National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup Race Card

National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase Runners And Entries 2024

Below you will find the runners & entries for the National Hunt Challenge Cup for this year's Cheltenham Festival.

As a reminder, this is a full list of entries, but there are further declarations 5 days before the race, and final declarations 48 hours before.

Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

1st
Mr Derek O'Connor

Corbetts Cross

Age: 7
Weight: 11.5
OR: 150
J:
 
Mr Derek O'Connor
T:
 
Emmet Mullins
held up in rear, in touch with leaders on outer 10th, pressed leaders going easily after 3 out, good jump to lead 2 out, soon went clear, readily
2nd
Mr P W Mullins

Embassy Gardens

Age: 8
Weight: 11.5
OR: 150
J:
 
Mr P W Mullins
T:
 
W P Mullins
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, mistake 15th, headway when not fluent 3 out, went second and 1 length down when bad mistake 2 out, soon no chance with winner, kept on run-in (vet said gelding had an irregular heartbeat)
3rd
Miss Gina Andrews

Mr Vango

Age: 8
Weight: 11.5
OR: 132
J:
 
Miss Gina Andrews
T:
 
Mrs Sara V Bradstock
led, mistake 8th, headed after 3 out, soon rallied, no chance with winner but disputing second when mistake last, weakened run-in

National Hunt Challenge Cup Tips

This is where all of our tips will be for the National Hunt Challenge Cup , we also have you covered with daily tips.

Exeter - March 19 2024
Exeter 15:00
3
James Bowen

Numitor

J: James Bowen
T: Heather Main
James Bowen

Numitor

bet365
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
betfair
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
betfred
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
betway
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £100.00
9/1
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
betuk
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
coral
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
midnite
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
skybet
£10.00 Returns £95.00
17/2
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £90.00
8/1
9/1
Age: 10
Weight: 11-9
OR: 132
Days: 340
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
14/04/23AIN21Sft10-6PU
25/03/23NBY20Sft11-92
24/02/23WAR20Gd11-113
27/12/22CHP19.5Sft11-0PU
25/11/22NBY20Gd11-23
Exeter 16:00
3
Ned Fox

Desert Fortune

J: Ned Fox
T: Venetia Williams
Ned Fox

Desert Fortune

bet365
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
betuk
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
betway
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
coral
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
midnite
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £30.00
2/1
betfair
£10.00 Returns £28.75
15/8
betfred
£10.00 Returns £28.75
15/8
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £28.75
15/8
skybet
£10.00 Returns £28.75
15/8
2/1
Age: 7
Weight: 11-4
OR: 90
Days: 21
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/02/24LEI20Hy11-72
28/03/23HUN25Sft12-0PU
02/02/23FAK23.5Gd11-75
22/12/22FFO20Sft10-79
17/11/22WCN15Gd11-27
Wetherby - March 19 2024
Wetherby 16:15
3
Jordan Nailor

Mister Barclay

J: Jordan Nailor
T: Tom Symonds
Jordan Nailor

Mister Barclay

bet365
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betfair
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betfred
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betuk
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
betway
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
coral
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
skybet
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £55.00
9/2
midnite
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
9/2
Age: 6
Weight: 11-6
OR: 91
Days: 23
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
25/02/24HER21.5Sft11-27
25/01/24WET19.5Sft11-53
26/12/23WET19.5Sft10-82
17/11/23DON21Gd11-17
06/04/23HER16GS10-133
Wetherby 14:45
3
Aaron Anderson

Raffles Wonder

J: Aaron Anderson
T: Rebecca Menzies
Aaron Anderson

Raffles Wonder

betMGM
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
betuk
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
coral
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
skybet
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £19.09
10/11
bet365
£10.00 Returns £18.33
5/6
betfred
£10.00 Returns £18.33
5/6
betway
£10.00 Returns £18.33
5/6
betfair
£10.00 Returns £18.00
4/5
midnite
£10.00 Returns £18.00
4/5
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £18.00
4/5
10/11
Age: 7
Weight: 11-10
OR: 86
Days: 5
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
14/03/24HEX16Hy11-01
24/02/24NCS17Hy11-43
07/02/24SED17Sft11-76
06/01/24NCS20.5Sft11-010
23/12/23NCS17Gd11-211
Wolverhampton (AW) - March 19 2024
Wolverhampton (AW) 20:00
2(2)
Archie Young

Prince Ali

J: Archie Young
T: Deborah Faulkner
Archie Young

Prince Ali

betvictor
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
coral
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
skybet
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
bet365
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
betfred
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
betuk
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
midnite
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £40.00
3/1
betfair
£10.00 Returns £37.50
11/4
betway
£10.00 Returns £37.50
11/4
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £37.50
11/4
10/3
Age: 6
Weight: 9-9
OR: 62
Days: 4
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/03/24WOL9.5St9-62
26/02/24WOL9.5St10-33
07/01/24WOL9.5St9-610
10/12/23WOL8.5St9-06
04/12/23WOL9.5St8-132
Wolverhampton (AW) 19:30
3(7)
Ben Coen

