National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup

Steeplechase horse race in Britain

Horse race

National Hunt Chase Challenge CupGrade 2 race

Location| Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England
Inaugurated| 1860
Race type| Steeplechase
Website| Cheltenham
Race information
Distance| 3m 5f 201y
Surface| Turf
Track| Left-handed
Qualification| Five-years-old and up
Weight| 11 st 3 lb (157 lb; 71 kg) (5yo);
11 st 7 lb (161 lb; 73 kg) (6yo+)
Allowances
7 lb (3.2 kg) for mares
Purse| £125,000 (2024)
1st: £60,388
National Hunt Chase  2024

|  |
Corbetts Cross  | Embassy Gardens  | Mr Vango
Previous years

2023
|  |
Gaillard Du Mesnil  | Chemical Energy  | Mister Coffey
2022
|  |
Stattler  | Run Wild Fred  | Vanillier
2021
|  |
Galvin  | Next Destination  | Escaria Ten
2020-2011

2020
|  |
Ravenhill  | Lord Du Mesnil  | Lamanver Pippin
2019
|  |
Le Breuil  | Discorama  | Jerrysback
2018
|  |
Rathvinden  | Ms Parfois  | Sizing Tennessee
2017
|  |
Tiger Roll  | Missed Approach  | Haymount
2016
|  |
Minella Rocco  | Native River  | Measureofmydreams
2015
|  |
Cause of Causes  | Broadway Buffalo  | The Job Is Right
2014
|  |
Midnight Prayer  | Shotgun Paddy  | Suntiep
2013
|  |
Back in Focus  | Tofino Bay  | Godsmejudge
2012
|  |
Teaforthree  | Harry The Viking  | Four Commanders
2011
|  |
Chicago Grey  | Beshabar  | Be There in Five
2010-2001

2010
|  |
Poker De Sivola  | Becauseicouldntsee | Prudent Honour
2009
|  |
Tricky Trickster  | Drumconvis  | Nine De Sivola
2008
|  |
Old Benny  | Over The Creek  | Back on Line
2007
|  |
Butler's Cabin  | Character Building  | Countess Trifaldi
2006
|  |
Hot Weld  | Beantown  | Far From Trouble
2005
|  |
Another Rum  | Caislean Ui Cuain  | Control Man
2004
|  |
Native Emperor  | Celestial Gold  | Drombeag
2003
|  |
Sudden Shock  | Stormez  | Young Ottoman
2002
|  |
Rith Dubh  | Timbera  | Silver Steel
2000-1991

2000
|  |
Relaxation  | Inch Rose  | Mister One
1999
|  |
Deejaydee  | Riot Leader  | Spot Thedifference
1998
|  |
Wandering Light  | Thatswhatithought | Torduff Express
1997
|  |
Flimsy Truth  | Vol Par Nuit  | Robsand
1996
|  |
Loving Around  | Fellow Countryman  | Class of Ninetytwo
1995
|  |
Front Line  | Keano  | Lacken Cross
1994
|  |
Christmas Gorse  | Extra Special  | Nearly Splendid
1993
|  |
Ushers Island  | Claxton Greene  | Travelling Wrong
1992
|  |
Keep Talking  | High Peak  | Belmount Captain
1991
|  |
Smooth Escort  | Windy Ways  | Bit Of A Clown
1990-1988

1990
|  |
Topsham Bay  | Royal Battery  | Ballinhassig
1989
|  |
Boraceva  | Gallic Prince  | Leagaune
1988
|  |
Over The Road  | Caspar Carrot  | Good Waters

The National Hunt Challenge Cup is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain for amateur riders which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles 6 furlongs (3 miles 5 furlongs and 201 yards, or 6,018 metres), and during its running there are twenty-three fences to be jumped. The race is for novice chasers, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

## History

[edit]

Now in its 164th year, the National Hunt Chase has been run more times than any other event at the Cheltenham Festival. The Grand Annual is older, but that race was absent for much of the late 19th century.

During the early part of its history it was held at various venues, including its present home in 1904 and 1905. It was transferred more permanently to Cheltenham in 1911, when it became part of the new two-day National Hunt Meeting. Until the 1930s it was the second most important jumps race in the calendar after the Grand National.

