Turners Novices Hurdle Tips 2025 – Will Final Demand Run Away With It?
Formerly known as the Ballymore Novices Hurdle, then Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle, and now the Turners Novices Hurdle, this is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle event, that invites horses aged four years or older to compete.
Taking place on the Old Course at Cheltenham, the race covers approximately 2 miles and 5 furlongs, featuring ten hurdles to clear.
Irish contenders have dominated, securing victory in seven of the last eight editions.
Notably, Willie Mullins stands as the most successful trainer, claiming victory four times in the past ten years, including the last three with Ballyburn (2024), Impaire Et Passe (2023), and Sir Gerhard (2022).
However, Gordon Elliott boasts a strong recent record, winning two of the last seven renewals.
Among the home trainers, Nigel Twiston-Davies holds the record with two wins, achieved with horses such as Fundamentalist and The New One.
Typically, the race is completed in around five minutes. Success tends to favour horses with prior Graded level placements and a victory within the preceding three months.
Winners are often well-supported in the betting market, with Willoughby Court being the sole double-figure priced victor in the last ten years.
Runners To Watch
Below are selected runners who hold entries for the Turners Novices Hurdle 2025.
In 2024, this Grade 1 event was dominated by Ballyburn, trained by the renowned Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend.
Ballyburn’s victory was a testament to Mullins’ consistent success in this race, having won it multiple times in recent years.
As the 2025 edition approaches, all eyes are on another Mullins-trained contender, Final Demand, who has emerged as a strong favourite following impressive performances.
Final Demand
Final Demand’s journey to the top of the betting charts began with a stunning point-to-point victory at Lingstown, followed by a dominant display at the Dublin Racing Festival.
His ability to win with ease, often without being fully tested, has made him a popular choice among punters.
However, the Turners Novices Hurdle is known for its competitiveness, and several other horses could challenge Final Demand’s dominance.
The New Lion
The New Lion, trained by Dan Skelton, is another prominent contender.
This horse has shown remarkable form, winning his last outing by five lengths, and his neat jumping and powerful traveling style make him a serious threat.
The New Lion’s odds reflect his strong chances, and he could prove extremely hard to beat.
The Yellow Clay
Another horse that deserves attention is The Yellow Clay, trained by Gordon Elliott.
With a flawless record of four wins from four starts over hurdles, including a Grade One victory at Naas, The Yellow Clay offers excellent each-way value.
His past performances in bumpers and hurdles suggest he has the potential to upset the favourites.
Potters Charm
Additionally, Potters Charm, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, cannot be overlooked.
Despite a recent loss, connections believe he was not fully prepared for that race and have always had the Turners Novices Hurdle in mind.
His previous form, including a Grade One win at Aintree, makes him a contender for a place.
And The Rest
The field also includes other notable runners like Sixmilebridge, who impressed by beating Potters Charm on Trials Day, and Kappa Jy Pyke, another Mullins-trained horse.
While Final Demand is the favourite, the depth of talent in this race means that several horses could challenge for the top spots.
The Turners Novices Hurdle has historically favoured horses that have won Graded Novice Hurdles and those with strong recent form, which bodes well for Final Demand and The New Lion.
However, the unpredictability of novice hurdle races means that any of the top contenders could emerge victorious.
2025 Turners Novices Hurdle Tips
Despite the dominance of Willie Mullins in this race, I think that it will be Dan Skelton who takes the honours in 2025.
So, for the opening race on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival, I’m backing The New Lion to take the top spot in the Turners Novices Hurdle.
Trained by Dan Skelton and now owned by JP McManus, this talented six-year-old has been unbeaten in all his starts, including a dominant win in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
His impressive form, combined with his neat jumping and powerful traveling style, makes him a strong contender to overcome the favourite, Final Demand.
The New Lion offers excellent value for a horse that has consistently shown he can handle the highest level of competition.
His unbeaten record and the confidence from the Skelton yard make him my top pick for this event.
TIP: The New Lion to Win the Turners Novices Hurdle 2025
Runners & Odds
*odds correct at time of publication
| Number | Name | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Final Demand | P Townend | W P Mullins | 13/8 |
| 10 | The New Lion | Harry Skelton | D Skelton | 7/4 |
| 11 | The Yellow Clay | J W Kennedy | G Elliott | 11/2 |
| 7 | Potters Charm | Sam Twiston-Davies | N A Twiston-Davies | 14/1 |
| 8 | Sixmilebridge | Kielan Woods | F O’Brien | 16/1 |
| 3 | Kaid D’authie | B Hayes | W P Mullins | 25/1 |
| 6 | Kiss Will | Mr P W Mullins | W P Mullins | 25/1 |
| 4 | Kappa Jy Pyke | S F O’Keeffe | W P Mullins | 33/1 |
| 5 | Kel Histoire | M P Walsh | W P Mullins | 33/1 |
| 9 | Supersundae | D E Mullins | W P Mullins | 50/1 |
| 2 | Forty Coats | D J O’Keeffe | H De Bromhead | 80/1 |
Trends
In terms of trends, the Turners Novices Hurdle has seen a dominance of Irish-trained horses in recent years, with 15 of the last 22 winners coming from Ireland.
Additionally, horses aged 5 or 6 have a strong record, with 18 of the last 19 winners falling within this age range.
The race also tends to favour those with a high BHA rating, with 13 of the last 16 winners being among the top two-rated horses.
Given these trends, Final Demand and The Yellow Clay, both trained by prominent Irish trainers and within the preferred age range, are well-positioned.
Who Will Win?
In conclusion, the 2025 Turners Novices Hurdle is shaping up to be a thrilling contest with several horses vying for the top spot.
Final Demand’s impressive form makes him a strong favourite, but The New Lion and The Yellow Clay are well-placed to challenge.
As the race unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how these talented novices perform under the pressure of the Cheltenham Festival.
Whether Final Demand can live up to expectations or if another contender will steal the show remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this race will be a highlight of the festival.
BETFRED
