A look at the favourites for the Turners Novices' Hurdle
The Turners Novices’ Hurdle is set to be one of the most exciting contests of the Cheltenham Festival, attracting a high-class field of emerging talent in this sphere.
Run over two miles and five furlongs; the race serves as a key stepping stone for novice hurdlers with aspirations of top-level success.
With a blend of speed, stamina, and jumping prowess required to triumph, the competition is fierce, and this year’s renewal promises to be no exception.
In this article, we break down the Cheltenham bets markets—taking a closer look at the leading contenders and what form they bring to the table.
The New Lion – 5/2
The New Lion will be donning new silks when he’s seen at the Cheltenham Festival, as his performances this season attracted the attention of esteemed owner JP McManus.
The six-year-old, who won a bumper on his sole start of last season, seamlessly transitioned to hurdles when winning a maiden at Chepstow in October.
He followed that up at Newbury the following month, but it was his Grade 1 Challow Hurdle victory back at the course over Christmas that forced the Irish billionaire to get the chequebook out.
The New Lion will remain to be trained by Dan Skelton and has a fantastic chance to add to the Warwickshire-based trainer’s 10 Festival winners.
Potters Charm – 7/1
A £105,000 purchase by El Rincon, a syndicate that includes the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, after finishing second in a point-to-point, Potters Charm is unbeaten under rules.
A comfortable bumper winner at Ffos Las on debut last March, the six-year-old boasts four wins over hurdles already this campaign.
Following wins at Worcester and Cheltenham, Potters Charm stepped up in class when winning the Grade 2 Hyde Novices’ Hurdle back at Prestbury Park in November.
He secured a first Grade 1 in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day, and 7/1 is tempting, considering he’s a course and distance winner already.
The Yellow Clay – 7/1
Nowadays, it’s rare for a Cheltenham Festival race not to have a prominent Irish contender at the fore of the betting.
And, with The Yellow Clay’s unignorable presence, the visitors have a chance of winning this for the eighth year in a row.
Trained by Gordon Elliott, who has won this contest twice with Samcro and Envoi Allen since 2018, the six-year-old is also unbeaten in four starts over hurdles.
Grade 3, Grade 2, and Grade 1 wins in his last three starts are proof of his class, and despite being more favoured for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, his trainer has suggested this race is more likely.
Kopek Des Bordes – 10/1
The ever-present Willie Mullins has won the last three editions of this race with Sir Gerhard, Impaire Et Passe, and Ballyburn, and he’s in with a shout with the unexposed Kopek Des Bordes.
A bumper winner on debut last March, the five-year-old followed up with another triumph on his first start over the smaller obstacles in a Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.
That success wasn’t as convincing as some might have hoped. However, it’s hard to dig too deep into it, given it was a first attempt, and he should come on from that in future starts.
The Grade 1 Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival will be Kopek Des Bordes’ first proper test, and if he proves his credentials, he’ll be much shorter than 10/1 for this race.
