we use as a chained-boot loader bender[0], which relocates the boot modules before the NOVA kernel actually starts. You may try to remove it and see whether this changes things.
Well, I have remaster the 16.08 nova.iso to remove bender and put nova as the kernel. Still rebooting as soon as the boot line appears on the screen (did not connect other computer to capture serial port).
Will try install Genode chain and try to generate simple run image with it.