Future Champion Novices' Chase

Future Champion Novices' Chase
Grade 2 race
LocationAyr Racecourse
Ayrshire, Scotland
Race typeSteeplechase
SponsorJordan Electrics
WebsiteAyr
Race information
Distance2m 4½f (4,163 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFive-years-old and up
Weight11 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
Future Champion Novices' Chase
2023
Dark blue, maroon chevron, diabolo on sleeves and star on cap Royal blue, white hoops, maroon sleeves and cap White, grey hoop, white and red hooped cap
Datsalrightgino Thunder Rock Unexpected Party
Previous years
2022
Black, orange star, black sleeves, orange stars, black cap, orange star Red, yellow stars, armlets and star on cap White, royal blue epaulets, white sleeves, red spots, royal blue cap
Do Your Job Minella Drama Il Ridoto
2021
Yellow, black and yellow striped sleeves, white cap Royal blue, red epaulets, light blue cap Beige, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap
Allmankind Malystic Whoshotthesheriff
2020-2011
2019
Yellow, royal blue spots Red, grey striped sleeves, white cap White, black seams, red and black hooped sleeves, black and red hooped cap
Secret Investor Louis' Vac Pouch Monbeg Legend
2018
Black, white star, halved sleeves and star on cap Royal blue, emerald green disc, emerald green and royal blue quartered cap Only two finished
Bigmartre Cobra De Mai Only two finished
2017
Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap Yellow, light blue hooped sleeves Pink, large purple spots, hooped sleeves
Cloudy Dream Theinval Oldgrangewood
2016
Royal blue and yellow (quartered), royal blue sleeves, yellow spots, royal blue cap Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap Red, white sleeves, red and grey quartered cap
Le Mercurey Bristol De Mai Otago Trail
2015
Dark blue and white diabolo, emerald green and white check sleeves, white cap, red star Purple, gold cross sashes, emerald green cap Black and beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, beige cap
Top Gamble Seventh Sky Solar Impulse
2014
Red, yellow stars, yellow sleeves, red armlets, red cap Dark blue, light blue hoops and armlets, red cap Maroon, white chevron, dark blue and white striped sleeves, maroon and dark blue striped cap
Eduard Valdez Aibrean
2013
Brown, orange sleeves, quartered cap Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Royal blue, white cross belts, white sleeves, orange armlets, orange cap, white star
Rajdhani Express Tap Night Desert Cry
2012
Red, black seams, black and beige chevrons on sleeves, black and red quartered cap Emerald green, yellow sash and star on cap Dark blue, emerald green and pink hooped sleeves, yellow cap
Pacha Du Polder Rival D'estruval Lidar
2011
Dark green and white check, dark green sleeves, white armlets, dark green cap Red, white seams, red sleeves, yellow armlets and stars on red cap Emerald green and red diabolo, white sleeves, emerald green diamonds, white cap, red diamond
Gilbarry Sam Lord Nadiya De La Vega
2010-2001
2010
Dark blue, emerald green hoop, quartered cap Pink, large purple spots, hooped sleeves Emerald green and red stripes, white cap
French Opera Tchico Polos Fiendish Flame
2009
Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap Yellow, red star, yellow sleeves, white armlets, yellow cap, red star Light blue, dark blue epaulets, diamonds on sleeves, dark blue cap
Deep Purple I'msingingtheblues Raysrock
2008
Royal Blue, Yellow Cross of Lorraine, diabolo on sleeves Yellow, Red star, Yellow sleeves, White armlets, Yellow cap, Red star Black and beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, beige cap
Starzaan Noland Frankie Figg
2007