At 3 miles and 7½ furlongs prior to 2020, the distance of the National Hunt Chase was longer than that of any other event at the Festival. It is now the second-longest after the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. The race was contested on Cheltenham's New Course from 2005 to 2007, and during this period its length was 4 miles and 1 furlong (6.6 km). The 2008 running was titled the Peter O'Sullevan National Hunt Chase in celebration of the 90th birthday of Peter O'Sullevan, a retired racing commentator and the 2012 running was titled the Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The 2013 race was run as the John Oaksey National Hunt Chase in memory of John Oaksey, a notable amateur National Hunt jockey and racing journalist who died in September 2012. The National Hunt Chase was given Listed status by the British Horseracing Board from its 2014 running[1] and included the name of former champion jockey Terry Biddlecombe, who died in January 2014, in its title. The 2015 race name commemorated trainer Toby Balding. The race was upgraded to Grade 2 status from the 2017 running.[2]

The race distance was reduced to about 3 miles and 6 furlongs from the 2020 running after a controversy in 2019. Only four of 18 runners finished the 2019 race. Three jockeys were banned by the racecourse stewards for continuing to ride on tired horses, although the bans were subsequently overturned on appeal.[3] The British Horseracing Authority conducted a review of the race which led to a cut in its distance and the number of fences jumped, along with some other changes relating to the eligibility of horses and jockeys to take part.[4] Only professional jockeys competed in the 2021 running as amateur riders were excluded from the Cheltenham Festival due to restrictions on grassroots sport for the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[5]

## Records

[edit]

Leading jockey since 1946 (4 wins):

* Patrick Mullins - Back In Focus (2013), Rathvinden (2018), Stattler (2022), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2023) [6]

Leading trainer since 1946 (6 wins):

* Jonjo O'Neill – Front Line (1995), Rith Dubh (2002), Sudden Shock (2003), Native Emperor (2004), Butler's Cabin (2007), Minella Rocco (2016)

## Winners since 1860

[edit]

* All amateur jockeys except in 2021.

