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Future Champion Novices' Chase
16 Apr 2011: Scottish Grand National Tips and Betting Preview
16 Apr 2010: Scottish Grand National Odds
The Future Champion Novices' Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt Race, held annually in April at Ayr Racecourse in Scotland. The race is held over the gruelling distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs, with 17 fences to be negotiated along the way. While the Future Champion Novices' Stakes are open to horses over the age of five, the entry is limited to 'novices', meaning horses which have not yet recorded a victory in the current season.
As part of the same racecard as the Scottish Grand National, the Future Champion Novices' Stakes is one of the most popular fixtures hosted at Ayr. Although it is currently classified as a Grade 2 event, which was introduced to the Scottish racing calendar in April 1968, it enjoyed a brief moment of Grade 1 glory between 1991 and 1995. Currently back to its Grade 2 status, the Future Champion Novices' Stakes awards a purse of £40,000 to the winning talent.
Trainer Jonjo O'Neill left his mark on the Future Champion Novices' Stakes in his jockeying days, becoming one of only two riders to ride three winners at the event; Crofton Hall in 1977, King Weasel in 1978 and Night Nurse in 1979. Joint record holder Ron Barry recorded his victories in 1973, 1975 and 1981.
Recent Winners of the Future Champion Novices' Chase:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
2010 |
French Opera |
7 |
Barry Geraghty |
Nicky Henderson |
2009 |
Deep Purple |
8 |
Paul Moloney |
Evan Williams |
2008 |
Starzaan |
9 |
Robert Thornton |
Hughie Morrison |
2007 |
Natal |
6 |
Ruby Walsh |
Paul Nicholls |
2006 |
Monet's Garden |
8 |
Tony Dobbin |
Nicky Richards |
2005 |
Locksmith |
5 |
Timmy Murphy |
Martin Pipe |
