Day two at the Cheltenham Festival kicks off with the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle. This Grade One is open to novice hurdlers of four and above, and many winners of the race formerly known as the Ballymore go onto achieve further success over both hurdles and fences. In 2025, Turners took over the sponsorship of the opener on day two.
Our guide to the Turners will be published in the weeks leading up to the Cheltenham Festival.
Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle Result
Position
Name
SP
1st
The New Lion
3/1
2nd
The Yellow Clay
5/2
3rd
Final Demand
6/4f
Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle Day Card
Cheltenham Day 2 Card
Time
Wednesday Races
Status
Distance
13:20
Turners Novices' Hurdle
Grade One
2m 5f
14:00
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
Grade One
3m
14:40
Coral Cup
Grade Three Handicap
2m 5f
15:20
Cross Country Chase
Class Two Handicap
3m 6f
16:00
Champion Chase
Grade One
2m
16:40
Grand Annual Chase
Grade Three Handicap
2m
17:20
Champion Bumper
Grade One
2m
Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle History
Registered as the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle, this Grade One was introduced to the Cheltenham Festival in 1971. It's run on day two at the Cheltenham Festival, and entrants tackle a testing two-mile-five-furlong trip.
In 2006, Ballymore Properties took over the sponsorship of the race, and it's been known as the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle ever since.
The Ballymore is known for producing top-quality winners, with many going on to secure further success at future Cheltenham Festivals.
Top trainers like Fred Winter, Paddy Mullins and Fred Rimell saddled Ballymore winners in the 1970's and 80s. Oliver Sherwood rode Venture To Cognac to victory in 1979, before training backing to back winners in 1987 and '88.
The great Istabraq won the Ballymore in 1997, before going on to secure a hat-trick of Champion Hurdle winners in the three subsequent seasons.
Two time Champion Hurdle winner, Hardy Eustace won his first Cheltenham Festival race in the 2003 Ballymore. Faugheen also won the Ballymore, the year before his Champion Hurdle success in 2014.
Fan's favourites Simonsig and The New One both won the Ballymore in the mid-2010s. Ben Pauling celebrated his first Festival winner when Willoughby Court won the Ballymore in 2017.
Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins have formed a potent partnership in the Ballymore in recent season, winning the race four times between 2008 and 2016. Any Cheltenham Festival tips will feature Willie Mullins' name heavily.
Irish rival, Gordon Elliott has won two of the last three runnings. First with Samcro in 2018, who went on to score in the Marsh Novices' Chase at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
Elliott saddled his second winner in 2020, as 4/7 favourite Envoi Allen proved he was the rising star of the sport with a peerless display, beating stablemate Easywork by almost five lengths. Bob Olinger rewarded favourite backers the following year too, romping to victory under Rachael Blackmore.
Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle Winners
Year
Winner
2025
The New Lion
2024
Ballyburn
2023
Impaire Et Passe
2022
Sir Gerhard
2021
Bob Olinger
2020
Envoi Allen
2019
City Island
2018
Samcro
2017
Willougby Court
2016
Yorkhill
2015
Windsor Park
2014
Faugheen
2013
The New One
2012
Simonsig
2011
First Lieutenant
2010
Peddler's Cross
2009
Mikael d'Haguenet
2008
Fiveforthree
2007
Massini's Maguire
2006
Nicanor
2005
No Refuge
2004
Fundamentalist
2003
Hardy Eustace
2002
Galileo
Turners Novices' Hurdle FAQs
When is the Turners Novices' Hurdle?
The 2026 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle will take place at 1:20pm on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 11th March.
What is the Turners?
The Turners Novices' Hurdle is a Grade One race that takes place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival. The Turners is open only to novice hurdlers and the trip is 2m 5f.
Who won the Turners Novices' Hurdle?
In 2025, The New Lion won the Turners Novices' Hurdle for Dan and Harry Skelton.
Where can I watch the Turners?
The Turners Novices' Hurdle will be shown live on ITV Racing. If you want to stream the race live on your mobile or tablet then visit our Live Streaming page for more details.
