Turners Novices' Hurdle 2026 Tips - Two value bets for Wednesday's opener
The 2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival is set to showcase top talents from England and Ireland. Key contenders include No Drama This End and Mighty Park, with Sortudo and Hurricane Pat offering value bets. Sortudo, despite being underrated, has strong seasonal form, and Hurricane Pat is expected to exceed expectations. The race is part of Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival, scheduled for March 10th at 1:20 pm, with a first prize of £84,405.
- Predictions and best bets for the 2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle
- This Grade One takes place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on March 11th
- Sortudo (14/1) and Hurricane Pat (66/1) feature in our selections
Day two of the Cheltenham Festival opens with the Turners' Novices' Hurdle, a Grade One that has been won by future Champion Hurdlers and Stayers' Hurdle winners alike.
We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Turners' Novices' Hurdle tips for 2026, including our best bet and race verdict.
Last Updated: 9.3.2026
Race Info
| Race | Turners Novices' Hurdle |
| Date | Wednesday, March 10th, 2026 |
| Start Time | 1:20pm |
| Status | Grade One |
| Distance | 2m5f |
| First Prize | £84,405 |
| Going | NA |
| Runners | 22 |
| Favourite | No Drama This End (4/1) |
The Home Challengers
Paul Nicholls came closest to winning this Grade One when the great Denman was beaten into second back in 2006. He'll be hoping to go one better this year when No Drama This End lines up at Cheltenham.
Harry Cobden's mount cruised to victory in the Hyde Novices' Hurdle on his first start over obstacles here in November. Nicholls' star then sauntered to victory in the Winter Novices' Hurdle, before another easy victory in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
The New Lion ended the Challow Hurdle hoodoo by winning this race 12 months ago, and No Drama This End looks to have the class to do the same. However, the form of his three Graded wins doesn't seem particularly strong, and I fancy he could be vulnerable to a classier Irish raider.
Old Park Star's colours will be carried into the Turners by Act Of Innocence, following his victory in the Sidney Banks. Nicky Henderson's charge has been extremely consistent throughout his career, and might be able to raise his game over this longer trip.
Kripticjim just about managed to hold Taurus Bay at bay to land the Classic Novices' Hurdle on Trials Day. I'd say that the runner-up is the classier of the two contenders, and wasn't helped by some fairly sloppy jumping. Neither seems up to Grade One standard just yet, but are entitled to take their chance at the Cheltenham Festival.
Bossman Jack is a potential challenger for the Skeltons. Klimt Madrik wasn't beaten far in the Challow, and could remain at Grade One level. Came From Nowhere, Hurricane Pat and Mondoui'boy have the potential to run better than their odds would suggest.
Irish Raiders
Having been compared to the great Faugheen in Willie Mullins' pre-Cheltenham Festival stable tour, Mighty Park has made his way to the head of the Turners market. Mark Walsh's mount motored to a hugely impressive maiden win at Fairyhouse in January, and Mullins seems more than happy to throw Mighty Park into this Grade One on the back of that solitary outing.
Doctor Steinberg seems highly likely to head to the Albert Bartlett, which would see Paul Townend reprise his partnership with King Rasko Grey. Mullins' star was a massive drifter ahead of the Tattersalls Novice Hurdle, but still ran a mighty race at the Dublin Racing Festival, losing out to Talk The Talk by half-a-length.
Ballyfad finished second in that Grade One, and ran a cracking race in defeat. Gordon Elliott's charge made all to beat Leader d'Allier at Leopardstown over Christmas, and looked like he'd improve for a step up in distance at Cheltenham.
Elliott will also be represented by Grade One winner Skylight Hustle. Jack Kennedy's mount took advantage of a final flight fall from Talk The Talk to strike over Christmas, and Gordon was quick to stress that this six-year-old would be even more effective when stepped up in trip.
Declan Queally did the training and the steering when I'll Sort That landed the Ballymore Novice Hurdle in January. That Grade One is renowned for producing Cheltenham Festival winners, but the form doesn't look anywhere near as solid as the two Grade Ones at Leopardstown.
Saint Baco could bolster Willie Mullins' team, despite disappointing at Navan. Shuttle Diplomacy finished third in the Champion Bumper and has built up plenty of experience over hurdles.
2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle Tips
| Bet Type | Name | Odds (9.3.2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bet 1 | Sortudo | 14/1 |
| Value Bet 2 | Hurricane Pat | 66/1 |
Note: These selections are subject to change. All of my selections will be finalised once the fields have been confirmed.
I've really struggled with this year's Turners. At the ante-post stage, I put up Ballyfad as my selection, and I still expect him to run well. However, good ground isn't ideal for Gordon Elliott's front-runner, and I'd rather side with one who'll be ridden behind the pace with a strong finishing kick.
I was expecting SORTUDO (14/1) to take up his entry in the Albert Bartlett. However, Willie Mullins has declared his novice for the Turners and, what's more, he'll be ridden by Danny Mullins, as Patrick has picked up the ride on Sober.
Danny was in the saddle when Sortudo finished a decent seventh in last year's Champion Bumper. Willie's charge had finished second to decent sorts on his first two starts on the level, and rounded off last season by slamming I'll Sort That by 12 lengths in a bumper at Fairyhouse.
Sortudo kicked off his career over hurdles by thrashing Jalon d'Oudairies over two miles at Cork, where Danny Mullins again did the steering. Patrick jumped into the saddle for the Grade One Ballymore Novice Hurdle and, in fairness, gave the favourite a good ride to finish second to the front-running I'll Sort That, as the top two pulled miles clear of the field.
Mullins' six-year-old surprised me with the gears he showed when beating Jalon d'Oudairies over the minimum distance on his hurdles debut. Sortudo's bumper form is very strong, and that Grade One at Naas is renowned for producing Cheltenham Festival winners.
With four paid places on offer with most firms, I'm going to take a punt on HURRICANE PAT (66/1) at a wild price. Gary and Josh Moore's six-year-old was wildly impressive when landing the Listed Claremont Novices' Hurdle at Sandown in December, where he destroyed Soldier Reeves and Sober Glory without coming off the bridle.
Caoilin Quinn tried valiantly to hang onto Old Park Star's coattails throughout the entire Rossington Main at Haydock, but had no response when the Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite turned on the afterburners on the approach to the second-last. Hurricane Pat lost nothing in defeat that day, and I could see him improving for this step up in trip. He's no backmarker, that's for sure.
Live Stream
Visit our Turners Novices' Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day one of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival via a mobile or tablet.
Turners Novices' Hurdle 2026 FAQs
- When is the Turners Novices' Hurdle 2026?
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle will take place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 11th March, 2026.
- What time does the Turners Novices' Hurdle go off?
The Turners Novices' Hurdle is scheduled to start at 1:20pm on March 11th.
- Who will win the 2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle?
This year's Turners is shaping up to be a cracker, with top challengers from England and Ireland set to clash. Ballyfad went close in Grade One company at the Dublin Racing Festival, and Gordon Elliott's youngster will relish this step up in trip.
- Where can I watch the 2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle?
The Turners Novices' Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.
Verdict
Sortudo is still a little overlooked in the betting for this year's Turners Novices' Hurdle, and offers plenty of value given his seasonal form.
Another I like at a double figure price is Hurricane Pat, who I expect will outrun his odds.
Another I like at a double figure price is Hurricane Pat, who I expect will outrun his odds.
Sortudo E/W
2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle Best Bet
@14/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
in free bets
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Hurricane Pat E/W
2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle Value Bet
@66/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
in free bets
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
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