(Form Book: 4/7 Fav, always close up, 2nd 2 out, led on bridle entering straight, went clear before last, easily). Golden Cygnet started the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham as the 4/5 favourite and as soon as he was asked to make his move at the top of the hill with 3 to jump, he began to take a strong hold. Once he jumped the second last, Madden let him go and he shot clear, flew the final hurdle, and sprinted up the hill to win by 15 lengths from Western Rose in a faster time than the Champion Hurdle, which would take place one hour later. (Form Book: 4/5 Fav, always going easily, led 2 out, went clear flat, impressive). Timeform's 'Chasers & Hurdlers' recorded that "he toyed with his seventeen rivals...pulling over his field and striding majestically up the final hill to win running away by fifteen lengths. The others might as well have stayed in their boxes." Trainer of the runner-up Fred Rimell was astonished at the performance of the winner and told reporters afterwards that he had "never seen a horse win so easily at the Festival." Golden Cygnet was immediately installed as favourite for the 1979 Champion Hurdle. Golden Cygnet ran twice more. First, he headed to the Fairyhouse Easter Festival for the Fingal Hurdle, a race for the best novices in Ireland. As in previous races, he had little difficulty in disposing of his eight opponents, coming home to win eased down by 10 lengths (Form Book: 2/7 Fav, waited with, 2nd 4 out, disputed lead approaching next, soon led, quickened clear approaching last, impressive). It was expected to be his last race of the season, but he was so well in himself afterwards that connections decided to enter him in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr 18 days later. The Scottish Champion Hurdle represented a huge step up in grade. Until now, Golden Cygnet had been taking on fellow novices. At Ayr, he faced very experienced hurdlers of the highest class. It was also a handicap. In most years, a Cheltenham-winning novice could expect to receive up to or more in weight from their more experienced championship rivals, especially from the likes of Night Nurse, the Champion Hurdle winner in 1976 & 1977, and Sea Pigeon who went on to win the Champion Hurdle in 1980 & 1981.