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13:20Supreme Novices' Hurdle
14:00Arkle Chase
14:40Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
15:20Ultima Handicap Chase
16:00Champion Hurdle
16:40TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap
17:20National Hunt Chase
13:20Turner's Novices' Hurdle
14:00Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
14:40BetMGM Cup Hurdle (Coral Cup)
15:20Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
16:00Champion Chase
16:40Grand Annual Chase
17:20Champion Bumper
Turner's Novices' Hurdle
13:20 Cheltenham Festival
2026-03-11
Winner: £84,405
Runners: 21
Going: Good To Soft
No. of hurdles: 10
Distance:
The Turners Novices' Hurdle, formerly known as the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, and registered as The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle takes place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival, it is the premier race during the jumps season for novice hurdlers over the trip of 2m5f. It is a launchpad for top-class hurdlers and has been won by the likes of Istabraq, Hardy Eustace and Faugheen, all of whom went on to win the Champion Hurdle the following season.
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17(0)
11
Sober
-
J: Mr P W Mullins
T: W P Mullins
7
11-7
0
148
Group class for Andre Fabre on the Flat and his win in last year's Queen Alexandra (good to firm) at Royal Ascot for this yard was sandwiched between two hurdle wins, in a Killarney novice (2m4f, yielding) in May and a triumphant comeback in Punchestown Grade 2 (about 2m, soft to heavy) two months ago despite drifting in the market; can likely fly higher in this sphere, particularly when his hurdling tightens up, and he's a fascinating contender.
15(0)
5-P721
Shuttle Diplomacy
-
J: Daniel King
T: Thomas Cooper
6
11-7
138
145
Won Limerick Listed bumper two years ago and a cracking effort when third in the Champion Bumper (good to soft; Sortudo and No Drama This End behind) at last season's Cheltenham Festival; disappointed on first two starts over hurdles but he rediscovered his groove in a newly fitted tongue-tie when second to King Rasko Grey at Limerick (2m, soft to heavy) in December before beating 15 others to win at Naas (about 2m2f, heavy) last time; this forecast better ground should be fine and he's not one to dismiss lightly.
10(0)
412
Klimt Madrik
-
J: Kevin Brogan
T: Toby Lawes
6
11-7
138
144
Chasing type who followed a solid hurdles debut in October by stepping up to win a Newbury novice (about 2m5f, soft) one month later; showed a good attitude that day and it was a fine effort when chasing home No Drama This End in the Grade 1 Challow over that C&D (good) towards the end of December; has work to do to turn those tables but he's the sort to outrun his likely odds.
12(0)
19-111
No Drama This End
-
J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
6
11-7
144
156
Impressively rewarded market support on bumper debut at Warwick last term before midfield in the Champion Bumper at last year's Cheltenham Festival; quickly established himself as the leading British-based hope for this race when laughing at a good one in C&D Grade 2 in November before following up in the same grade at Sandown (2m4f, also soft) the following month; merely needed to be nudged along to make his Grade 1 breakthrough in the Challow at Newbury (good) in December and holds strong claims of following in the footsteps of The New Lion, who won that race before taking this last season.
1(0)
41-121
Act Of Innocence
-
J: Nico de Boinville
T: Nicky Henderson
6
11-7
138
146
Considered a Supreme hope at the start of the term and he did nothing to dispel those thoughts when impressing on hurdles debut in a Newbury maiden (about 2m, soft) in November; surprisingly turned over by a 3yo over that C&D (good) one month later but firmly back on track when sent up in trip to comfortably land a Huntingdon Listed event (about 2m4f, soft) last time; his trainer used that race as a stepping stone to Cheltenham Festival glory for Shishkin in 2020 and this one commands plenty of respect.
7(0)
31-112
Hurricane Pat
-
J: Caoilin Quinn
T: Gary & Josh Moore
6
11-7
136
144
Won his first two over hurdles, readily justifying the odds in Sandown maiden (2m, good to soft) in November before impressing in a Listed event over that C&D (soft, Soldier Reeves second) the following month; paid for trying to match it with the winner when firmly put in his place at Haydock last time, however, and that seemed to expose his limitations; goes up in trip.
9(0)
4-213
King Rasko Grey
-
J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
6
11-7
148
150
Comfortably got the better of Shuttle Diplomacy when winning a Limerick maiden (soft to heavy) on hurdles debut in late December and took the rise in class well when a close third in Leopardstown Grade 1 (also 2m, heavy; Ballyfad just ahead) at the start of February; should stay this far and he's Paul Townend's pick from a choice of six Willie Mullins runners; yard has a strong record in this race and he has to be on the shortlist.
