The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup is the closing race on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival, contested by amateur jockeys over three miles and six furlongs. This prestigious novice handicap chase attracts high-quality horses with stamina and potential.
The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup represents one of the most demanding tests at the Cheltenham Festival, combining stamina requirements with the unique challenge of amateur jockeys. Understanding the odds landscape and betting strategies for this race can significantly enhance your chances of finding value in what is traditionally a competitive handicap chase.
The betting market for the National Hunt Chase typically opens several months before the Cheltenham Festival, with odds fluctuating based on trial performances, entries, and market sentiment. Unlike some Cheltenham races where favourites dominate, this contest has produced numerous upsets, with only two favourites winning in the past decade.
Bookmakers price this race cautiously due to its unpredictable nature. The combination of amateur riders, testing distance, and competitive handicapping creates opportunities for outsiders. Gaillard Du Mesnil in 2023 was the most recent winning favourite, while Tiger Roll famously won at odds of 16-1 in 2017 before his Grand National heroics.
Comparing odds across different bookmakers is essential for the National Hunt Chase. Price variations can be significant, particularly for horses outside the top three in the market. A horse priced at 12-1 with one bookmaker might be available at 14-1 or 16-1 elsewhere, representing substantial value differences.
Modern odds comparison tools display all available prices in a grid format, with the best odds highlighted for each runner. Red and blue colour coding indicates market movements, showing which horses are drifting in price or being backed by punters.
Several critical factors influence National Hunt Chase betting markets and should inform your wagering decisions. Understanding these elements helps identify potential value bets and avoid common pitfalls.
The three miles six furlongs distance demands exceptional stamina. Horses must have proven their ability to stay this trip, ideally with strong performances over three miles or further. Form over inadequate distances provides little indication of National Hunt Chase prospects.
Look for horses that have won or placed strongly in staying novice chases, particularly those who finished their races well. Pedigree analysis can also reveal stamina influences, with certain sire lines known for producing stayers.
The amateur rider requirement adds unpredictability but also creates opportunities. Some amateur jockeys possess exceptional skill and Festival experience, while others may be riding at Cheltenham for the first time. The jockey-horse partnership quality significantly impacts performance.
Established amateur riders with previous Festival experience often command shorter odds, but talented newcomers can provide value. Reviewing recent rides and success rates helps assess jockey competence.
Irish-trained horses have won eight of the last nine National Hunt Chase renewals, with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott accounting for all eight victories. This dominance reflects the strength of Irish National Hunt racing and the quality of horses these trainers target at the race.
While Irish runners deserve respect, this pattern also means British-trained horses can offer value if market sentiment overly favours Irish contenders. Horses trained by Rebecca Curtis and other top British handlers warrant consideration, particularly at generous odds.
Analysing recent National Hunt Chase results reveals important betting patterns and helps identify value opportunities in future renewals.
The poor record of favourites in this race is striking. Only Gaillard Du Mesnil in 2023 and Back In Focus in 2013 have obliged as market leaders in the past twelve years. Second favourites have fared better, with Galvin, Stattler, and Corbetts Cross all winning from that position.
This pattern suggests looking beyond the favourite for value, particularly considering each-way betting with extended place terms. Horses priced between 7-1 and 16-1 have produced multiple winners, representing the sweet spot for value seekers.
Betting on the National Hunt Chase requires careful analysis of stamina, form over fences, and amateur jockey partnerships. The race has been shortened from its original marathon distance, attracting a higher calibre of horse while still testing endurance capabilities.
Irish-trained horses have dominated recent renewals, with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott responsible for eight of the last nine winners. Favourites rarely oblige in this competitive handicap, making each-way betting and value selections particularly attractive strategies.
Tiger Roll won at 16-1 in 2017, Le Breuil at 14-1 in 2019, and Ravenhill at 12-1 in 2020, demonstrating that double-figure prices regularly prevail. Even shorter-priced winners like Galvin at 7-2 and Stattler at 9-2 were second favourites rather than market leaders.
This pricing pattern reflects the competitive nature of the handicap and the challenges posed by the distance and amateur jockey requirement. Punters should embrace longer odds rather than gravitating toward short-priced favourites with poor historical records.
Each-way betting represents an intelligent approach to the National Hunt Chase given the unpredictability of results and the competitive fields typically assembled.
