JLT Novices’ Chase Betting Tips and Race Preview – Cheltenham 2023

The JLT Novices’ Chase is a relatively new race and in 2023 we will see the eighth running of the race. There had been a lot of call for a novice chase race ran over two and a half miles before this race came about, and when it did the trainers and owners who had been asking were thrilled. There are many horses who don’t have the speed to win the Arkle, or who don’t have the stamina to win the RSA Chase, and it is those horses who will contest the JLT Chase.

Being a race that has horses entered in it that may run elsewhere, there is always the possibility that the front runners for this race could not turn up, meaning betting on the race can be tricky. However, to ensure you have the best chance of your horse turning up, look out for one that has a need for 2M4F, look for one that would be weak in the other races, due to lack of stamina or lack of speed. By applying this approach you will be able to back your fancied horse for this race, safe in the knowledge that they are going to run in the race.

JLT Novices’ Chase Tips – Day 3, 13:30

Favourites	Horse	Odds	Best Bookmaker	JLT Novices’ Chase Tips
#1	Willoughby Court	16/1		Read Willoughby Court Preview Here
#2	Death Duty	12/1		Read Death Duty Preview Here

2023 Cheltenham JLT Novices’ Chase Preview

The first thing you need to do is work out which horses you think will run in this race, which you think will go to the Arkle over two miles and which will step up in trip to the RSA Chase over three miles. This is what we are doing in this JLT Novices Chase preview. Once you have done that you will have a clearer picture of what is going to run in this race and what horse to back based on that. A horse that really caught my eye last season was Willoughby Court, he flew up the Cheltenham hill to win the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle at the festival last season. He looks a nice big horse, who will do even better this season over the bigger obstacles, and should go close in what looks to be a tailor made race for him. Elsewhere, Death Duty is a horse I really fancied last season at the festival but he unseated his rider when well beaten. The summer will have done him good and he looks like he will be kept busy this season, he has already won two chases, including a Grade Three which he won by 11 lengths. He disappointed last season, but with a point to prove he is one to keep an eye on this year.  Many other horses come into reckoning for JLT racing, although with their targets up in the air right now, it is impossible to bet on them.

JLT Novices’ Chase Tips – Cheltenham 2023

Willoughby Court, Favourite #1

Favourites	Horse	Odds	Best Bookmaker	Bet Now
#1	Willoughby Court	16/1		Bet Now

Willoughby Court always looked like a horse who would be better when he moved to the big fences and that is what we will see him do this year. His trainer Ben Pauling also agrees and after seeing him win at the Cheltenham Festival last season, the first thing Pauling spoke about was his excitement for the horse when he went over the big fences. He has the ability to move up into a Gold Cup contender in a couple of years, such is the promise this horse has.

He won three out of his four hurdle races last season, losing on debut before winning a maiden hurdle, a Grade Two hurdle and finishing off with a Grade One victory at the Cheltenham Festival. He has already shown his ability, and with the potential for more to come, he remains a hugely exciting prospect for us all to savour this season.  At this moment in time, Willoughby Court looks to be the best bet here. His JLT Novices Chase betting odds are really attractive.  

Death Duty, Favourite #2

Favourites	Horse	Odds	Best Bookmaker	Bet Now
#2	Death Duty	12/1		Bet Now

Death Duty was the banker for many at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, where he was ultimately very disappointing, unseating his rider when jumping the last very tired, but he was already well beaten. This season he has nowhere near as much pressure on his shoulders and chasing has always been where he would be seen at his best.

Death Duty looks set for a busy campaign, having ran already twice over fences, two races he won with ease. The latest victory came in a Grade Three race and with each run he looks to be gaining even more momentum and confidence. We expect to see him continue this, and be thrown into a Grade One sometime around Christmas, and if he continues to win like he has, then he will only go shorter and shorter in the betting for this race. Plus, his JLT Novices Chase odds are great.

JLT Novices’ Chase Betting Odds

Stunning image of horses jumping a fence during the JLT Novices' Chase

Cheltenham JLT Novices’ Chase Winners

This race only has a short history, but already it has been dominated by horses from Ireland. After winning the past three renewals, Willie Mullins has shot to the top of the trainers’ table, he is certainly a trainer to keep an eye on when he puts a horse in this race.

Last 10 winners

Leading Trainers

Leading Jockeys

Cheltenham 2023 JLT Novices’ Chase Race Conditions

The JLT Novices’ Chase is one of the newest races to arrive at the Cheltenham Festival, after many trainers and owners had been asking for a race of this nature. It perfectly looks after novice chasers who are too slow for the arkle, or don’t have the stamina for the RSA. Already we have seen many top quality horses take part in the race and we expect this will continue.

The race is for novice chasers and the age limit on this race is five years and older. This makes the race perfect for young up and coming chasers who need this distance for them to be seen at their best. We will see many good horses win this race, before going on to bigger and better things in the future.

Although young this race has quickly become an important part of the Cheltenham Festival and we expect to continue to see that over the coming years, with plenty of class horses running in the race. Use our JLT Novice Chase trends to start winning!