Cheltenham betting: 2026 Turners Novices’ Hurdle contenders and tip

With the first day of Cheltenham betting in the books, Coral looks forward to the opener on day two with its tip for the Tuners Novices' Hurdle.

Coral's Turners Novices' Hurdle Cheltenham 2026 tip

With the full-sized field of 22 taking part, this race looks likely to be dramatic and hard to predict. 

Paul Nicholls’ No Drama This End has won each of his starts over hurdles far, racking up two Grade Two wins and one Grade One last time. A talented individual for a top yard, he has shown few chinks in his armour and is well thought of by the yard. He is a worthy favourite. 

Skylight Hustle seeks a hat-trick for Gordon Elliott and is rated above No Drama This End, but he untried over this trip and, though he is bred to get it, it’s not proven. 

The stable’s first string is Ballyfad, who was beaten just a head by the classy Talk The Talk at Leopardstown last time. With the pedigree to suit this step up in trip, he could excel here under Jack Kennedy and no ground description will change this. 

Willie Mullins’ first string is King Rasko, who was behind Ballyfad at Leopardstown and has both speed and stamina in his breeding. He’s an interesting pick for Paul Townend and must be respected.

Patrick Mullins rides Sober for the yard, who seeks a hat-trick on only his third start over hurdles. A quality horse on the Flat, he could be a dark horse having won a Grade Two race last time over hurdles, but he stays this trip on the Flat, so can replicate that here.

Dan Skelton’s Bossman Jack also seeks a hat-trick, which would maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles. He is another tried over this trip for the first time and, as a half brother to Gidleigh Park, he is sure to stay the trip. He is probably overlooked at 12/1, but this is a very competitive race.

Coral’s big-race tip: Sober at 13/2

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.