RED and YELLOW CHEVRONS, red sleeves and cap Red, yellow epaulets Pink, White hoops, Black sleeves, White cap
Natal Faasel Harmony Brig
2006
Black, white seams, checked sleeves, quartered cap Emerald green and red diabolo, white sleeves, emerald green diamonds, white cap, red diamond Light Blue and Royal Blue (quartered), Royal Blue sleeves, Light Blue stars, Royal Blue cap, Light Blue star
Monet's Garden Le Volfoni Kasthari
2005
Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap Purple, Yellow stripe, striped cap
Locksmith My Will Fool on the Hill
2004
Maroon, yellow chevrons and spots on sleeves, yellow cap, maroon spots Red, white cross belts, hooped sleeves and star on cap Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap
Keltic Bard Thisthatandtother Better Days
2003
Orange, black epaulets, hooped sleeves and star on cap Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap Light Blue, Red chevrons, halved sleeves, quartered cap
Vol Solitaire Tarxien Farmer Jack
2002
Dark green, white chevron, light green sleeves, dark green and white check cap Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Brown, Beige braces, Orange cap
Valley Henry Man on the Hill Big-And-Bold
2001
Orange, black spots on sleeves and cap Emerald green, yellow sash and star on cap Black, White sleeves, White cap, Black spots
Grey Abbey Hugo De Grez Running Moss
2000-1991
2000
Dark green, white seams, dark green sleeves, white cap, red star Brown, Beige braces, Orange cap Yellow, purple chevron and sleeves, purple and orange quartered cap
Gingembre Spirit Dancer Bosuns Mate
1999
Beige and emerald green check, beige sleeves Light green, white sleeves, red cap, white spots Black, yellow stars, black sleeves, white armlets, yellow cap
Bouchasson Scotia Nostra Irbee
1998
Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap Purple, emerald green cross belts and sleeves, quartered cap
Eirespray Edelweis Du Moulin Ingletonian
1997
Emerald green, yellow sash and star on cap Light blue and royal blue stripes, light blue sleeves, royal blue armlets, quartered cap Maroon, yellow sleeves, white armlets, maroon and yellow quartered cap
Sparky Gayle Macgeorge Stately Home
1996
Red and White diamonds, Royal Blue sleeves, Royal Blue cap, Red diamond Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Yellow, red star, armlets and star on cap
Addington Boy Challenger Du Luc Oscail An Doras
1995
Green, black hollow box Royal blue, silver striped sleeves, red and royal blue hooped cap Black, Yellow disc, diamonds on sleeves, Black cap, Yellow spots
Dancing Paddy Morceli Wee River
1994
Dark green, white chevron, light green sleeves, dark green and white check cap Royal blue, yellow chevrons, royal blue sleeves, light blue armlets, yellow cap Green, white hoop, green and black hooped sleeves and cap
See More Indians Gallateen Rouyan
1993
Pink, black disc and sleeves, diamonds on cap Red, White chevron and armlets, striped cap White, pink hoop
Cab On Target Persian House Montpelier Lad
1992
Red, grey cross of lorraine and sleeves, red cap Grey, white hoop, armlets and cap Maroon, beige triple diamond, diabolo on sleeves, hooped cap
The Illywhacker Armagret Whaat Fettle
1991
owned by J F Morse owned by Lt-Commander W H Crawford Light blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap
High Knowl Lothian Captain Young Benz
1990-1988
1990
Pink, silver sleeves, mauve and pink hooped cap Black and yellow diamonds, checked sleeves, yellow cap Black, light blue cuffs and cap
Celtic Shot Young Snugfit Highfrith
1989
Black, red sleeves, gold star on cap Yellow, red sash, diabolo on sleeves, black cap Maroon, beige triple diamond, diabolo on sleeves, hooped cap
Southern Minstrel Interim Lib Tartan Tailor
