The Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle has possibly never been so competitive. An enormous, full field of 22 has been declared for this year’s renewal, with so many chancing their top level prospects.

GG tipster Joe Napier previews this year’s renewal and gives his verdict among a packed line-up.

2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle Runners

Despite the big field, the definite place to start is No Drama This End. Paul Nicholls’ grey has drawn Denman comparisons and his performances have been promising in that regard. He did well to control the Challow Hurdle from start to finish at Newbury, but this is a different contest altogether.

Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey tie in closely on form from Ireland. Both have potential up in trip, though the former should confirm form with the latter. King Rasko Grey’s stablemate Sober must only have been a narrow second choice among the Willie Mullins contingent too. Patrick Mullins takes the ride on the classy flat performer.

Skylight Hustle and I’ll Sort That are also Grade 1 winners already. Declan Queally charge is particularly interesting in this context given how gutsy he is and that should stand him in good stead. Skylight Hustle has been kept fresh and is a very plausible improver.

Act Of Innocence goes for Nicky Henderson for the same connections as Old Park Star. He took in the same prep race as Shishkin last time, with equally successful results.

So many more could be worthy of mention, with Sortudo adding further depth to the Mullins challenge. Bossman Jack is on a roll for Dan Skelton, while at massive prices, Came From Nowhere is probably ahead of his increasing mark and worthy of a Graded run. Hurricane Pat bumped into Old Park Star last time, but is not without a hope up in trip where he won’t have to take on a clear favourite in a small field.

2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle Racecard

13:20 Cheltenham

Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Going Good To Soft
Distance 2m 5f 0y
Class Class 1
Race Type Hurdle Turf
Surface Turf
Runners 21
Win Time 5m 3s

1st 9 1 tip

King Rasko Grey W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

11/1 (Won)

J: Paul Townend T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 4-213

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

2nd 1 1 tip

Act Of Innocence W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

10/1

J: Nico de Boinville T: Nicky Henderson

OR: — RPR: — Form: 41-121

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

3rd 22

Zeus Power W: 11st 7lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

50/1

J: J J Slevin T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

OR: — RPR: — Form: 23211

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

4th 18

Soldier Reeves W: 11st 7lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

150/1

J: Tristan Durrell T: Dan Skelton

OR: — RPR: — Form: 3123

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

5th 8 1 tip

Ill Sort That W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

15/2

J: Mr D L Queally T: Declan Queally

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2-1111

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

6th 3 1 tip

Bossman Jack W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

18/1

J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton

OR: — RPR: — Form: 1-311

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

7th 15

Shuttle Diplomacy W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

50/1

J: Daniel King T: Thomas Cooper

OR: — RPR: — Form: 5-P721

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

8th 10

Klimt Madrik W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

80/1

J: Kevin Brogan T: Toby Lawes

OR: — RPR: — Form: 412

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

9th 7

Hurricane Pat W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

33/1

J: Caoilin Quinn T: Gary & Josh Moore

OR: — RPR: — Form: 31-112

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

10th 2 3 tips

Ballyfad OUR TIP W: 11st 7lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

11/1

J: Jack Kennedy T: Gordon Elliott

OR: — RPR: — Form: 1112

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

11th 11

Laurets dEstruval W: 11st 7lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

50/1

J: Brian Hayes T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2-21

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

12th 5

Fortune Timmy W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

80/1

J: Freddie Gordon T: Chris Gordon

OR: — RPR: — Form: 1313

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

13th 19

Sortudo W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

13/2

J: Danny Mullins T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 271-12

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

14th 6

Free Spirit W: 11st 7lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

100/1

J: Mark Walsh T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2-13

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

15th 20

Taurus Bay W: 11st 7lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

33/1

J: Ben Jones T: Ben Pauling

OR: — RPR: — Form: 112

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

16th 17 1 tip

Sober W: 11st 7lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

17/2

J: Mr P W Mullins T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 11

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

17th 13

Riskaway W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

50/1

J: Sam Ewing T: Gordon Elliott

OR: — RPR: — Form: -42124

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

18th 21

Walks In June W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

150/1

J: Darragh O’Keeffe T: Henry De Bromhead

OR: — RPR: — Form: 35-161

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 12 4 tips

No Drama This End W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

5/2F

J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls

OR: — RPR: — Form: 19-111

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

F 14

Saint Baco W: 11st 7lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

33/1

J: Sean O’Keeffe T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 3-16

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

F 16 3 tips

Skylight Hustle W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

8/1

J: Danny Gilligan T: Gordon Elliott

OR: — RPR: — Form: 4-211

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

Non-runners

Came From Nowhere

+o+e Betting Returns

	Payout
Exacta	£129.20
Straight Forecast	£113.61
Tricast	£5274.17
Trifecta	£5321.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

SPOTLIGHT:

TOPSPEED:

The Sun:

Daily Mirror:

POSTDATA:

LAMBOURN:

The Times:

Telegraph:

D Express:

Daily Mail:

Daily Record:

WEST COUNTRY:

The Guardian:

The Star:

2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle Trends

The Turners Novices’ Hurdle has been won by four odds-on favourites since 2017. However, with that trend miles out the window given the openness of this renewal, which trends could be worth following?

Eight of the last ten winners have been trained in Ireland
Eight of the last ten winners have been six years old
The last double-figure odds winner was in 2017
Only two horses at double-figure odds have even placed in the last five renewals

2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle Tips

An immensely competitive Grade 1. No Drama This End will be tested like never before and Ballyfad may possess the stronger form having finished second in a Dublin Racing Festival Grade 1. He was collared only on the line and should appreciate this step up in trip. There is no shortage of dangers though, with high-class flat horse Sober dangerous if his jumping holds up early, while I’ll Sort That should not be underestimated. Came From Nowhere and Hurricane Pat are interesting of the outsiders.

Ballyfad

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Result

10th 11/1

Sober

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Result

16th 17/2

Ill Sort That

J: Mr D L Queally

T: Declan Queally

Result

5th 15/2

FAQs

When and where is the Turners Novices’ Hurdle run?

The Turners Novices’ Hurdle will take place at Cheltenham racecourse on Wednesday 11 March, 2026 at 1.20pm.

How can I watch the Turners Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday?

The Turners Novices’ Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing at 1.20pm.

When were the Turners Novices’ Hurdle tips published?

The tips for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle were published at 1pm on Tuesday 10 March.

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Next Race Off

2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle Tips, Odds, Racecard & Trends - Huge field no fad for Elliott runner

2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle Runners

2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle Racecard

13:20 Cheltenham

Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

+o+e Betting Returns

Selections

2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle Trends

2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle Tips

FAQs

When and where is the Turners Novices’ Hurdle run?

How can I watch the Turners Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday?

When were the Turners Novices’ Hurdle tips published?