Year
| Winner
| Age
| Jockey
| Trainer
| Course

|
|
|
|
|

1860  | Bridegroom | 8  | Edmund Burton | Mr Burton | Market Harborough
1861  | The Freshman | 7  | George Ede |  | Cheltenham
1861  | Queensferry | 5  | Edmund Burton | Mr Burton | Market Harborough
1862  | Fidget | aged  | G. Skipworth |  | Rugby
1863  | Socks | 7  | Alec Goodman | Ben Land | Market Harborough
1864  | Game Chicken | 6  | Capt. Arthur Smith |  | Burton Lazars
1865  | Emperor II | 7  | Alec Goodman |  | Wetherby
1866  | Shangarry | 5  | Alec Goodman |  | Crewkerne
1867  | Emperor III | 6  | Henry Coventry  |  | Bedford
1868  | Tathwell | 6  | William Brockton |  | Bedford
1869 | no race 1869[a] |  |  |
1870  | Schiedam | 5  | John Maunsell Richardson |  | Cottenham
1871  | Daybreak | 5  | Capt. Arthur Smith |  | Burton Lazars
1872  | Red Nob | 6  | Capt. Holyoake |  | Abergavenny
1873  | Pickles | 6  | Capt. Arthur Tempest |  | Bristol
1874  | Lucellum | 5  | Capt. Arthur Smith |  | Aylesbury
1875  | Gazelle | 4  | Mr. Flutter |  | Sandown Park
1876  | Burford | 5  | Lord Marcus Beresford | J. Jones | Bogside
1877  | The Bear | 4  | Ted Wilson | Richard Marsh | Cottenham
1878  | Filbert | 9  | C.R. Friend |  | Hereford
1879  | Bellringer | 7  | Arthur Coventry |  | Derby
1880  | New Glasgow | 7  | Capt. Arthur Smith | Mr. Wadlow | Liverpool
1881  | Pride of Prussia | 4  | Ted Wilson | Garrett Moore | Four Oaks Park
1882  | Llantarnam | 4  | Ted Wilson | William Jenkins | Derby
1883  | Satellite | 4  | Ted Wilson | William Jenkins | Little Dalby
1884  | Equity | 4  | Ted Wilson |  | Leicester
1885  | Lady Tempest | 5  | Willie Beasley | Garrett Moore | Lincoln
1886  | Why Not | 5  | Charles Cunningham |  | Malton
1887  | Monkshood | 6  | Roddy Owen | Major Meysey Thompson | Derby
1888  | Glen Thorpe | 4  | George Lambton | Mr. Jordan | Sandown Park
1889  | Nap | 4  | Charles Thompson |  | Cardiff
1890  | Innisfail | 5  | T.G. Arthur | James Ryan | Bogside
1891  | Impeyan | 4  | E. Crawley | J. Swatton | Hurst Park
1892  | Royal Buck | 5  | Lord Royston | Tom Cannon  | Derby
1893  | Van der Berg | 7  | Sir Cuthbert Slade | E.A. Craddock | Sandown Park
1894  | Philactery | 6  | Wilfred Ricardo | Joe Cannon | Derby
1895  | Fin-ma-Coul II | 6  | Frank Atkinson | J. Arnold | Sandown Park
1896  | Ludgershall | 5  | Harry Ripley | John Collins | Hurst Park
1897  | Nord Ouest | 4  | Jules Morand | Dick Chaloner | Newmarket
1898  | Real Shamrock | 4  | E.P. Gundry | A. McKie | Gatwick
1899  | Glen Royal | 5  | John Fergusson | John Collins | Hurst Park
1900  | Eoos | 5  | Arthur Gordon | Mr. Shanahan | Kempton Park
1901  | Friar John | 5  | Herbert Sidney | Mr. Sentence | Burton Lazars
1902  | Marpessa | 5  | Atty Persse | James Maher  | Warwick
1903  | Comfit | 5  | Capt. Robert Collis | E. Thomas  | Warwick
1904  | Timothy Titus | 6  | Ivor Anthony | E. Morgan | Cheltenham
1905  | Miss Clifden II | 8  | H.M. Ripley | Mr. Baker | Cheltenham
1906  | Count Rufus | 7  | Arthur Gordon | R. Gordon | Warwick
1907  | Red Hall | 10  | H.G. Farrant | H.G. Farrant | Warwick
1908  | Rory O'Moore | 7  | Percy Whitaker | Percy Whitaker | Warwick
1909  | Wychwood | 11  | Peter Roberts | Percy Whitaker | Warwick
1910  | Nimble Kate | 9  | Peter Roberts | Percy Whitaker | Warwick
1911  | Sir Halbert | 8  | Arthur Smith | Tom Coulthwaite | Cheltenham
1912  | The Rejected IV | aged  | Gilbert Cotton | J.J. Cowap
1913  | Kransfugl | 11  | R.H. Hall | G. Pirie
1914  | War Duke | aged  | Harry Ussher | Harry Ussher
1915  | Martial IV | 7  | Major J.H. Purvis | Major J.H. Purvis
1915 | no race 1915–1919[b] |  |  |
1920  | Prudhomme | 6  | Cecil Brabazon | James Daly
1921  | Bugler | 7  | Capt. Geoffrey Bennet | Harry Brown
1922  | Conjuror II | 10  | Cyril Dewhurst | Tom Coulthwaite
1923  | Templescoby | 8  | Harry Brown | Tom Coulthwaite
1924  | Patsey V | 11  | Brian Lemon | Robert Gore
1925  | Ardvasar | 12  | Pat Dennis | Aubrey Hastings
1926  | Cloringo | 5  | William Parker Dutton | Max Barthropp
1927  | Fine Yarn | 7  | J. Stevens | C. Stevens
1928  | Cryptical | 13  | Major T.F. Cavenagh | F.H. Bowcher
1929  | Big Wonder | 9  | Capt. Henry Weber | G.S.L. Whitelaw
1930  | Sir Lindsay | 9  | Lord Fingall | Jack Anthony
1931  | Merriment IV | 9  | Lord Haddington | Stewart Wight
1932  | Robin-a-Tiptoe | 11  | Frank Furlong | Mr. Gale
1933  | Ego | 6  | Perry Harding | Lt.-Col. M. Lindsay
1934  | Crown Prince | 9  | Lord Belper | Cliff Beechener
1935  | Rod and Gun | 8  | Hywell Jones | Jack Anthony
1936  | Pucka Belle | 10  | E.W.W. Bailey | E.W.W. Bailey
