Future Champion Novices' Chase
2023
DatsalrightginoThunder RockUnexpected Party
Previous years
2022
Do Your JobMinella DramaIl Ridoto
2021
AllmankindMalysticWhoshotthesheriff
2020-2011
2019
Secret InvestorLouis' Vac PouchMonbeg Legend
2018
BigmartreCobra De MaiOnly two finished
2017
Cloudy DreamTheinvalOldgrangewood
2016
Le MercureyBristol De MaiOtago Trail
2015
Top GambleSeventh SkySolar Impulse
2014
EduardValdezAibrean
2013
Rajdhani ExpressTap NightDesert Cry
2012
Pacha Du PolderRival D'estruvalLidar
2011
GilbarrySam LordNadiya De La Vega
2010-2001
2010
French OperaTchico PolosFiendish Flame
2009
Deep PurpleI'msingingthebluesRaysrock
2008
StarzaanNolandFrankie Figg
2007
NatalFaaselHarmony Brig
2006
Monet's GardenLe VolfoniKasthari
2005
LocksmithMy WillFool on the Hill
2004
Keltic BardThisthatandtotherBetter Days
2003
Vol SolitaireTarxienFarmer Jack
2002
Valley HenryMan on the HillBig-And-Bold
2001
Grey AbbeyHugo De GrezRunning Moss
2000-1991
2000
GingembreSpirit DancerBosuns Mate
1999
BouchassonScotia NostraIrbee
1998
EiresprayEdelweis Du MoulinIngletonian
1997
Sparky GayleMacgeorgeStately Home
1996
Addington BoyChallenger Du LucOscail An Doras
1995
Dancing PaddyMorceliWee River
1994
See More IndiansGallateenRouyan
1993
Cab On TargetPersian HouseMontpelier Lad
1992
The IllywhackerArmagretWhaat Fettle
1991
High KnowlLothian CaptainYoung Benz
1990-1988
1990
Celtic ShotYoung SnugfitHighfrith
1989
Southern MinstrelInterim LibTartan Tailor
1988
Jim ThorpeColonel RoseHigh 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.

Records

  • 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

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainer
1968Certainement6Stan MellorEdward Courage
1969Chesapeake Bay6Gerry ScottNeville Crump
1970Mischievous Monk6Stan HayhurstLord Kilmany
1971Chorus10Stan MellorHarry Thomson Jones
1972Avondhu9Peter BroganP Chesmore
1973The Benign Bishop6Ron BarryKen Oliver
1974Winter Rain6Michael DickinsonTony Dickinson
1975Easby Abbey8Ron BarryPeter Easterby
1976Cromwell Road6David GouldingGordon W. Richards
1977Crofton Hall8Jonjo O'NeillJ Dixon
1978King Weasel6Jonjo O'NeillPeter Easterby
1979Night Nurse8Jonjo O'NeillPeter Easterby
1980Don't Forget6Ridley LambArthur Stephenson
1981Little Bay6Ron BarryGordon W. Richards
1982Full Sutton9Bob DaviesDerek Kent
1983Mountain Hays8Alan BrownPeter Easterby
1984Noddy's Ryde7Neale DoughtyGordon W. Richards
1985Buck House7Tommy CarmodyMouse Morris (Ir)
1986Amber Rambler7Steve YouldenHarry Wharton
1987General Chandos6Johnny BradburneJohnny Bradburne
1988Jim Thorpe7Mark DwyerGordon W. Richards
1989Southern Minstrel6Chris GrantArthur Stephenson
1990Celtic Shot8Graham McCourtCharlie Brooks
1991High Knowl8Graham McCourtMartin Pipe
1992The Illywhacker7Mark PitmanJenny Pitman
1993Cab on Target7Peter NivenMary Reveley
1994See More Indians7Richard DunwoodyPaul Nicholls
1995Dancing Paddy7Richard DunwoodyKen Cunningham-Brown
1996Addington Boy8Tony DobbinGordon W. Richards
1997Sparky Gayle7Brian StoreyColin Parker
1998Eirespray7Richard GuestSue Smith
1999Bouchasson6Robert WidgerPhilip Hobbs
2000Gingembre6Warren MarstonLavinia Taylor
2001Grey Abbey7Brian HardingBarry Murtagh
2002Valley Henry7Barry GeraghtyPaul Nicholls
2003Vol Solitaire5Ruby WalshPaul Nicholls
2004Keltic Bard7Noel FehilyCharlie Mann
2005Locksmith5Timmy MurphyMartin Pipe
2006Monet's Garden8Tony DobbinNicky Richards
2007Natal6Ruby WalshPaul Nicholls
2008Starzaan9Robert ThorntonHughie Morrison
2009Deep Purple8Paul MoloneyEvan Williams
2010French Opera7Barry GeraghtyNicky Henderson
2011Gilbarry6Graham LeeMalcolm Jefferson
2012Pacha du Polder5Ruby WalshPaul Nicholls
2013Rajdhani Express6Sam Waley-CohenNicky Henderson
2014Eduard6Brian HardingNicky Richards
2015Top Gamble7Richard JohnsonRichard Lee
2016Le Mercurey6Sam Twiston-DaviesPaul Nicholls
2017Cloudy Dream7Brian HughesMalcolm Jefferson
2018Bigmartre7Harry BannisterHarry Whittington
2019Secret Investor7Harry CobdenPaul Nicholls
no race 2020
2021Allmankind5Harry SkeltonDan Skelton
2022Do Your Job8Richard PatrickMichael Scudamore
2023Datsalrightgino7Gavin SheehanJamie Snowden

See also

  • Racing Post: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

External links

  • Race Recordings (1979, 1985-2008)
  • – Future Champion Novices' Chase – Ayr.
  • Timeform Chasers & Hurdlers Statistical Companion 1992–93. Portway Press. 1993. p. 172.