Bernie The Bear

J: Ben Coen
T: Linda Perratt
Ben Coen

Bernie The Bear

bet365
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
betfred
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
betway
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
coral
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
skybet
£10.00 Returns £35.00
5/2
betfair
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
betMGM
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
betuk
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
midnite
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £32.50
9/4
5/2
Age: 4
Weight: 9-6
OR: 52
Days: 12
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/03/24NCS6St9-92
23/02/24LIN7St8-75
13/02/24NCS7St9-54
02/02/24NCS6St8-123
25/01/24NCS6St8-132
Wolverhampton (AW) 18:00
8(6)
Joey Haynes

Munificent

J: Joey Haynes
T: Chelsea Banham
Joey Haynes

Munificent

betMGM
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
betuk
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
betvictor
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
coral
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
grosvenor
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
ladbrokes
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
midnite
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
skybet
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
william_hill
£10.00 Returns £50.00
4/1
betfred
£10.00 Returns £45.00
7/2
paddy_power
£10.00 Returns £45.00
7/2
bet365
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
betfair
£10.00 Returns £43.33
10/3
betway
£10.00 Returns £43.33
100/30
4/1
Age: 6
Weight: 9-3
OR: 52
Days: 19
DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/02/24CFD5St9-17
12/02/24WOL5St9-24
10/01/24KEM6St/Slw8-74
30/12/23WOL7St9-211
03/11/23NMK5Hy8-86

Final race of Champions Day

The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup serves as the finale to the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

This grueling steeplechase stretches over approximately 3 miles and 6 furlongs, with 23 fences testing the horses' stamina and jumping abilities. What sets the race apart is its exclusive participation for amateur jockeys, making it a unique and prestigious event within the horse racing world.

Horses aged five years or older are eligible to compete, and the race holds Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase status. The winner is awarded substantial prize money ( £62,156 in 2023).

The National Hunt Chase is widely celebrated for showcasing the pinnacle of amateur riding talent. The challenging distance and demanding obstacles make it a true test of endurance and skill for both horse and jockey

History of the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup

The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup stands as the oldest race at the Cheltenham Festival, with a rich history dating back over 160 years. In its early days, it held immense prestige, considered second only to the iconic Grand National in the chasing calendar.

The race was initially hosted at various venues across the UK. Cheltenham itself had the honor in 1904 and 1905, but it wasn't until 1911 that it found a permanent home in the Cotswolds as part of the new two-day National Hunt Meeting.

While the National Hunt Chase remains a highlight of the Cheltenham Festival, its distance has been modified. Previously, the race extended over an even more demanding 4 miles and 1 furlong.

Maintaining its unique character, the race typically doesn't have a commercial sponsor. Instead, it's often run in tribute to significant figures in the racing world. Examples include:

  • The 2008 'Peter O'Sullivan National Hunt Chase', honoring the legendary retired commentator.
  • The 2012 'Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase', celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
  • The 'John Oaksey National Hunt Chase' in 2013 and the 'Toby Balding National Hunt Chase' in 2015, dedicated to the memories of these racing greats.

Recent years

The 2019 National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup was a controversial event, with only four horses finishing the race and significant gaps between them. Sadly, race favorite Ballyward suffered a fatal fall, and numerous other horses either fell or were pulled up. This outcome sparked debate and led to rule changes implemented in 2020. These include:

  • Reduced Distance: The race is now run over approximately 3 miles and 6 furlongs with 23 fences.
  • Eligibility Changes: Horses must have a rating of at least 120 and have finished in the top four of two previous chases over at least three miles.

Jonjo O'Neill holds the record for the most National Hunt Chase wins, with six victories under his belt: Front Line (1995), Rith Dubh (2002), Sudden Shock (2003), Native Emperor (2004), Butler's Cabin (2007), and Minella Rocco (2016).

Willie Mullins has asserted his dominance in the National Hunt Chase in recent years, securing victories in both 2022 and 2023. Stattler (2022), ridden by his son Patrick Mullins, showcased his stamina and class. The following year, Gaillard Du Mesnil (2023), also ridden by Patrick Mullins, demonstrated his ability to outpace the field in a thrilling finish.

National Hunt Challenge Cup Winners

Previous National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup winners (2016 - 2023)


Year Horse Trainer Jockey
2023 Gaillard Du Mesnil Willie Mullins Mr P W Mullins
2022 Stattler Willie Mullins Mr P W Mullins
2021 Galvin I R Ferguson J W Kennedy
2020 Ravenhill Gordon Elliott Mr J J Codd
2019 Le Breuil Ben Pauling Mr J J Codd
2018 Rathvinden Willie Mullins Mr P W Mullins
2017 Tiger Roll Gordon Elliott Ms Lisa O'Neill
2016 Minella Rocco Jonjo O'Neill Mr J J Codd

National Hunt Challenge Cup FAQs

Finding Tips For The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup

If you’re looking for our thoughts on who you should back in the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup take a look at our Day 1 Tips page to see everything, we’re backing for this race at the Cheltenham Festival.

You can also see all the latest odds for this race on our National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup Odds page allowing you to see which bookmakers are offering the best price on each horse in the race.