1937  | Hopeful Hero | 9  | W.L. Dawes | H.A.J. Silley
1938  | St George II | 9  | Bobby Petre | A.J.G. Leveson-Gower
1939  | Litigant | 8  | Richard Black | Frank Furlong
1940 | no race 1940–1945[c] |  |  |
1946  | Prattler | 11  | Dermot Daly | Tom Yates
1947  | Maltese Wanderer | 8  | Dermot Daly | Tom Yates
1948  | Bruno II | 8  | Guy Cunard | William Anstruther-Gray
1949  | Castledermot | 7  | Lord Mildmay | Vincent O'Brien
1950  | Ellesmere | 7  | Atty Corbett | Ken Cundell
1951  | Cushendun | 6  | Peter Chisman | Bobby Renton
1952  | Frosty Knight | 6  | Charles Straker | Ian Straker
1953  | Pontage | 7  | Bunny Cox | Dan Moore
1954  | Quare Times | 8  | Bunny Cox | Vincent O'Brien
1955  | Reverend Prince | 9  | C. Pocock  | Peter Dufosee
1956  | Rosana III | 9  | Jeremy Everitt  | Jeremy Everitt
1957  | Kari Sou | 8  | Alan Lillingston | Archie Thomlinson
1958  | Spud Tamson | 7  | Geordie Dun | Tommy Dun
1959  | Sabaria | 8  | John Lawrence | Bob Turnell
1960  | Proud Socks | 8  | H. Thompson  | Vivian Bishop
1961  | Superfine | 8  | Sir William Pigott-Brown | Frank Cundell
1962  | Go Slow | 7  | George Small | Albert Piper
1963  | Time | 8  | Ian Balding | Willie Stephenson
1964  | Dorimont | 10  | Charles Vaughan | Tom Taaffe
1965  | Red Vale | 11  | George Small | Albert Piper
1966  | Polaris Missile | 7  | John Thorne | John Thorne
1967  | Master Tammy | 9  | Brian Fanshawe | George Guilding
1968  | Fascinating Forties | 9  | Michael Dickinson | George Owen
1969  | Lizzy the Lizard | 10  | Grant Cann | Tony Hartnoll
1970  | Domason | 7  | Robert Alner | Harry Dufosee
1971  | Deblin's Green | 8  | Derek Edmunds | George Yardley
1972  | Charley Winking | 7  | Derrick Scott | Leslie Scott
1973  | Foreman | 7  | Bill Shand Kydd | Harry Thomson Jones
1974  | Mr Midland | 7  | Mouse Morris | Edward O'Grady
1975 | no race 1975 [d] |  |  |
1976  | Sage Merlin | 8  | Peter Greenall | Jack Hardy
1977  | Alpenstock | 10  | Dick Saunders | Stan Mellor
1978  | Gay Tie | 5  | John Fowler | Mick O'Toole
1979  | Arctic Ale | 8  | John Fowler | Dan Moore
1980  | Waggoners Walk | 11  | Tony Fowler | Caroline Mason
1981  | Lucky Vane | 6  | Stephen Bush | Toby Balding
1982  | Hazy Dawn | 7  | Willie Mullins | Paddy Mullins
1983  | Bit of a Skite | 7  | Frank Codd | Edward O'Grady
1984  | Macks Friendly | 7  | Willie Mullins | Paddy Mullins
1985  | Northern Bay | 9  | Tony Fowler | Tom Bill
1986  | Omerta | 6  | Lorcan Wyer | Homer Scott
1987  | Mighty Mark | 8  | Jimmy Walton | Frank Walton
1988  | Over the Road | 7  | Tom Costello | Terry Casey
1989  | Boraceva | 6  | Seamus Mullins | Toby Balding
1990  | Topsham Bay | 7  | Paul Hacking | David Barons
1991  | Smooth Escort | 7  | Tony Martin | Di Haine
1992  | Keep Talking | 7  | Marcus Armytage | Tim Thomson Jones
1993  | Ushers Island | 7  | Noel Wilson | Howard Johnson
1994  | Christmas Gorse | 8  | Marcus Armytage | Nick Gaselee
1995  | Front Line | 8  | John Berry | Jonjo O'Neill
1996  | Loving Around | 8  | Philip Fenton | Edward O'Grady
1997  | Flimsy Truth | 11  | Micky Harris | Martin Weston
1998  | Wandering Light | 9  | Rupert Wakley | Tim Forster
1999  | Deejaydee | 7  | Tony Martin | Michael Hourigan
2000  | Relaxation | 8  | Mark Bradburne | Henry Daly
2001 | no race 2001 [e] |  |  |
2002  | Rith Dubh | 10  | JT McNamara | Jonjo O'Neill
2003  | Sudden Shock | 8  | Denis Cullen | Jonjo O'Neill
2004  | Native Emperor | 8  | Robert Widger | Jonjo O'Neill
2005  | Another Rum | 7  | Mark O'Hare | Ian Duncan
2006  | Hot Weld | 7  | Richard Harding | Ferdy Murphy
2007  | Butler's Cabin | 7  | Alan Berry | Jonjo O'Neill
2008  | Old Benny | 7  | Charlie Huxley | Alan King
2009  | Tricky Trickster | 6  | Sam Waley-Cohen | Nigel Twiston-Davies
2010  | Poker de Sivola | 7  | Katie Walsh | Ferdy Murphy
2011  | Chicago Grey | 8  | Derek O'Connor | Gordon Elliott
2012  | Teaforthree | 8  | JT McNamara | Rebecca Curtis
2013  | Back in Focus | 8  | Patrick Mullins  | Willie Mullins
2014  | Midnight Prayer | 9  | Joshua Newman | Alan King
2015  | Cause of Causes | 7  | Jamie Codd | Gordon Elliott
2016  | Minella Rocco  | 6  | Derek O'Connor  | Jonjo O'Neill
2017  | Tiger Roll | 7  | Lisa O'Neill  | Gordon Elliott
2018  | Rathvinden  | 10  | Patrick Mullins  | Willie Mullins
2019  | Le Breuil  | 7  | Jamie Codd | Ben Pauling
2020  | Ravenhill  | 10  | Jamie Codd | Gordon Elliott
2021  | Galvin  | 7  | Jack Kennedy | Ian Ferguson
2022  | Stattler  | 7  | Patrick Mullins  | Willie Mullins
2023  | Gaillard Du Mesnil  | 7  | Patrick Mullins  | Willie Mullins
2024  | Corbetts Cross  | 7  | Derek O'Connor  | Emmet Mullins

