The Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle (Grade 1) which opened affairs at Cheltenham embodied what the sport of horseracing is all about.

The race was won by 25 - 1 outsider Labaik; a French bred son of Montmartre out of Avanguardia by Choisir, the grey gelding was partnered by young prodigy 17 year old Jack Kennedy, who took the ride for conditioner Gordon Elliot.

It is without a doubt that the unsung stable staff had a huge role to play in Labaik's victory and there could be plenty more to come from him. 

Picture: Sky Sports