A look at the potential runners who could deny Willie Mullins in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Willie Mullins is the man to beat each year at the Cheltenham Festival, and he’s going to take some stopping from the moment the tapes are raised at the 2025 renewal, as he holds a strong hand in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.  

The master of Closutton holds the record for most wins in the race with seven victories and could realistically field over four runners in the opening Grade 1 of the Festival as he seeks an eighth, with Kopek Des Bordes the odds-on favourite at 4/5 if you are looking for a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle bet. 

However, his opposition isn’t going to lie down and will all be eager to get their Festival off to a winning start as well. 

That said, let’s take a look at some of the potential runners who could stop Mullins from winning his first Sky Bet Supreme since 2019. 

Romeo Coolio – 6/1

Despite boasting over 40 Cheltenham Festival winners, Gordon Elliott has only won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle once—and it was with Labaik back in 2017.

The County Meath-based handler has a good chance to end his lengthy wait for a second win with Romeo Coolio this year, who’s currently 6/1 in the market. 

The six-year-old won a maiden on his hurdle debut by 18 lengths at Down Royal in November but was turned over at a short price when beaten in the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle next time. 

However, he bounced back in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival—winning by over nine lengths—and should have a big chance here. 

Workahead – 9/1

Fellow Irish trainer Henry de Bromhead has become a regular in the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure over the last five years or so, and he enjoyed his Supreme victory last year with Slade Steel. 

He has an outsider chance of repeating that feat with 9/1 chance Workahead, who races in the Gold Cup-winning colours of Barry Maloney. 

The seven-year-old won his sole point-to-point start by eight lengths but could fare no better than third on his hurdle debut 678 days later. 

He came on for that reappearance when winning at Leopardstown on Boxing Day by seven lengths. This will be a testing step up in class, but Workahead could be worth backing each-way in the racing betting. 

William Munny – 12/1

A victory in the Supreme for William Munny would be a poignant moment at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, dawning the same colours as Marine Nationale—who Michael O’Sullivan expertly guided to victory in 2023. 

While William Munny’s owner/trainer Barry Connell parted ways with O’Sullivan earlier this season following a disagreement in November, there still wouldn’t be a dry eye at Prestbury Park should the seven-year-old win the race now named after the late rider.  

William Munny opened his account over hurdles following successive seconds in a Listed contest at Punchestown last month and could be another each-way option with further progression on the cards.