Turners Novices' Hurdle Preview: Cheltenham, 11 March 2026
The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle brings together a competitive field of 22 runners over 2m 5f at Cheltenham on good-to-soft ground. Grade 1 company and a strong entry list suggests a high-class renewal.
The Selection: I'll Sort That
I'll Sort That stands out as the clear choice. He carries an impressive RaceMetrics Rating of 1618—the highest in the field—and boasts the strongest record on today's going, with 1 win from 1 run on good-to-soft. His form string reads 7-112111-1, showing multiple wins at distance: 6 wins from 8 runs across all distances, with 2 wins from 3 in Class 1 company. At 19.00, he represents fair value for a horse with such proven credentials on this surface and grade.
The Danger
Sober is genuinely dangerous. He's untried on good-to-soft ground, but his all-distance record is immaculate: 3 wins from 3 runs. In Class 1, he's won his sole start. His H Rating of 1557 sits third-highest in the field, and at 7.00 he's attractively priced given his pristine form. The only caveat is the 59-day absence.
Came From Nowhere offers another serious threat. He holds the second-highest H Rating at 1596 and boasts a strong record on good-to-soft: 2 wins from 3 runs. Across all distances, he's won 3 from 7; however, he's untried in Class 1, which is a material gap. At 67.00, he's an outsider but the ground data is compelling.
At A Price
Bossman Jack merits consideration at 11.00. He's proven on good-to-soft (1 win from 2 runs) and has 3 wins from 4 across distance, but he's untried in Class 1. His H Rating of 1567 is solid, and with Harry Skelton in the saddle and just 26 days since his last run, he's tactically well-placed. Not the form leader, but a value angle.
Verdict
I'll Sort That to win at 19.00. His Class 1 pedigree, perfect going record, and distance experience trump the field.
