With final declarations in for today’s 2026 Turners Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham, punters can finally stop guessing and start plotting.
The Grade 1 showdown over 2m5f on the Old Course at 1:20pm promises a proper test of middle-distance mettle among 22 unexposed hurdlers.
This renewal of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, officially the Baring Bingham, kicks off day two of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday, March 11.
All carry 11-7, with ratings clustered around 135-149, suggesting a tight contest where jumping fluency and tactical nous could decide it.
Willie Mullins saddles a formidable quartet, while Gordon Elliott and Paul Nicholls bring serious firepower too.
The Old Course’s uphill finish over this trip often rewards those who travel strongly without wasting fuel early.
Expect a strong pace from the off, given the quality here, which is perfect for horses who quicken off a solid gallop rather than grind it out like in the Albert Bartlett.
Who Tops The Odds?
No Drama This End tops most lists, with Harry Cobden aboard for Paul Nicholls. The six-year-old boasts three wins from three this seaosn, including a Challow Hurdle romp at Newbury and a Grade 2 demolition at Sandown – impressive, if you ignore the so-called Challow Curse in this race!
Skylight Hustle lurks further down the betting, but only marginally, for Elliott and Danny Gilligan. His form reads like a Cheltenham script: progressive, two back-to-back wins, and ticking up to this level without fanfare.
Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey complete the top bracket, the former with Elliott’s polish and the latter carrying Mullins’ trademark class after strong Irish novice showings.
Sober edges in at for Willie and Patrick Mullins, a lightly raced sort whose fluent jumping and turn of foot make him dangerous if the ground suits.
*Odds from Betfred correct at time of publishing
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Drama This End | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls | 9/4 |
| Sober | Mr P W Mullins | W P Mullins | 13/2 |
| King Rasko Grey | Paul Townend | W P Mullins | 15/2 |
| Act Of Innocence | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 17/2 |
| Ballyfad | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott | 11/1 |
| Sortudo | Danny Mullins | W P Mullins | 11/1 |
| Bossman Jack | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton | 12/1 |
| I’ll Sort That | Mr D L Queally | Declan Queally | 12/1 |
| Skylight Hustle | Danny Gilligan | Gordon Elliott | 14/1 |
| Shuttle Diplomacy | Daniel King | Thomas Cooper | 25/1 |
| Taurus Bay | Ben Jones | Ben Pauling | 28/1 |
| Zeus Power | J J Slevin | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | 28/1 |
| Saint Baco | Sean O’Keeffe | W P Mullins | 33/1 |
| Hurricane Pat | Caoilin Quinn | Gary & Josh Moore | 40/1 |
| Klimt Madrik | Kevin Brogan | Toby Lawes | 40/1 |
| Laurets D’estruval | Brian Hayes | W P Mullins | 40/1 |
| Soldier Reeves | Tristan Durrell | Dan Skelton | 66/1 |
| Came From Nowhere | Lorcan Williams | Jeremy Scott | 80/1 |
| Riskaway | Sam Ewing | Gordon Elliott | 80/1 |
| Walks In June | Darragh O’Keeffe | Henry De Bromhead | 100/1 |
| Free Spirit | Mark Walsh | W P Mullins | 125/1 |
| Fortune Timmy | Freddie Gordon | Chris Gordon | 150/1 |
Key Contenders Breakdown
Mullins’ raid features King Rasko Grey, who chased home top sorts in Ireland before a Grade 1 placing at Leopardstown in February and Paul Townend retains the ride on this smooth operator.
Sortudo and Laurets d’Estruval add depth; the former beaten narrowly when favourite last time, the latter has less experience with only two maidens under his belt but don’t rule him out.
Elliott’s trio – Ballyfad, Skylight Hustle, Riskaway – brings Irish speed. Ballyfad has progressed through the ranks quickly this season, while Skylight Hustle has already notched up a Grade 1 win at Leopardstown.
Paul Nicholls’ No Drama This End looks the type: travels like a dream, jumps cleanly, and powered home at Sandown with Cobden barely moving. Dan Skelton’s Bossman Jack could ambush if the Skeltons click again here.
Picking A Winner
Large fields of novice hurdlers are notoriously difficult when it comes to picking a winner. Few have hardly been seen except for the occasional maiden so, unless you are a bonafide horse racing enthusiast, you may not have heard much about them.
To help you along, here are some trends to point you in the right direction.
The last 12 winners averaged 146+ on ratings – eight of these 22 qualify, narrowing the shortlist nicely.
Age skews to 5-6yos (11/12), with no 4yos or 7+ thriving lately; that’s good news for the bulk here.
Coming into the race on a win stamps 11/12 recent victors – check No Drama This End, Act Of Innocence, Skylight Hustle.
Challow Hurdle form is 0/21 here, so fade that ghost despite No Drama’s Newbury heroics.
Multiple hurdle wins and limited exposure (no more than three runs for 71%) favour fresh legs over battle-hardened types.
Willie Mullins has seven historical strikes, Elliott two from ten runners. Irish runners place often, but home yards hold sway in tight finishes.
2026 Turners Novices Hurdle Tips
No Drama This End stands out: Challow notwithstanding, his Sandown cruise and sectional strength scream suitability. Short odds so better for the win bet.
Skylight Hustle also gets the nod; Elliott’s progressive sorts thrive here, and his form ties in well with beaten rivals – reasonably good odds for an each-way bet.
King Rasko Grey for exotic plays as Mullins’ second string often outruns odds.
As declarations have been locked in, this Turners is shaping up as a beauty. We have depth throughout, with trainers’ big guns pointed squarely at glory.
Tune in later today in what could be the race that defines day two, or at least fills a few dockets.
Fingers crossed the weatherman plays fair; these novices deserve their shot at immortality!
BETFRED
