Paul Nicholls' No Drama This End is rated the one to beat in the 2026 Turners Novices' Hurdle odds as he looks to give Britain back-to-back wins in this race after The New Lion roared to victory last term.
However, Ireland had previously prevailed in seven straight renewals of the 2m 5f contest, and we're taking a look at the leading Emerald Isle raiders this time.
With BOYLE Sports offering money back as a FREE Bet if your horse loses in the first race every day at the Cheltenham Festival (up to £/€10), there is obvious appeal in having a punt here.
Betting Odds
Turners Novices' Hurdle Odds – Cheltenham Festival 2026
Horse | Odds | Chance (%) |
|---|---|---|
No Drama This End | 10/3 | 23.1% |
King Rasko Grey | 11/2 | 15.4% |
Act Of Innocence | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Bossman Jack | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Sober | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Ballyfad | 9/1 | 10.0% |
Skylight Hustle | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Sortudo | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Shuttle Diplomacy | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Hurricane Pat | 20/1 | 4.8% |
I'll Sort That | 20/1 | 4.8% |
Taurus Bay | 20/1 | 4.8% |
Klimt Madrik | 40/1 | 2.4% |
Laurets D'Estruval | 40/1 | 2.4% |
Saint Baco | 40/1 | 2.4% |
Zeus Power | 40/1 | 2.4% |
Soldier Reeves | 50/1 | 2.0% |
Came From Nowhere | 66/1 | 1.5% |
Free Spirit | 66/1 | 1.5% |
Walks In June | 66/1 | 1.5% |
Fortune Timmy | 80/1 | 1.2% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Betting Tips
Turners Novices' Hurdle Tips
Ballyfad – 9/1
Ballyfad – 9/1
Gordon Elliott's five-year-old followed up a point-to-point win with two workmanlike bumper victories but then really began to flourish when put back over obstacles, routing Leader d'Allier in a Leopardstown maiden.
Ballyfad was only collared in the closing strides by Talk The Talk at Grade One level at the Dublin Racing Festival and all the evidence suggests he should relish this step up in distance.
"My own feeling is the further he goes, the better he's going to be," said Elliott. "He's not a fancy work horse at home and if you look at him in his races, he nearly looks beaten turning in, but he's very gutsy and keeps picking up."
Skylight Hustle – 11/2
Skylight Hustle – 11/2
Another Elliott entry with top-level form on his CV, this six-year-old son of Jukebox Jury benefitted from Talk The Talk taking a tumble in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.
However, he still pulled nicely clear of a couple of useful rivals in Carrigmoornaspruce and Love Me Tender that day and, like his stablemate, Skylight Hustle races as though this stiffer test of stamina will suit.
King Rasko Grey – 6/1
King Rasko Grey – 6/1
Carries the Galopin Des Champs colours and followed up a comfortable Limerick maiden win by finishing a close third behind Talk The Talk and Ballyfad last month.
Willie Mullins added some spice to that display by stating: "Jumping the last, I was thinking my fellow looks like a mare in foal compared to the other two.
"I think he has every chance of improving more than they will condition-wise and they are two of the top ones in Ireland, so that brings him right into it."
Sober – 6/1
Sober – 6/1
Had some smart form on the Flat in France for Andre Fabre, notably landing a Group Two triumph at Longchamp, and is unbeaten in three starts since joining Mullins, including an emphatic Royal Ascot success on the level.
Has been put forward by Patrick Mullins as one who could enjoy Cheltenham and Sober's Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle win at Punchestown was a good omen, as past Closutton victors in that contest such as Mikael d'Haguenet, Vautour, Douvan and Impaire Et Passe went on to Festival glory.
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