T&Cs apply.
BET £5 ON HORSE RACING, GET £40 IN FREE BETS: £20 before & £20 during Cheltenham
New Customer Offer. Place a £5 single racing bet, min odds 1/5 (1.2) and get £20 in free bets. You will also get an additional £5 in free bets for each day of the Cheltenham festival (£40 in total). Only deposits made using cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. Free bets will be awarded after the qualifying bet has been settled and are valid for 30 days. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply.
New Customer Offer. Place a £5 single racing bet, min odds 1/5 (1.2) and get £20 in free bets. You will also get an additional £5 in free bets for each day of the Cheltenham festival (£40 in total). Only deposits made using cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. Free bets will be awarded after the qualifying bet has been settled and are valid for 30 days. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply.
Bet £10, get £40 in free bets: £20 now + £20 for Cheltenham week
Min stake £10, min odds 2.0 (Evs). Only deposits made using Cards or ApplePay will qualify. Free bets valid for 30 days, x1 £20 free bet awarded at bet settlement, x1 £20 awarded at 10am Mon 15th March. T&Cs apply.
Min stake £10, min odds 2.0 (Evs). Only deposits made using Cards or ApplePay will qualify. Free bets valid for 30 days, x1 £20 free bet awarded at bet settlement, x1 £20 awarded at 10am Mon 15th March. T&Cs apply.
New UK & NI customers only. 18+. Sign up using promo code ‘SPORTS60’. Deposit & place first sports bet at a minimum of £10 in one bet transaction at evens (2.0) +. £30 paid in free bets within 48 hours of bet settlement, expires 7-days after issue. E-Wallet & Prepaid Card restrictions apply. Your first bet must be settled within 60 days of bet placement. SMS validation may be required. Game restrictions apply. Maximum 30 Free Spins on selected games. Free Spins expire after 7 days. Full T&Cs apply.
New UK & NI customers only. 18+. Sign up using promo code ‘SPORTS60’. Deposit & place first sports bet at a minimum of £10 in one bet transaction at evens (2.0) +. £30 paid in free bets within 48 hours of bet settlement, expires 7-days after issue. E-Wallet & Prepaid Card restrictions apply. Your first bet must be settled within 60 days of bet placement. SMS validation may be required. Game restrictions apply. Maximum 30 Free Spins on selected games. Free Spins expire after 7 days. Full T&Cs apply.
BET £10 ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE, GET £50 IN FOOTBALL BET BUILDERS
Place a £10 pre-play Bet Builder on any Premier League fixture between Saturday, February 27th and Monday, March 8th, at minimum odds of 1.2 (1/5). Get £50 in Football Bet Builders. Free bets will be awarded after your qualifying bet has been settled, valid for 30 days.
Place a £10 pre-play Bet Builder on any Premier League fixture between Saturday, February 27th and Monday, March 8th, at minimum odds of 1.2 (1/5). Get £50 in Football Bet Builders. Free bets will be awarded after your qualifying bet has been settled, valid for 30 days.
Max Bet £5 • £10 deposit using promo code • Free bets are granted within 72 hours and expires after 7 days • Free bet stakes not included in returns • Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. withdrawal restrictions & full T&C’s apply Full T&C’s apply
Max Bet £5 • £10 deposit using promo code • Free bets are granted within 72 hours and expires after 7 days • Free bet stakes not included in returns • Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. withdrawal restrictions & full T&C’s apply Full T&C’s apply
Max Bet £5 • £10 deposit using promo code • Free bets are granted within 72 hours and expires after 7 days • Free bet stakes not included in returns • Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. withdrawal restrictions & full T&C’s apply Full T&C’s apply
Max Bet £5 • £10 deposit using promo code • Free bets are granted within 72 hours and expires after 7 days • Free bet stakes not included in returns • Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. withdrawal restrictions & full T&C’s apply Full T&C’s apply
New Customer Offer. Place a £5 single racing bet, min odds 1/5 (1.2) and get £20 in free bets. You will also get an additional £5 in free bets for each day of the Cheltenham festival (£40 in total). Only deposits made using cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. Free bets will be awarded after the qualifying bet has been settled and are valid for 30 days. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply.
Min stake £10, min odds 2.0 (Evs). Only deposits made using Cards or ApplePay will qualify. Free bets valid for 30 days, x1 £20 free bet awarded at bet settlement, x1 £20 awarded at 10am Mon 15th March. T&Cs apply.
New UK & NI customers only. 18+. Sign up using promo code ‘SPORTS60’. Deposit & place first sports bet at a minimum of £10 in one bet transaction at evens (2.0) +. £30 paid in free bets within 48 hours of bet settlement, expires 7-days after issue. E-Wallet & Prepaid Card restrictions apply. Your first bet must be settled within 60 days of bet placement. SMS validation may be required. Game restrictions apply. Maximum 30 Free Spins on selected games. Free Spins expire after 7 days. Full T&Cs apply.
£10.65Olly Murphy's profit to a £1 level stake with hurdlers running after a break (saddles GINISTRELLI)
20%Tom Symonds's strike rate in spring (saddles METEORITE)
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