The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup is a Grade 2 Class 1 race with a distance of 3 miles 6f and 23 fences. It has traditionally been the the longest race of the festival, but the decision was made in late 2019 that the distance would be reduced to 3 miles 6f from 2020 onwards. The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup has been run more times than any other race that takes place during the 4 day event. It’s a gruelling encounter and no horse has won this race more than once during their career. The race is open to horses aged 5 years and older and is run on the old course. Recent winners have included Tiger Roll, Cause of Causes, Minella Rocco and Le Breuil.

The National Hunt Chase has changed format somewhat this year, after there was plenty of criticism after the 2019 race, in which only 4 horses out of 18 runners finished the race. The 2020 National Hunt Chase is now run over a distance of 3m6f instead of 4 miles, but stamina will still be the key. Look out for jockey bookings in this race, as it’s open to amatuer jockeys, with Jamie Codd, Patrick Mullens and Derek O´Connor usually taking the spoils in this race. Look out to see which horses they are booked on and you’ll be in with a good shout. It tends to be either a fav/2nd fav or an 8-1+ outsider that takes this race.


Lord Du Mesnil

Lord Du Mesnil is one I’ll be taking an EW interest in at a bigger price. Ultra consistent and not been out of the top 2 in his last 6 races, he’s used to the distance and at 25-1 has got to be worth a small bet to see if he’ll get home for some place money alone.

Carefully Selected

He´s clearly has the best form in the race and if he stays on his feet he should win this. At 7-4 though, I´d want to be backing a more fluid jumper and I´d be looking elswhere for a bit fo value.

 

  1. 11 of the last 19 winners placed 1st or 2nd last time they raced
  2. Favourites have won 3 of the last 10 runnings
  3. 7 of the last 13 winners had run in a chase at Cheltenham before that season
  4. 6 of the last 9 winners won off a rating of 146 or greater
  5. JP McManus owned horses have won this race 6 times
  6. 5 and 6 year old horses are only 2 from 78 since 1989
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