Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase 2023 Betting Tips, Odds & Race Preview
The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase is always a race that throws up a dark horse that looks extremely well handicapped. Many of the big stables target this race because it is a chance for their novice chasers who have slightly disappointed to redeem themselves. Those who are top class will head into one of the graded novice races, while the rest compete here, and if you are well handicapped then you will have a great chance of winning. Let's check our Novices Handicap Chase tips.
Looking back at those that have won this race recently, many of them have gone on to be rated much better than when they won the race, showing this race is a stepping stone for the future. When we find out the field, many horses will look well handicapped to you, but it is only the top quality well handicapped horses that will have a chance, such is the competitive nature of this race.
Novices’ Handicap Chase Tips – Day 1, 17:30
| Favourites | Horse | Odds | Best Bookmaker | Mares’ Hurdle Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sutton Place | 20/1 |  |
Read Sutton Place Preview Here |
| #2 | Ballyoptic | 20/1 |  |
Read Ballyoptic Preview Here |
2023 Novices’ Handicap Chase Preview
Tully East won the race last season after a brilliant ride from Denis O’Regan to produce the horse right when it mattered. He won the race off a handicap mark of 138 last year, and is now rated in the mid-140s, something we expect will rise even further when he returns to action over fences this winter. Like many before him, we think he will continue to improve and make his handicap mark from last year’s festival look very lenient.
Going further back, in 2015 Irish Cavalier won this race after being handed a low handicap mark. He won the race off 137 and is now rated in the 150s, showing both improvement and how well handicapped he was that day. It will take a similarly well handicapped horse to win the 2023 race, and when the field comes out everyone will be looking to see who looks the best bet. Up until a victory for Ireland last year, British trainers had won this race eight times in a row and they hold a clear advantage on the stats for this race, as Novices Handicap Chase odds suggest.
Novices’ Handicap Chase Betting Tips – Cheltenham 2023
Favourite #1
| Favourites | Horse | Odds | Best Bookmaker | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sutton Place | 20/1 | |
Bet Now |
Favourite #2
| Favourites | Horse | Odds | Best Bookmaker | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #2 | Ballyoptic | 20/1 | |
Bet Now |
Novices’ Handicap Chase Betting Odds
Odds will appear here…
Cheltenham Novices’ Handicap Chase Winners
Despite winning the Novices Handicap Chase Cheltenham last season, Ireland have just two wins in this race to their name, elsewhere it has been all about the British trainers. No one has really dominated the race though, and in the last ten years we have seen ten different trainers win the race.
Last 10 winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Mister Whitaker | B S Hughes | M R Channon |
| 2017 | Tully East | D.O’Regan | A.Fleming |
| 2016 | Ballyalton | B.Hughes | I.Williams |
| 2015 | Irish Cavalier | P.Townend | R.Curtis |
| 2014 | Present View | B.Powell | J.Snowden |
| 2013 | Rajdhani Express | S.Waley-Cohen | N.Henderson |
| 2012 | Hunt Ball | N.Schofield | K.Burke |
| 2011 | Divers | G.Lee | F.Murphy |
| 2010 | Copper Bleu | R.Johnson | R.Johnson |
| 2009 | Chapoturgeon | T.Murphy | P.Nicholls |
Leading Trainers
| Wins | Trainer | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | M R Channon | 2018 |
| 1 | A.Fleming | 2017 |
| 1 | I.Williams | 2016 |
| 1 | R.Curtis | 2015 |
| 1 | J.Snowden | 2014 |
| 1 | N.Henderson | 2013 |
| 1 | K.Burke | 2012 |
| 1 | F.Murphy | 2011 |
| 1 | R.Johnson | 2010 |
| 1 | P.Nicholls | 2009 |
| Wins | Jockey | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B S Hughes | 2018 |
| 1 | D.O’Regan | 2017 |
| 1 | B.Hughes | 2016 |
| 1 | P.Townend | 2015 |
| 1 | B.Powell | 2014 |
| 1 | S.Waley-Cohen | 2013 |
| 1 | N.Schofield | 2012 |
| 1 | G.Lee | 2011 |
| 1 | R.Johnson | 2010 |
| 1 | T.Murphy | 2009 |
Cheltenham 2023 Novices’ Handicap Chase Race Conditions
The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase is a very difficult handicap to win, requiring a novice that is talented, but also well handicapped. The race doesn’t have many stats to go on, other than the Irish trainers have won just two renewals of the last ten. Elsewhere, no trainer or jockey has won the race more than once.
The race is ran over a distance of two miles, four and a half furlongs, and it is open to horses who are aged five or older. The race is a chase race, confined to novice horses only, which usually means there are a lot of unexposed horses in the field. Novices Handicap Chase betting doesn't have to be tough, start today with our help!
| Location | Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham England |
| Race Type | Handicap chase |
| Distance | Two miles and four and a half furlongs (2M4 ½ F) |
| Age | Five year and older |
| Surface | Turf |