Sunday, January 25, 2026
Races

Turners Novices Hurdle

Turners Novices Hurdle

The Turners Novices’ Hurdle opens Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival and is widely regarded as the strongest of the four novice hurdle contests.

Formerly the Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle (1974–2006), it has since been run under several titles, including the Neptune, Ballymore and Gallagher, before taking its current sponsorship from Turners. Its registered name is the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle, honouring William Baring Bingham, who staged the first National Hunt meeting at Prestbury Park in 1902.

Despite being run over a trip more than half a mile longer, it has proved a reliable guide to future Champion Hurdle success, with Istabraq, Hardy Eustace and Faugheen completing the double. It has also produced high-class chasers such as Davy Lad, Sabin du Loir and First Lieutenant.

Recent renewals have been dominated by class, with no winner rated below 146 since 2011. The market has also been a strong pointer, with five of the last eight favourites winning and only one winner priced bigger than 8/1 since 2007.

 

Wednesday 13.20 | 4yo+ novices | Grade 1
2 miles 5 furlongs | 10 hurdles | Old Course
Weight: 10st 9lb (4yo) / 11st 7lb (5yo+) | Allowance: 7lb for fillies & mares
2025 Prize money: £150,000

 



 

PREVIOUS WINNERS

YEAR WINNER SP
2025 The New Lion 3/1
2024 Ballyburn 1/2f
2023 Impaire Et Passe 5/2
2022 Sir Gerhard 8/11
2021 Bob Olinger 6/4f
2020 Envoi Allen 4/7f
2019 City Island 8/1
2018 Samcro 8/11
2017 Willoughby Court 14/1
2016 Yorkhill 3/1
2015 Windsor Park 9/2
2014 Faugheen 6/4f
2013 The New One 7/2
2012 Simonsig 2/1f
2011 First Lieutenant 7/1
2010 Peddlers Cross 7/1
2009 Mikael d’Haguenet 5/2f
2008 Fiveforthree 7/1
2007 Massini’s Maguire 20/1
2006 Nicanor 17/2
2005 No Refuge 17/2
2004 Fundamentalist 12/1
2003 Hardy Eustace 6/1
2002 Galileo 12/1
2001 FESTIVAL CANCELLED N/A
2000 Monsignor 5/4f