Grade 2 race | |
Location | Ayr Racecourse Ayrshire, Scotland |
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Race type | Steeplechase |
Sponsor | Jordan Electrics |
Website | Ayr |
Race information | |
Distance | 2m 4½f (4,163 metres) |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | Five-years-old and up |
Weight | 11 st 0 lb Allowances 7 lb for mares Penalties for wins 5 lb for Class 1 wfa chase 3 lb for Class 2 wfa or Class 1 hcap chase |
Purse | £24,000 (2021) 1st: £13,855 |
2023 | ||
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Datsalrightgino | Thunder Rock | Unexpected Party |
Previous years | ||
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2022 | ||
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Do Your Job | Minella Drama | Il Ridoto |
2021 | ||
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Allmankind | Malystic | Whoshotthesheriff |
1990-1988 | ||
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1990 | ||
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Celtic Shot | Young Snugfit | Highfrith |
1989 | ||
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Southern Minstrel | Interim Lib | Tartan Tailor |
1988 | ||
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Jim Thorpe | Colonel Rose | High Debate |
The Future Champion Novices' Chase was a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which was open to horses aged five years or older. It was run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of about 2 miles, 4 furlongs and 110 yards (4,163 metres), and during its running there were seventeen fences to be jumped. The race was for novice chasers, but was cut from the race calendar ahead of the 2023/24 National Hunt season.
The event was formerly contested over 2 miles, and for a period it was known by various sponsored titles. It was renamed in 1988, and it was extended to 2 miles 4 furlongs and given Grade 1 status in 1991. It returned to its former length for a single running in 1995, and at this point it was relegated to Grade 2 level.
The Future Champion Novices' Chase is run at Ayr on the same afternoon as the Scottish Grand National. The winners Gingembre and Grey Abbey both subsequently achieved victory in the latter race.
In April 2023 the British Horseracing Authority announced the removal of the race from the 2023/24 programme.[1]
Records
[edit]- Ron Barry – The Benign Bishop (1973), Easby Abbey (1975), Little Bay (1981)
- Jonjo O'Neill – Crofton Hall (1977), King Weasel (1978), Night Nurse (1979)
- Ruby Walsh - Val Solitaire (2003), Natal (2007), Pacha du Polder (2012)
Leading trainer since 1968 (7 wins):
- Paul Nicholls - See More Indians (1994), Valley Henry (2002), Val Solitaire (2003), Natal (2007), Pacha du Polder (2012), Le Mercurey (2016), Secret Investor (2019)
Winners since 1971
[edit]Earlier winners
[edit]- 1968 – Certainement
- 1969 – Chesapeake Bay
- 1970 – Mischievous Monk
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Package of changes agreed to help strengthen performance of British Jump racing". British Horseracing Authority. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ "Coronavirus: Horse racing in Great Britain suspended until end of April". BBC Sport. 17 March 2020.
- Racing Post:
- pedigreequery.com – Future Champion Novices' Chase – Ayr.
- Timeform Chasers & Hurdlers Statistical Companion 1992–93. Portway Press. 1993. p. 172.