Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase

Introduced	2005
Racecourse	Cheltenham, Old Course
Race Distance	2 miles & 4 1/2 furlongs
Entry Conditions	Novice horses aged 5 and over
Current Sponsor	Close Brothers
Date & Time	Formally on Day 1 at 16:50
Leading Jockey	Graham Lee & Brian Hughes with 2 wins
Leading Trainer	Ferdy Murphy with 2 wins

The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase, also known as the Centenary Novices Handicap Chase, was the 2nd last race to take place on day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival before the race was discontinued in 2021 when the The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase was introduced.

It was run over a distance of around 2 miles and 4 1/2 furlongs on the old course at Cheltenham and features 16 fences.

The race is one of the newer races to feature at the Cheltenham Festival having been introduced in 2005 when a fourth day was added to the festival.

Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase Past Winners

Year		Horse	Age	Price	Trainer	Jockey	Distances
2020	1st	Honeysuckle	6	9-4	H De Bromhead	Rachael Blackmore
	2nd	Benie Des Dieux	9	4-6f	W P Mullins	P Townend	1/2 length
	3rd	Elfile	6	16-1	W P Mullins	D E Mullins	6 1/2 lengths
–
2019	1st	A Plus Tard	5	5-1F	H De Bromhead	R Blackmore
	2nd	Tower Bridge	6	6-1	J P O’Brien	J J Slevin	16 Lengths
	3rd	Ben Dundee	7	33-1	G Elliott	K M Donoghue	4 1/2 Lengths
–
2018	1st	Mister Whitaker	6	11-1	M R Channon	B S Hughes
	2nd	Rather Be	7	15-2	N J Henderson	J McGrath	Head
	3rd	Rocklander	9	16-1	T R George	A Heskin	3 1/4 Lengths
–
2017	1st	Tully East	7	8-1	A Fleming	D F O’Regan
	2nd	Gold Present	7	14-1	N J Henderson	J McGrath	1 1/4 Lengths
	3rd	Two Taffs	7	7-1	D Skelton	D N Russell	Neck
–
2016	1st	Ballyalton	9	12-1	I Williams	B S Hughes
	2nd	Bouvreuil	5	14-1	P F Nicholls	Sam Twiston-Davies	1/2 a Lengths
	3rd	Double Shuffle	6	8-1	T R George	P J Brennan	4 1/2 Lengths
–
2015	1st	Irish Cavalier	6	11-1	R Curtis	P Townend
	2nd	Thomas Crapper	8	6-1	R Dickin	C Poste	2 1/2 Lengths
	3rd	Generous Ransom	7	8-1	N J Gifford	D A Jacob	1/2 a Length

Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase Trends

• 11 of the last 15 Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase winners either finished 1st or 2nd last time out
• 11 of the last 15 Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase winners were aged 6 or 7 years old

Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase Betting Offers

The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase was the second last race to take place on day 1 of the Cheltenham festival and so whether you’ve hit a few winners already or luck hasn’t been on your side, you should look at taking advantage of some of the betting offers available on the race to increase your chances of being in profit.

There will be a number of betting offers for the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase, as there will be for every race at Cheltenham. These include free bet offers, enhanced prices, money-back on losing bets, best odds guaranteed and extra places to name a few. These offers can add extra value to your bets and are worth taking advantage of.

Below is a list of Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase betting offers which are currently available.