Standard each-way terms for Cheltenham Festival races typically offer one-fifth odds for three places, but many bookmakers extend this to four or even five places for competitive handicaps. These enhanced terms significantly improve each-way value, particularly for horses priced between 10-1 and 25-1.
A horse priced at 16-1 with four-place terms returns 3.2-1 for a place finish. In a field of twenty-plus runners, securing four places rather than three dramatically increases your chances of a return.
Each-way value exists when a horse has realistic place prospects at odds that provide attractive returns even without winning. Horses with proven stamina, competent amateur jockeys, and form suggesting they will stay the trip represent ideal each-way selections.
Avoid horses with stamina doubts or inexperienced riders when betting each-way, as these factors increase the risk of non-completion. Focus on reliable stayers from top yards with jockeys capable of delivering a clear round.
Early market leaders for the 2026 renewal include Now Is The Hour, who showed promise with a solid fourth-place finish at Navan. The horse has demonstrated consistency across multiple tracks and represents the type of reliable stayer this race rewards.
Deafening Silence merits consideration after a second-place finish at Windsor and a creditable third at Haydock Park. Trainer Rebecca Curtis has Festival-winning experience and knows how to prepare horses for Cheltenham's unique demands.
Haiti Couleurs impressed with a near three-length victory at Cheltenham in December, following an earlier success at Aintree. This proven course form at the Festival venue provides a significant advantage and justifies market support.
Chapeau De Soleil represents another Mullins-trained prospect after strong performances at Gowran Park and Leopardstown. The seven-year-old appears to be improving and could peak at the right time for the Festival.
Major bookmakers provide enhanced offers for Cheltenham Festival races, including the National Hunt Chase. These promotions can significantly boost betting value when used strategically.
Common promotions include money-back offers if your horse finishes second, or refunds if your selection falls. These risk-reduction offers make backing horses at shorter odds more attractive by providing insurance against narrow defeats.
Selected bookmakers offer enhanced odds on specific horses or price boosts for new customers. These promotions can turn marginal value bets into strong propositions, particularly when combined with each-way terms.
The National Hunt Chase offers exceptional betting opportunities for punters willing to look beyond short-priced favourites. The race's history of upsets, combined with competitive handicapping and the amateur jockey element, creates a market where value regularly exists at double-figure odds. Successful betting requires thorough form analysis, stamina assessment, and strategic use of each-way terms and bookmaker promotions. Irish-trained horses deserve respect given their recent dominance, but British contenders from quality yards should not be dismissed, particularly when available at generous prices. By comparing odds across multiple bookmakers, identifying horses with proven stamina, and employing each-way strategies with enhanced place terms, punters can maximise their chances of profitable returns from this prestigious Cheltenham Festival contest.
The National Hunt Chase is the final race on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival, scheduled for Tuesday, 10th March 2026 at 5:20pm. It closes the opening day's action with a demanding test of stamina over three miles and six furlongs.
Only two favourites have won the National Hunt Chase in the past twelve years due to the competitive handicapping, amateur jockey requirement, and stamina demands. The combination of these factors creates unpredictability that regularly produces upsets and value at longer odds.
The best each-way terms offer one-fifth odds for four or five places rather than the standard three places. These enhanced terms significantly improve value for horses priced between 10-1 and 25-1, increasing your chances of a return in competitive fields.
Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have dominated the National Hunt Chase with four wins each in the last nine renewals. Irish trainers have won eight of the last nine runnings, demonstrating their strength in preparing horses for this demanding contest.
Previous Cheltenham course experience provides a significant advantage in the National Hunt Chase. Horses that have performed well at the track understand its unique demands, including the uphill finish and testing fences, making them safer betting propositions.
Horses should have proven their stamina over at least three miles before tackling the National Hunt Chase. Ideally, they will have won or placed strongly over three miles or further, demonstrating they possess the endurance required for three miles six furlongs at Cheltenham.
Compare odds and offers from leading bookmakers for National Hunt Chase betting
Rebecca Curtis-trained stayer with proven Cheltenham form and consecutive victories at top tracks. Strong each-way selection with course advantage.
Consistent performer with solid placed efforts at quality tracks. Represents excellent each-way value at current odds with proven stamina credentials.
Now Is The Hour has been installed as early favourite for the 2026 National Hunt Chase following consistent performances at Navan and Punchestown.
Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have entered multiple contenders as Irish trainers continue their recent dominance of the National Hunt Chase.
Leading bookmakers have confirmed enhanced each-way terms with five places for the National Hunt Chase, providing improved value for punters.