1988
Orange, dark blue sleeves Saxe blue, yellow armlets, blue and red quartered cap Light blue, royal blue cross-belts and diamond on cap
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]
Leading jockey since 1968 (3 wins):
  • 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]
Year
 Winner
 Age
 Jockey
 Trainer
1971 Chorus 10 Stan Mellor Harry Thomson Jones
1972 Avondhu 9 P Brogan P Chesmore
1973 The Benign Bishop 6 Ron Barry Ken Oliver
1974 Winter Rain 6 Michael Dickinson Tony Dickinson
1975 Easby Abbey 8 Ron Barry Peter Easterby
1976 Cromwell Road 6 David Goulding Gordon W. Richards
1977 Crofton Hall 8 Jonjo O'Neill J Dixon
1978 King Weasel 6 Jonjo O'Neill Peter Easterby
1979 Night Nurse 8 Jonjo O'Neill Peter Easterby
1980 Don't Forget 6 Ridley Lamb Arthur Stephenson
1981 Little Bay 6 Ron Barry Gordon W. Richards
1982 Full Sutton 9 Bob Davies Derek Kent
1983 Mountain Hays 8 Alan Brown Peter Easterby
1984 Noddy's Ryde 7 Neale Doughty Gordon W. Richards
1985 Buck House 7 Tommy Carmody Mouse Morris (Ir)
1986 Amber Rambler 7 S Youlden Harry Wharton
1987 General Chandos 6 Johnny Bradburne[a] Johnny Bradburne
1988 Jim Thorpe 7 Mark Dwyer Gordon W. Richards
1989 Southern Minstrel 6 Chris Grant Arthur Stephenson
1990 Celtic Shot 8 Graham McCourt Charlie Brooks
1991 High Knowl 8 Graham McCourt Martin Pipe
1992 The Illywhacker 7 Mark Pitman Jenny Pitman
1993 Cab on Target 7 Peter Niven Mary Reveley
1994 See More Indians 7 Richard Dunwoody Paul Nicholls
1995 Dancing Paddy 7 Richard Dunwoody Ken Cunningham-Brown
1996 Addington Boy 8 Tony Dobbin Gordon W. Richards
1997 Sparky Gayle 7 Brian Storey Colin Parker
1998 Eirespray 7 Richard Guest Sue Smith
1999 Bouchasson 6 Robert Widger[a] Philip Hobbs
2000 Gingembre 6 Warren Marston Lavinia Taylor
2001 Grey Abbey 7 Brian Harding Barry Murtagh
2002 Valley Henry 7 Barry Geraghty Paul Nicholls
2003 Vol Solitaire 5 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls
2004 Keltic Bard 7 Noel Fehily Charlie Mann
2005 Locksmith 5 Timmy Murphy Martin Pipe
2006 Monet's Garden 8 Tony Dobbin Nicky Richards
2007 Natal [b] 6 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls
2008 Starzaan 9 Robert Thornton Hughie Morrison
2009 Deep Purple 8 Paul Moloney Evan Williams
2010 French Opera 7 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson
2011 Gilbarry 6 Graham Lee Malcolm Jefferson
2012 Pacha du Polder 5 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls
2013 Rajdhani Express 6 Sam Waley-Cohen[a] Nicky Henderson
2014 Eduard 6 Brian Harding Nicky Richards
2015 Top Gamble 7 Richard Johnson Richard Lee
2016 Le Mercurey 6 Sam Twiston-Davies Paul Nicholls
2017 Cloudy Dream 7 Brian Hughes Malcolm Jefferson
2018 Bigmartre 7 Harry Bannister Harry Whittington
2019 Secret Investor 7 Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls
no race 2020 [c]
2021 Allmankind 5 Harry Skelton Dan Skelton
2022 Do Your Job 8 Richard Patrick Michael Scudamore
2023 Datsalrightgino 7 Gavin Sheehan Jamie Snowden
  1. ^ a b c amateur jockey
  2. ^ Yes Sir finished first in 2007, but he was subsequently disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance
  3. ^ The 2020 running was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom[2]

Earlier winners

[edit]
  • 1968 – Certainement
  • 1969 – Chesapeake Bay
  • 1970 – Mischievous Monk

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Package of changes agreed to help strengthen performance of British Jump racing". British Horseracing Authority. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Coronavirus: Horse racing in Great Britain suspended until end of April". BBC Sport. 17 March 2020.
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