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Cheltenham Supreme Novices’ Hurdle tips: Romeo Coolio looks a solid each-way play

Rory Delargy

Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing Tips

7mo ago

*Paddy Power is now Non Runner Money Back for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. That means that if your selection does not line up in the race you back it in for any reason – you will now get your stake back. TC’s apply.

*Paddy also has the more traditional ante-post market where you will lose your stake if your selection doesn’t run in the race for whatever reason.

Paddy Power Media’s ‘From The Horse’s Mouth’ podcast ‘Cheltenham Countdown’ is back as host Tom Nugent picks the brains of the Festival’s winning-most jockey turned TV pundit Ruby Walsh and well-known journalist and broadcaster Rory Delargy for their Cheltenham betting tips.

In the fifth episode of this year’s series, the gang have looked at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle ahead of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

RORY DELARGY

I’m not desperate to back Kopek Des Bordes when he’s such a short price but at the same time, it’s worth saying I’m not overly keen to oppose him as I’ve been really impressed with him.

He did a lot wrong in his first race at Fairyhouse but he still won the bumper well and hit the line really strongly. He followed that up with his win at Leopardstown over Christmas before building on that in the Grade One Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The same day that Kopek Des Bordes won at Leopardstown over Christmas, Workahead also won a Maiden Hurdle. It was in a much different style though as he pinged every hurdle after making the running.

He won impressively and the difference between the two of them is that Kopek Des Bordes went to the DRF and showed he can build on that, whereas we haven’t seen Workahead since and it looks like he’ll go straight to the Festival for Henry De Bromhead.

Not having a run and going straight to the Supreme is a tough ask but Henry keeps breaking the rules in what needs to be done to win a race at the Festival.

I’m respectful of Workahead, who will clearly improve from his last run.

Big Occassion

Romeo Coolio is also interesting but he would also be a good shout for the Turners Novice Hurdle too. He could shorten up in the market if Gordon Elliott says he’s definitely going for the Supreme Novices Hurdle with him.

Romeo Coolio handles the big occasion very well and he ran a cracker in the Champion Bumper last year. It was a real test of stamina and he just didn’t quite get home, which isn’t surprising based on his lack of experience. He travelled like the best horse in the race.

He’d be happier on good-ish ground – so he’s a player. Gordon Elliott tries to figure out the pecking order of his younger horses early and usually avoids the DRF to build them up for Cheltenham.

If you’re looking for an each-way bet, Romeo Coolio is solid. He’d be my bet right now.

*Paddy also has the more traditional ante-post market where you will lose your stake if your selection doesn’t run in the race for whatever reason.