Cheltenham Festival 2017 – Labaik wins the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy
Gordon Elliott's grey was always travelling well and looked the winner a mile out as he got the better of Melon up the straight
LABAIK provided young jock Jack Kennedy his first Festival winner in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Gordon Elliott's six-year-old had a history of refusing to race but he put his best hoof forward to land the opening race at a huge 25-1.
Melon - the 3-1 joint favourite - ran on well for second but had no answer to the winner.
River Wylde for Nicky Henderson came home third.
Elliott said: "He could have gone to Naas on Sunday, I said to the lads it wouldn't be as embarrassing if he refuses there.
"It just all worked out today. I told Jack if he jumped off to just hunt around and ride him for a place.
"I've always said he's our best work horse in the yard.
"I don't care if he never jumps off again!"
Kennedy added: "I always enjoyed watching it (as a boy) and it's great to get a taste of it.
"Everyone wants more, but I'll be going home a very happy lad at the end of the week now, however things go.
"It's brilliant."
Trainer Willie Mullins said of runner-up Melon: "He ran well and I don't there are any excuses."
Nicky Henderson was pleased with River Wylde's performance to take third.
Cheltenham Tips: Naps from Matt Chapman, Templegate, Sam Twiston-Davies and Jon Francome
- Sam Twiston-Davies: Foxhunters Steeple Chase - Wonderful Charm
- Matt Chapman: Ryanair Chase - Un de Sceaux
- John Francome: JCB Triumph Hurdle - Defi Du Seuil
- Templegate: Gold Cup - Native River
He said: "Last year we were third with Buveur D'Air and he is coming here for the Champion Hurdle, and there was a horse called Sprinter Sacre who finished third in it a few years ago. So third is a good place to finish in the Supreme.
"He ran a terrific race. There is no rush to decide what we do with him, he doesn't have to go chasing. There is no rush to decide, we have got six months to do that."
The well-fancied Ballyandy was the unlucky horse in the race.
His trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "We had no luck in running .
"At the last with a circuit to go he got stopped dead. The winner cruised away and you can't take that away from him. We were beaten by a better horse on the day. He stayed on well, though.
"He will go to Aintree and it might be that we have to go a bit further. It is very disappointing, but he has run well. He will definitely go over fences next season. He jumps hurdles too well as he takes a lot of time in the air."