This page shows races at Cheltenham that have been discontinued or moved to other courses. Although these races no longer run we feel it is an important part of the history of one of the the most famous jump racing course in the world and so we’ve kept those summaries and pages here for you to read about.
For current races see our main meeting pages, which covers all active races at Cheltenham year round.
Cheltenham Festival Old Races
Novices' Handicap Chase - Discontinued (Champion Day)
- Grade: Listed
- Distance: 2m 4f 44y (4065m)
- Fences: 16
- Course: Old Course
Run over two miles, four furlongs and forty-four yards (2m, 4f, 44y), the Novices' Handicap Chase has sixteen fences for the novice chasers to jump. Qualification is given to horses of five years of age or older that have a handicap rating of between 0 and 140. Established back in 2005 when a fourth day was added to the Festival’s calendar, this race is the second to last to be run on Day One as punters collect their winnings and drain the last of their drinks.
From 2005 until 2010 it was named the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase, owing to sponsorship, and was held on the third day of the festival. It was renamed in 2011 in honour of Cheltenham Racecourse’s centenary and has had numerous sponsorships since. Given its relative youth, it’s not a surprise that there are no standout winners of this race. Both the leading jockey, Graham Lee, and the leading trainer, Ferdy Murphy, have just two wins to their names.
This race has been discontinued at Cheltenham from 2021 onwards and is due to be replaced by the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap, moving from Ladies Day, with a new Mares' Chase being added to Gold Cup Day. The Novice's Chase will move to the Sandown Imperial Meeting the week before the Festival.
2020 Winners
- Horse - Imperial Aura
- Jockey - David Bass
- Trainer - Kim Bailey
- Overall Prize Money - £69,000
- For The Winner - £39,389