NR(0)
3-3211
Came From Nowhere
-
T: Jeremy Scott
7
11-7
132
145
Bumper winner who arrives here via the handicap route, improving once a tongue-tie was fitted to win at Hereford (about 2m4f) in December and Ascot (about 2m3f, also soft) in January; latter was a comfortable career best (wind surgery since) but this is a different test altogether.
13(0)
-42124
Riskaway
-
J: Sam Ewing
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-7
140
143
Beat Zeus Power (improved since) when drawing clear on hurdles debut at Thurles (good to yielding) in November; consistent on heavy when second to leading BetMGM Cup fancy Storm Heat at Limerick (also 2m4f) and fourth in 2m6f Leopardstown Grade 1; those efforts still leave him with a bit to find.
19(0)
271-12
Sortudo
-
J: Danny Mullins
T: W P Mullins
6
11-7
143
146
Finished mid-division in last season's Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival but he was useful in that sphere and beat I'll Sort That by 12l when making all at Fairyhouse in April; off to the perfect start over hurdles when comfortably winning a Cork maiden (2m, yielding to soft; first-time hood) in November but found his old rival I'll Sort That too strong when second in a Naas Grade 1 (2m4f, soft) two months ago; likely to run well again.
21(0)
35-161
Walks In June
-
J: Darragh O'Keeffe
T: Henry De Bromhead
6
11-7
135
138
Point winner who was strong in the market when he made a winning hurdles debut at Limerick (about 2m, yielding to soft) in October; limitations were seemingly exposed in a heavy-ground Grade 3 at Navan next time but he doubled his tally in this sphere when taking a Leopardstown handicap (also about 2m4f, good to yielding) in late December; will need more but that's not inconceivable for a yard whose runners can rarely be dismissed at this meeting.
3(0)
1-311
Bossman Jack
-
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
6
11-7
134
149
Bumper winner who was off the mark on his second attempt over hurdles when winning a Ffos Las novice in January; heavy odds-on but he still impressed when easily defying a penalty at Chepstow (also 2m, soft) last month; dam won over this trip in a light hurdling career; not far away on the figures for last year's winning stable and he's impossible to rule out.
14(0)
3-16
Saint Baco
-
J: Sean O'Keeffe
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
140
137
Sent off odds-on, despite some unease in the betting, when beating a big field on his stable debut at Navan (2m, soft to heavy) in December and he was a notable market drifter when 9-2 and weakening over this sort of trip in a Naas Grade 1 (soft) fought out by I'll Sort That and Sortudo two months ago; Paul Townend, who was on board last time, has deserted him.
8(0)
2-1111
I'll Sort That
-
J: Mr D L Queally
T: Declan Queally
6
11-7
144
151
100-1 and borderline tailed off in a Cork maiden hurdle in December 2024 but he subsequently turned into a quality bumper performer and has taken it up a notch since resuming career over hurdles, unbeaten in four including Navan Grade 3 (2m, soft to heavy) in November and when repeating forcing tactics in Naas Grade 1 (2m4f, soft; Sortudo second, Saint Baco behind) two months ago; won't find it easy to dominate this field but his gritty attitude was admirable last time and he likely won't go down without a fight.
16(0)
4-211
Skylight Hustle
-
J: Danny Gilligan
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-7
148
153
Won his only point but couldn't justify favouritism when beaten in his sole bumper; solid start over hurdles when second of 20 in a Gowran maiden (heavy) in November and his wide-margin win at Fairyhouse (yielding to soft) three weeks later contained a sprinkling of stardust; fortunate when left clear just after the last in Leopardstown Grade 1 (also 2m, yielding) in December; that still continued his upward trajectory and, while this new trip asks a small question on pedigree, he has to be seriously considered.
6(0)
2-13
Free Spirit
-
J: Mark Walsh
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
0
136
Debut second at Auteuil (2m2f, heavy) in October 2024 and clung on at Dieppe (2m1f, soft) in June 2025; interestingly pitched into Grade 2 on stable debut at Punchestown (about 2m, soft; 9-2) in January, but that third of three behind Sober needs building on; very early days and this new trip might help.
5(0)
1313
Fortune Timmy
-
J: Freddie Gordon
T: Chris Gordon
6
11-7
132
137
Won hurdles debut at Fontwell (2m3f) in October and by a wide margin at same track (2m2f, again good to soft) in December; third in a Grade 2 on the New course here (about 2m5f; Taurus Bay second) was another good effort; that form still leaves him with something to find, however.
