NATIONAL HUNT CHASE HISTORY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS

The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup is a Class B chase run over four miles at the Cheltenham Festival. It is open to novices aged five years old and upwards. All horses are ridden by amateur jockeys who have to be Category B (Britain) and Category C (Ireland) to qualify to ride in the race. A difficult race for punters, with only one winning favourite since 1992. However, followers of Cheltenham statistics ought to have done well, with Jonjo O'Neill training 4 of the last seven winners at 33/1, 5/1, 25/1 and 10/1 in the Cheltenham betting.

Check out the latest National Hunt Chase Odds by clicking here!


2008 OLD BENNY (Jockey: Charlie Huxley, Trainer: Alan King)

The 2008 Cheltenham Festival renewal was named after veteran broadcaster and journalist Peter O' Sullevan, in honour of his 90th birthday. The 9/1 winner was impressive under a patient ride, making up ground steadily and seeing his race out far better than Over The Creek, winning by 7l and 4½l. Back on Line battled on for third, having raced up with the pace throughout.

2007 BUTLER'S CABIN (Jockey: Alan Berry, Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill)

One for the Cheltenham statistics experts as Jonjo O'Neill trained his fourth winner of this race in the last six Cheltenham Festivals, and it wasn't as big a shock as the horse's 33/1 starting price might have suggested, as Butler's Cabin had run a several decent races, notably when a staying on fourth in the Paddy Power in November. Having battled strongly to get the better of his duel with runner up, Character Building on the run-in, he needed oxygen after passing the post. There was a decent gap back to Countess Trifaldi in third. The winner subsequently won the Irish Grand National.

2006 HOT WELD (Jockey: Richard Harding, Trainer: Ferdy Murphy)

Connections were left to celebrate their second big priced winner of the meeting when Hot Weld, at 33/1 in the Cheltenham betting, took the honours. Harding gave the winner a fine ride, dictating a slow pace in front and then quickening things up on the run for home, leaving a number of his rivals tapped for toe. The horse relishes decent ground and stayed on strongly when challenged on either side by the placed horses. Beantown and Far From Trouble would surely have got to the winner in another 100 yards.

2005 ANOTHER RUM (Jockey: Mr. M.J. O' Hare, Trainer: I. A. Duncan)

The 2005 Cheltenham Festival produced another shock result. The winner, a 40/1 chance in the Cheltenham betting, was better suited by faster ground and travelled strongly throughout, winning nicely by 7l. Caislean Ui Cain grabbed second on the run-in, with Control Man 4l back in third.

2004 NATIVE EMPEROR (Jockey: Robert Widger, Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill)

The winner, a former useful hurdler, was suited by the stamina test, responding well to strong driving to catch runner-up Celestial Gold who returned to something like his best. Drombeag, a stablemate of the winner, stayed on well for third, clear of Silver Birch. Cheltenham statistics show that the fourth horse subsequently won the Grand National.

2003 SUDDEN SHOCK (Jockey: Mr. D.W. Cullen, Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill)

Sudden Shock was a big price, at 25/1 in the Cheltenham betting, but had every chance on his smart hurdling form. Held up, he closed on the leaders throughout the final circuit, staying on well to lead on the run-in. Smart novice Stormez was badly let down by his jumping, being generally sloppy throughout. His amateur partner did wonders to get the Cheltenham betting favourite so close. Young Ottoman was always in touch and plugged on for third.

2002 RITH DUBH (Jockey: Mr. J.T. McNamara, Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill)

Rith Dubh and Timbera played cat and mouse before the former was unleashed up the run-in. Rith Dubh had beaten Sun Alliance Chase winner Hussard Collonges but had previously shown an aversion to the whip. Consequently, his rider only cajoled and received plenty of response. Silver Steel was another to show abundant stamina but could not match the speed of the first two from the last.

2001 Cheltenham Festival abandoned – foot and mouth epidemic

2000 RELAXATION (Jockey: Mark Bradburne, Trainer: Henry Daly)

A decent performance by Relaxation, who was winning for the first time over fences. Going on at the 16th, he steadily drew clear, and although he had to be ridden along from second-last, he kept on jumping and kept on galloping. Inexperienced Inch Rose ran a decent race to finish second. Back in third, Mister One ran much better on this faster ground.

1999 DEEJAYDEE (Jockey: Tony Martin, Trainer: Michael Hourigan)

Cheltenham statistics show that winner had finished a 25-length fourth to Wandering Light in the 1998 race. Held up and always going well, he made steady progress, challenged at the last and stayed on under pressure to win all-out. Riot Leader raced off the pace, but led on the turn in until caught close home. The pair were six lengths clear of the inexperienced SpotTheDifference, who was well behind until making steady headway from halfway. Cheltenham statistics reveal that the third subsequently won seven times over the Cross Country course, including the Cross Country Chase at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival.