The Supreme traditionally opens the festival, and as the tapes retract, the crowd’s iconic roar fills the air.

This year, the competition appears wide open, especially with Ballyburn out of the picture, who had previously seemed the favorite to start the week.

Ballyburn is set for the Gallaghers on Wednesday, but his presence looms large in the Supreme, affecting the odds of other favored horses.

Watch and Bet on for the Supreme

The race is scheduled for 1.30 on Tuesday and is the featured race on the day at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

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Firefox, who initially bested Ballyburn in hurdles but then fell behind, needs to recover from a disappointing performance at the Lawlor’s of Naas, yet there are positive reports about him lately.

Slade Steel, also impacted by Ballyburn at Leopardstown, comes to the race with Henry De Bromhead preferring to avoid Ballyburn, and stands a good chance on favorable ground.

Mystical Power is likely to attract bets, but I’m not particularly enthused about his win at the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown, which seemed an average race to me.

Tullyhill might have a racing style suitable for this event, but I question whether his form is strong enough to justify his position as the market leader.

My bets are split between Firefox and Slade Steel in this opening race.