20(0)
112
Taurus Bay
-
J: Ben Jones
T: Ben Pauling
5
11-7
135
139
Point winner (3m, yielding) who made it 2-2 over hurdles (2m, good to soft/soft) in three-runner novice at Aintree in December; only just denied over this sort of trip in soft-ground Grade 2 on the New course here in January; has quite a plucky attitude but that form leaves him with something to find.
18(0)
3123
Soldier Reeves
-
J: Tristan Durrell
T: Dan Skelton
5
11-7
131
140
Made a winning debut over hurdles here (about 2m, soft; first-time tongue-tie) in November; readily brushed aside by Hurricane Pat at Sandown the following month, however, and probably flattered to get closer to that rival when soundly beaten at Haydock last time; up in trip with work to do.
2(0)
1112
Ballyfad
-
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
5
11-7
149
151
Unbeaten in a point and two bumpers before easily winning a Leopardstown maiden hurdle (2m, yielding; strong in the market) in December; fine effort when claimed on the line in a Grade 1 over that C&D (heavy) at the start of last month, with King Rasko Grey a close-up third, and his pedigree suggests this new trip will be no problem; very strong claims for his powerful yard.
22(0)
23211
Zeus Power
-
J: J J Slevin
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
5
11-7
135
145
Safely held when second to Riskaway at Thurles (2m4f, good to yielding) but improved since; followed a wide-margin win there (yielding to soft) by responding well for pressure to score at Navan (also 2m, soft to heavy); the step back up in trip is probably of little concern and he might surprise a few.
11(0)
2-21
Laurets d'Estruval
-
J: Brian Hayes
T: W P Mullins
5
11-7
135
141
Runner-up in sole French outing; 12 months off before second of 17 at Limerick (heavy) and he made no mistake when short odds at Thurles (also 2m, soft) last month; Paul Townend jumps ship but it's impossible to know where the ceiling of his ability lies and this new trip may unlock more.
RACING POST TIP
Ballyfad
The biggest field for many a year and Paul Nicholls' Grade 1 winner No Drama This End (second choice) heads the home defence, with that highly promising novice ably assisted by Act Of Innocence and Bossman Jack. He looks sure to make a serious bid but the Irish visitors hold a strong hand and the vote goes to BALLYFAD who mastered King Rasko Grey at Leopardstown over Christmas before being picked off on the line. He doesn't have that race's winner to worry about this time and promises to be suited by this step up in trip. Stablemate Skylight Hustle also needs a close look, while I'll Sort That is likely to have his game face on and should give his supporters a run for their money. Group-class Flat horse Sober, unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, adds a fascinating extra dimension.
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TURNER'S NOVICES' HURDLE PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2025 | The New Lion | 1-111 | 6 | 3/1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2024 | Ballyburn | 11-211 | 6 | 1-2F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2023 | Impaire Et Passe | 1-11 | 5 | 5-2 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2022 | Sir Gerhard | 1-13-11 | 7 | 8-11F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2021 | Bob Olinger | 11-211 | 6 | 6-4F | Henry De Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore |
| 2020 | Envoi Allen | 11-111 | 6 | 4-7F | Gordon Elliott | Davy Russell |
| 2019 | City Island | 11D11 | 6 | 8-1 | Martin Brassil | Mark Walsh |
| 2018 | Samcro | 11-111 | 6 | 8-11F | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
| 2017 | Willoughby Court | 15-211 | 6 | 14-1 | Ben Pauling | David Bass |
| 2016 | Yorkhill | 11-11 | 6 | 3-1 | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2015 | Windsor Park | 1-1142 | 6 | 9-2 | Dermot Weld | Davy Russell |
TURNER'S NOVICES' HURDLE: KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
- Started career in Irish points or bumpers, nine winners in last ten runnings
- Two or three hurdle runs, 10/10
- Rated within 5lb of RPR top-rated, 9/10
- Adjusted RPR of at least 154, 9/10
- Won at least 50 per cent of hurdle runs, 9/10
- Finished first or second in all hurdle runs, 10/10
- Won a Graded hurdle, 10/10
- Scored over at least 2m4f, 8/10
- Aged six, 8/10
Other factors
- Five of the last ten favourites have obliged and in that period only Willoughby Court’s SP (14-1 in 2017) was bigger than 8-1
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WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - TURNER'S NOVICES' HURDLE 2025
The New Lion defeated two well-fancied Irish rivals to land the 2m5f opener on day two of the meeting last year. Dan Skelton’s stable star travelled well through the contest and responded to Harry Skelton’s urgings up the hill to beat The Yellow Clay by three-quarters of a length. The 6-4 favourite Final Demand was back in third in a race dominated by the market principals.