
*Paddy Power is now Non Runner Money Back for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. That means that if your selection does not line up in the race you back it in for any reason – you will now get your stake back. TC’s apply.
*Paddy also has the more traditional ante-post market where you will lose your stake if your selection doesn’t run in the race for whatever reason.
Paddy Power Media’s ‘From The Horse’s Mouth’ podcast ‘Cheltenham Countdown’ is back as host Tom Nugent picks the brains of the Festival’s winning-most jockey turned TV pundit Ruby Walsh and well-known journalist and broadcaster Rory Delargy for their Cheltenham betting tips.
In the fifth episode of this year’s series, the gang have looked at the Turners Novices Hurdle ahead of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

RORY DELARGY
The New Lion won the Challow at Newbury over Christmas and we don’t really see horses win that and go on to win the Turners Novices Hurdle that opens Wednesday’s card at the Festival.
He ran in a very different Challow than we’re used to as it wasn’t a particularly deep contest. I don’t think Regent’s Stroll is a superstar (beaten again since). The New Lion won with enough in hand but it’s difficult to know how much he had in hand, so we’ll have to guess.
The ground wasn’t too bad and the pace wasn’t too strong either so it might not have taken too much out of him. This could be the year that the rule of winning the Challow then winning the Turners is broken.
It’s hard to put a form figure on The New Lion as he hasn’t beaten anything exceptional so we don’t know what his ceiling is.
Final Demand, who won at the Dublin Racing Festival, sets a very high standard and I’d much rather be with him over The New Lion.
Underestimated
The Yellow Clay deserves a mention and I’m a huge fan of his. He won the Lawlor’s Of Naas and while he became one of the favourites for the Albert Bartlett, I feel that was due to the heavy ground. The Lawlor’s doesn’t tend to be a trial for the Albert Bartlett.
Gordon Elliott said he’ll be a better horse on better ground and I was really impressed with his win.
I can see The Yellow Clay running in the Turners Novices Hurdle and he’s underestimated in the market. He’s a proven Grade 1 horse and he was a decent bumper performer. He’s coming on nicely and I don’t see why he won’t run a big race.
He’s good each-way value.
*Paddy Power is now Non Runner Money Back for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. That means that if your selection does not line up in the race you back it in for any reason – you will now get your stake back. TC’s apply.
*Paddy also has the more traditional ante-post market where you will lose your stake if your selection doesn’t run in the race for whatever reason.
Read More
- Cheltenham tips: Paul Jacobs’ 5 to keep the dream alive with Paddy’s Non Runner Money Back guarantee
- Cheltenham Festival: Paddy’s Non Runner Money Back for ALL 28 races at the 2025 showpiece
- Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle tips: Rory Delargy’s 9/4 non runner money back play for the ‘perfect juvenile hurdler’
- Cheltenham Festival: Hard as nails East India Dock can strike in the Triumph Hurdle says Ruby Walsh
- Cheltenham Arkle Chase Tips: Rory Delargy’s 16/1 each-way shout non runner money back
- When is the Cheltenham Festival 2025? Dates for this year’s mega meeting
- Cheltenham Festival race times and schedule for 2025 meeting
- Pertemps Final qualification races and eligible horses for Cheltenham Festival 2025
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
