Stan James Set to Sponsor Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham

Gibraltar-based bookmaker Stan James has signed on as the official sponsor of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at jumps racing’s biggest event – the Cheltenham Festival. The Supreme Novices Hurdle has been a proving ground for some of the most talented National Hunt contenders. The likes of Brave Inca, Go Native, fan-favourite Captain Cee Bee and talented up-and-comer Menorah have all conquered the race in the past few years.

The sponsorship change is the third iteration in as many years with prominent owner Andy Stewart sponsoring the race in 2010 as the Spinal Research Novices Hurdle while bookmaker William Hill were aboard for 2009.

The news comes on the heels of Stan James' announcement that they would also be sponsoring the first day’s feature at Cheltenham, the Champion Hurdle. Formerly sponsored by Smurfit Kappa, this latest move merely increases the popular bookmakers visibility in the world of the National Hunt.

Stan James are celebrating this recent move by declaring that they will offer the industries top price on the Supreme Novices’ from 8:30 am to midnight UK time on Friday, February 4.

Colin Tizzard’s high-profile five year-old Cue Card headlines the race as the 2/1 favourite with most major bookmakers. The son of King’s Theatre has run 11112 in his five career races with two scores coming over the Cheltenham surface – one of which came in the Champion Bumper at last year’s festival when he conquered a field of 24 to score at a hefty 40/1 price.