National Hunt Chase Tips & Odds
The National Hunt Chase brings day one of the Cheltenham Festival to a close and is one of the meeting’s most demanding staying contests, testing stamina, jumping and resolve in equal measure. Read More
This page brings together everything you need ahead of the next running, including the latest National Hunt Chase odds when available, race trends, key details and our expert Cheltenham tips coverage closer to the Festival.
We will also explain how to bet the race with leading bookmakers and keep this page updated as the 2027 National Hunt Chase picture becomes clearer.
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National Hunt Chase Tips
It is far too early to offer any firm tips for the 2027 National Hunt Chase at this stage, with the 2026 Cheltenham Festival only just completed and the staying novice chase division for next season still taking shape. A race like this can change dramatically over the course of the campaign, with improving young chasers emerging through the winter and others switching targets as the Festival gets closer.
What we do know is that the National Hunt Chase usually rewards thorough stamina, accurate jumping and a willing attitude under pressure. This is a proper staying test, so horses with proven form over long distances, or those shaping as though they want every yard of the trip, are often the ones worth keeping on side. Cheltenham form can also be a major plus, particularly for runners who have already shown they can handle the track and still find plenty up the hill.
National Hunt Chase Odds
Ante-post odds for the 2027 National Hunt Chase are not yet widely available, as bookmakers tend to wait until the staying novice chase picture becomes clearer before forming a market. This page will be updated as soon as prices are released for the race.
About the National Hunt Chase
The National Hunt Chase is the final race on Cheltenham Festival Day 1, which takes place on Tuesday 10th March 2026. The race is a Grade 2 novices’ chase over three miles and six furlongs (from 2020) and is exclusively for amateur riders. The race was traditionally held over four miles, though the distance was changed due to animal welfare concerns after the 2019 renewal, which was won by Le Breuil. The race regularly produces a smart staying chaser, with the dual Grand National-winner Tiger Roll winning the race in 2017.
The National Hunt Chase was first run back in 1860 and holds the distinction of being run more times than any other race at the Cheltenham Festival. The race has been named in honour of several legendary figures of the sport in recent years, including Sir Peter O’Sullevan in 2008, John Oaksey in 2013, Terry Biddlecombe in 2014 and Toby Balding in 2015. The race was upgraded to listed status in 2014, and was again boosted to Grade 2 status in 2017. Following the 2019 renewal, the BHA announced a series of changes to the conditions of the race, which included shortening the distance by two furlongs to three miles and six furlongs.
2026 National Hunt Chase Result
The 2026 National Hunt Chase was won by HOLLOWAY QUEEN, with Nicky Henderson’s mare staying on strongly under James Bowen to beat King Of Answers by five and a half lengths in the closing race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
National Hunt Chase Key Trends
- Six of the last 10 winners have been aged seven
- Only two favourites have won in the last 10 renewals
- Six of the last 10 winners have been trained in Ireland
- Only four of the last 10 winners had won their previous race before claiming National Hunt Chase success
Previous Winners Of The National Hunt Chase
| Year | Winner | Winning Jockey | Winning Trainer | Starting Price | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Holloway Queen | James Bowen | Nicky Henderson | 12/1 | 6 |
| 2025 | Hauti Coleurs | Ben Jones | Rebecca Curtis | 7/2 Fav | 8 |
| 2024 | Corbetts Cross | Derek O'Connor | Emmet Mullins | 15/8 | 7 |
| 2023 | Gaillard Du Mesnil | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins | 10/11 Fav | 7 |
| 2022 | Stattler | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins | 2/1 | 7 |
| 2021 | Galvin | Jack Kennedy | Ian Ferguson | 7/2 | 7 |
| 2020 | Ravenhill | Jamie Codd | Gordon Elliott | 12/1 | 10 |
| 2019 | Le Breuil | Jamie Codd | Ben Pauling | 14/1 | 7 |
| 2018 | Rathvinden | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins | 9/2 | 10 |
| 2017 | Tiger Roll | Lisa O'Neill | Gordon Elliott | 16/1 | 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions About The National Hunt Chase
When is the National Hunt Chase?
The race takes place at 17:20 on Tuesday 16th March 2027.
Where can I watch the National Hunt Chase?
Watch the race live on Racing TV whooffer options to stream the race via their streaming services.
Alternatively most bookmakers offer a free live horse racing stream allowing you to watch the race after you've placed a bet or hold a funded account.
Are there any trials for the National Hunt Chase?
Contenders for the National Hunt Chase can come from many different places, though there are several listed and graded novice contests worth keeping an eye on throughout the season, including the John Francombe Novices’ Chase at Newbury, the Patrick Coyne Memorial Novices’ Chase at Haydock, the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick and the Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
Who is the most successful jockey in the National Hunt Chase?
Jamie Codd and Patrick Mullins are the most successful jockeys having won the event three times with Codd bagging wins on board Cause Of Causes (2015), Le Breuil (2019), and Ravenhill (2020), while Mullins partnered Back In Focus (2013), Rathvinden (2018) and Stattler (2022) to glory.
Who is the most successful trainer in the National Hunt Chase?
The most successful trainer in the history of the National Hunt Chase in Jonjo O’Neill, who has won the race six times. Jonjo O’Neill’s wins in the race came courtesy of Front Line (1995), Rith Dubh (2002), Sudden Shock (2003), Native Emperor (2004), Butler’s Cabin (2007) and Minella Rocco (2016).
Who is the most iconic winner of National Hunt Chase?
The National Hunt Chase has proven to be a good breeding ground for staying chasers, and several winners of the race have gone on to make their mark in the Grand National - though none more so than the 2017 winner, Tiger Roll. The 2014 Triumph Hurdle winner had proven a talented but quirky individual up to this point, losing his enthusiasm for the game to the point that he was even tried on the Flat at Dundalk by his trainer in March 2016 (rather than head to the Cheltenham Festival!), but he has really come into his own since switching to fences, and his 2017 National Hunt Chase felt like his coming of age moment. It hardly needs documenting what Tiger Roll has achieved since, winning back-to-back renewals of the Cross Country Chase at the Festival in 2018 and 2019 and becoming the first horse since Red Rum to successfully defend his Grand National crown at Aintree in April 2019.