1. ^ The 1869 race at Wetherby was cancelled due to a ferry tragedy on the River Ure in February
2. ^ The race was not held between 1915 and 1919 as Cheltenham was occupied by the military authorities
3. ^ The race was not held between 1940 and 1945 due to the Second World War
4. ^ The 1975 edition was cancelled as the course was waterlogged
5. ^ The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis

## See also

[edit]

* Horse racing in Great Britain
* List of British National Hunt races

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "British Horseracing Authority Announces Upgrades to Jump Pattern Races for 2013/14". Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
2. ^ "BHA's Jump Pattern Committee announces race upgrades for 2016/17 season". British Horseracing. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
3. ^ Keogh, Frank (21 March 2019). "Declan Lavery: Amateur jockey's 10-day ban from Cheltenham Festival overturned". BBC Sport.
4. ^ Keogh, Frank (12 August 2019). "Cheltenham Festival: Fences & distance cut in National Hunt Chase after riding row". BBC Sport.
5. ^ Scargill, Peter; Boylan, Mark (24 February 2021). "Star riders forced to miss Cheltenham as amateurs are barred from festival". Racing Post. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
6. ^ https://www.horseracing.net/cheltenham/national-hunt-steeple-chase

* Racing Post:
* 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
* 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
* 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
* 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024

* * *

* cheltenham.co.uk – Media information pack (2010).
* pedigreequery.com – National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup – Cheltenham.
* Ladbrokes Pocket Companion 1990/91. Aesculus Press. 1990. p. 61\. ISBN 1-871093-21-X.
* History of the National Hunt Chase 1860–2010. Peter Stevens. 2010. ISBN 978-0-9567250-0-4.

* v
* t
* e

Cheltenham Festival

Tuesday|

* Supreme Novices' Hurdle
* Arkle Challenge Trophy
* Ultima Handicap Chase
* Champion Hurdle
* Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle
* Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
* National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup

Wednesday|

* Gallagher Novices' Hurdle
* Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
* Coral Cup
* Queen Mother Champion Chase
* Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
* Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase
* Champion Bumper

Thursday|

* Turners Novices' Chase
* Pertemps Final
* Ryanair Chase
* Stayers' Hurdle
* TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase
* Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle
* Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Friday|

* Triumph Hurdle
* County Handicap Hurdle
* Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
* Cheltenham Gold Cup
* St James's Place Festival Hunter Chase
* Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase
* Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Discontinued|

* Cathcart Challenge Cup
* Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template