King Rasko Grey won the 2026 Cheltenham Novices’ Hurdle by 2.5 lengths, giving Willie Mullins his eighth win and Paul Townend his 40th Festival victory.

On March 11, 2026, King Rasko Grey, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, won the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival by two and a half lengths, marking Mullins’ eighth victory in the race and Townend’s 40th Festival win. The six-year-old, starting at 11/1, triumphed over Act Of Innocence after overcoming a prior loss at Leopardstown. The win provided a boost for owners Greg and Audrey Turley following the absence of their champion Galopin Des Champs. The victory capped a strong start to the festival for the Mullins-Townend team, with additional wins by Padraig Roche and Madara.