THE Irish suffered a comprehensive defeat in the opening racing of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, as Old Park Star led home a 1-2-3-4 for the home team in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson’s charge was never headed in the betting following three comprehensive victories on all his starts over hurdles, with owners Gordon and Su Hall moving the six-year-old to Henderson following three placed efforts in bumpers for Paul Nicholls.

Joseph O’Brien’s Grade 1 winner Talk The Talk, Willie Mullins’ highly-regarded Mighty Park and Gordon Elliott’s recruit El Cairos were among his closes rivals in the betting, but it became apparent turning for home that the British would take the opener, save for a dramatic turnaround.

There was drama, but not enough to affect the result. Ben Jones had set the pace aboard Philip Hobbs and Johnson White’s Sober Glory, and following a blunder at the last, was pushed towards the rail by the eventual winner and Dan Skelton’s challenger Mydaddypaddy.

Nico de Boinville’s mount stayed on well to prevail by a length and a half, while the longtime leader held on to second, a nose in front of Mydaddypaddy. The front three rallied six lengths clear of the Alan King-trained Baron Noir, with another length and a half back to El Cairos, the best of the Irish, in fifth.

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After winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for a sixth time, Henderson commented: “This is a race that’s been kind to us over the years. It’s always a good race and the best novice hurdlers are all coming out to play.

“You have to have a good horse and we’re very lucky they’ve come along – it’s a long time since our first one in River Ceiriog (1986).

“Constitution Hill was obviously freaky when he won it and then your Altiors and Shishkins went on to jump fences and I would imagine that will be next year’s game for this horse.

“On a day we’ve said goodbye to Constitution Hill (over jumps), it’s nice to come straight in and a bring on a new one we hope could be a star. These young horses keep you going and I’m not going anywhere unless they want to pension us off!

“The first race on the first day is the best one you can get and England are one up (over Ireland)! I don’t know if we’ll be saying that on Friday night, but we’ll keep trying.”

Reflecting on the race itself, Henderson continued: “It got tough up there. Turning into the straight he had to quicken off what looked a good, solid pace – he had to be brave to come up the hill like that.

“He’s still a big baby in our opinion – I think in another year he’ll be a much better horse. He’s quick and tough and his jumping is sound. He’s got a huge future in front of him.”

William Hill subsequently priced the Matthew Fogarty-bred winner at 6/1 for the 2027 Arkle and 14/1 for the 2027 Champion Hurdle.

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On future plans, Henderson reflected: “I’ll be surprised if he doesn't go chasing next season. He’s very talented, and he’s a quick horse too. Two miles is probably perfect for him at the moment, but he’ll get further in time.

“He’ll get stronger and improve, and I should think jumping fences will almost certainly be next year’s game.”

Gutsy

Winning jockey Nico de Boinville said: “He was incredibly gutsy. There was a bit of a bump to Mydaddypaddy. He’s a class horse and fair play to him!

“I always thought he would stay well and eat up the hill, and that’s what he’s done. I’m delighted. We even missed at the last and he still managed to win.

“I missed the last and I thought I was going to wing it, but it didn’t seem to matter - he then sort of stayed on, so that was great. I think he’s going to be a really nice horse going forward over fences.

“The ground is good to soft, good in places in my opinion, but drying out all the time.”