National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup
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.
Grade 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 4 lb (158 lb; 72 kg) (5yo); 11 st 6 lb (160 lb; 73 kg) (6yo+) Allowances 7 lb (3.2 kg) for mares |
Purse | £125,000 (2020) 1st: £74,306 |
2020 | ||
Ravenhill | Lord Du Mesnil | Lamanver Pippin |
Previous years | ||
---|---|---|
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 |
2000-1995 | ||
---|---|---|
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 |
History
Now in its 161st 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]
Records
Leading jockey since 1946 (3 wins):
- Jamie Codd - Cause of Causes (2015), Le Breuil (2019), Ravenhill (2020)
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
- All amateur jockeys.
Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Course |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1860 | Bridegroom | 8 | Edmund Burton | Market Harborough | |
1861 | The Freshman | 7 | George Ede | Cheltenham | |
1861 | Queensferry | 5 | Edmund 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 | |
no race 1869[lower-alpha 1] | |||||
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 | 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 | |
no race 1915–1919[lower-alpha 2] | |||||
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 | Mervyn 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 | |
no race 1940–1945[lower-alpha 3] | |||||
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 | |
no race 1975 [lower-alpha 4] | |||||
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 | |
no race 2001 [lower-alpha 5] | |||||
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 |
- The 1869 race at Wetherby was cancelled due to a ferry tragedy on the River Ure in February
- The race was not held between 1915 and 1919 as Cheltenham was occupied by the military authorities
- The race was not held between 1940 and 1945 due to the Second World War
- The 1975 edition was cancelled as the course was waterlogged
- The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis
References
- "British Horseracing Authority Announces Upgrades to Jump Pattern Races for 2013/14". Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- "BHA's Jump Pattern Committee announces race upgrades for 2016/17 season". British Horseracing. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- Keogh, Frank (21 March 2019). "Declan Lavery: Amateur jockey's 10-day ban from Cheltenham Festival overturned". BBC Sport.
- Keogh, Frank (12 August 2019). "Cheltenham Festival: Fences & distance cut in National Hunt Chase after riding row". BBC Sport.
- 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.