Owners Greg and Audrey Turley had to face up to the disappointment of their dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs missing the 2026 running with a setback but gained some welcome compensation when King Rasko Grey (11/1) won the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The six-year-old came home two and a half lengths to the good over Act Of Innocence.

Successful trainer Willie Mullins said: “The price was the most striking thing. I couldn’t believe it. People were asking me for one under the radar. I never dreamt to be anything like that. He was one that I thought had a really good chance. You never have a banker, coming to Cheltenham, but he was one I thought would certainly go close.

“I said after the race at the Dublin Racing Festival, that he had stepped forward. It’s great for the owners after the disappointment of Galopin Des Champs. Paul’s sister Jodie, who is leading lady rider in Ireland, is leading him in as well, so it is a great day for them and for the Turleys.

“Paul went for him straightaway. We had been thinking about him for the Supreme all season, and when we decided not to go for that, to me, this one was head and shoulders above all the other horses here [in this race].

“We just got down to seriously working him after the DRF, and I thought that run was huge, when you consider the horses that first and second for the Supreme Novices’ yesterday, I thought that as long as this horse stayed well - and I thought he would say - he was a huge price. I couldn’t believe how big the price was - I wasn’t tipping him to all my friends because I thought he’d be too short!

“I thought he could be a Champion Hurdle type - I don’t know whether he is or not, but he is by Galiway and I am sure he will jump a fence, he jumps very well, but I will look at his Champion Hurdle credentials.”

Winning jockey Paul Townend said: “I love this horse. I came in and said to Willie after Leopardstown last time, ‘I can’t believe he finished third’. But it made a man of him that day. He’s still a little babyish, but it brought him on a lot. He’s a very exciting horse, I promise you that.”

ITV’s Alice Plunkett reflected that this horse looks very exciting for the Turleys and asked if this is some recompense for Galopin Des Champs (also owned by Audrey Turley) not running in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, to which Townend replied: “That’s the game we’re in. Galopin has brought us to the highest of the highs. This game moves on so fast, hopefully this horse might be able to replicate half of what Galopin has done. He owes no one anything, we had some magnificent days with him and hopefully this lad will follow in his footsteps.”

Nicky Henderson, trainer of runner-up Act Of Innocence, said: “He’s done nothing wrong and he’s a lovely big horse like yesterday’s winner. I should think it’s holiday time for both of them. They are young and they have big futures.They are big, proper chasing types. You feel they are both heading to go upwards (in trip) but they are not slow. They’re not far apart either.”

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of the third Zeus Power, said: “He ran a great race. J.J. (Slevin) gave him a lovely ride and he’s an exciting staying horse for the future. We’ll see how he is but there’s a good chance he might turn up at one of the festivals.”

Max McNeill, part-owner of 5/2 favourite No Drama This End, who was never in contention and pulled-up before the last, said: “I think they should have given them another chance to walk in again at the start. If they don’t do it first time, they should tell them off and do it again.

“The Irish jockeys know what they are doing and they are going to make it as difficult for the class horse in the races possible. I’m not blaming anyone. The horse wasn’t good enough on the day, but we live to fight another day. I’m not blaming Harry (Cobden) at all as it was a lottery at the start.

“Paul has his views but the horses that were prominent are there at the end. We’ll dust ourselves down and come again. Because Harry pulled him up there’s another race in him. That’s the good news about this. There’s not much good news!”

Declan Queally also felt the false starts did not help his mount I'll Sort That, who finished fifth. He told ITV: "The start was a bit of a mess. Got trapped back further than I wanted. Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, not very nice. I'm an amateur, coming over here to ride in front of my wife and kids. Horrific."

When ITV's Matt Chapman put it to de Boinville that Queally had expressed his displeasure at what happened at the start, de Boinville said: "Maybe he should look in the mirror."

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