Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase |
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| Grade 1, Cheltenham 14:00 £200,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 80y, Class 1  |
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1 Lecky Watson 20/1
2 Stellar Story
22/1
3 Better Days Ahead
13/2
7 ran Distances: 4l, hd, 4¼l
Time: 6m 28.96s (slow by 23.96s)
👀 Upset in the Brown Advisory
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 12, 2025
Lecky Watson delivers for Willie Mullins & Sean O'Keeffe 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/IcYnVWJC9N
Well, well, well—Lecky Watson, the unheralded member of Willie Mullins' formidable Cheltenham battalion, emerged from the shadows to claim the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at a juicy 20-1.
In a race where the Mullins camp had seemingly stronger contenders, it was the overlooked chestnut who galloped his way into the spotlight as the more fancied Ballyburn, Quai De Bourbon, and Dancing City failed to fire.
With Sean O’Keeffe keeping things smooth and simple in the saddle, Lecky Watson seized his moment, staying on resolutely to fend off Gordon Elliott’s Stellar Story by four lengths.
Ballyburn, the 4-7 favourite and much-hyped coming into the Festival, never looked comfortable, his fate effectively sealed by a costly jumping error.
Mullins, ever the pragmatist, reflected on the winner’s performance: "He’s been improving all season. We just told Sean to keep him out of trouble, and he did exactly that—an excellent ride. We hadn’t specifically planned for him to be tackling three miles, but he’s always shaped like a stayer, and today he’s proved it."
Even Mullins himself admitted Lecky Watson wasn’t top of his own pecking order: "If I’d ranked our runners beforehand, he’d have been fourth. Dancing City was travelling well before his mistake, and Quai De Bourbon looked to be going great until he unseated. But that’s why they run the races—you never quite know until they go and do it."
Talk of a Gold Cup campaign was quickly thrust upon the trainer, but Mullins played it with a straight bat: "That wasn’t the plan, but we’ll have to think about it now. You can dream all you want at home, but it’s on the track where you find out what they’re really made of. And this fella is improving all the time."
As for Ballyburn, his race was over almost as soon as it began: "He was gone early. He never looked to be travelling, then made that mistake, and that was that. Maybe we’ll drop him back in trip, maybe be a bit more aggressive with him. I just don’t think he enjoyed the way the race panned out today."
For Sean O’Keeffe, this was another special Festival moment, having already tasted Cheltenham success with Galopin Des Champs in the 2021 Martin Pipe.
Mullins was full of praise: "Sean’s in riding work most days, and while he’s not always in the limelight, he gets the job done. He’s very good over a fence and deserves these big days."
Gordon Elliott, meanwhile, took plenty of positives from the performances of his duo, with Stellar Story and Better Days Ahead filling out the places: "I thought Stellar Story might do what he did last year in the Albert Bartlett, and in fairness, both of mine have run crackers. No excuses, the winner was just better on the day. We’ll look at Punchestown for Stellar Story, while Better Days Ahead could be one for the Irish National."
So, another Festival fairytale, another unexpected twist. Lecky Watson, the supposed fourth-stringer, now a Grade 1 winner at Cheltenham. That’s the magic of this place.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
£200,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 80y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good to Soft
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Lecky Watson 7 11-7 W P Mullins Sean O'Keefe 20/1
2 4 Stellar Story 8 11-7 Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan 22/1
3 hd Better Days Ahead 7 11-7 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 13/2
4 4¼ Gorgeous Tom 7 11-7 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 11/1
5 shd Ballyburn 7 11-7 W P Mullins Paul Townend 4/7F
6 19 Dancing City 8 11-7 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 8/1
UR Quai De Bourbon 6 11-7 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 14/1
Previous results
BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES’ CHASE
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2024 Fact To File 7 11-07 W P Mullins Mark Walsh John P McManus 8/13F 6
2023 The Real Whacker 7 11-07 Patrick Neville Sam Twiston-Davies Neville, Mann, Duffus And Dennis 8/1 10
2022 L'Homme Presse 7 11-04 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch DFA Racing (Pink & Edwards) 9/4F
2021 Monkfish 7 11-04 Paul Townend W P Mullins Mrs S Ricci 1/4F
2020 Champ 8 11-04 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson J P McManus 4/1 10
2019 Topofthegame 7-11-04 Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls Chris Giles and Mr & Mrs Paul Barber 4/1 12
2018-WINNER-PRESENTING PERCY 7-11-04 Owner-Philip Reynolds; Trainer-Pat Kelly IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-5/2 Fav
2ND-Monalee 7-11-04 Owner-Barry Maloney; Trainer-Henry de Bromhead IRE; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-100/30
3RD-Elegant Escape 6-11-04 Owner-J P Romans; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Harry Cobden; SP-9/1
10 ran, Time-6m 32.40s Dist-7, 7
2017-WINNER MIGHT BITE 8-11-04 Owner-The Knot Again Partnership; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Nico de Boinville; SP-7/2 Fav
2ND-Whisper 9-11-04 Owner-Walters Plant Hire; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-9/2
3RD-Bellshill 7-11-04 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/1
12 ran, Time-6m 8.80s Dist-ns, 10
2016-WINNER-BLAKLION 7-11-04 Owner-S Such & C G Paletta; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Ryan Hatch; SP-8/1 2ND-Shaneshill 7-11-04 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-16/1 3RD-More Of That 8-11-04 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-6/4 Fav 8 ran, Time-6m 6.20s Dist-1⁄2, 8
2015-WINNER-DON POLI 6-11-04 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-13/8 Fav
2ND-Southfield Theatre 7-11-04 Owner-Angela Yeoman; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-13/2
3RD-Wounded Warrior 6-11-04 Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-12/1
8 ran, Time-6m 9.20s Dist-6, 1½
2014-O'FAOLAINS BOY 7-11-04 Owner-Trembath, Hyde, Outhart & Hill; Trainer-Rebecca Curtis; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP- 12/1
2ND-Smad Place 7-11-04 Owner-Mrs Peter Andrews; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-13/2 Jt-Fav
3RD-Morning Assembly 7-11-04 Owner-Clipper Logistics Group Ltd; Trainer-Pat Fahy IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-9/1
15 ran, Time-6m 0.32s(record) Dist-nk, 6 13/2 Jt-Fav Ballycasey (4th)
2013-WINNER-LORD WINDERMERE 7-11-04 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer-Jim Culloty IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-8/1
2ND-Lyreen Legend 6-11-04 Owner-Lyreen Syndicate; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-10/1
3RD-Hadrian’s Approach 6-11-04 Owner-Richard & Lizzie Kelvin Hughes; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
11 ran, Time-6m 25.80s Dist-1¾, 6 5/2 Fav Unioniste (4th)
2012-WINNER-BOBS WORTH 7-11-04 Owner-The Not Afraid Partnership; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/2
2ND-First Lieutenant 7-11-04 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-9/2
3RD-Call The Police 9-11-04 Owner-DD Racing Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-20/1
9 ran, Time-6m 8.00s Dist-2½, 11 6/5 Fav Grands Crus (4th)
2011-WINNER-BOSTONS ANGEL 7-11-04 Owner-Elder Scouller; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Robert Power; SP-16/1 2ND-Jessies Dream 8-11-04 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-10/1 3RD-Wayward Prince 7-11-04 Owner-John & Hilary Parrott; Trainer-Ian Williams; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-15/2
12 ran, Time-6m 16.55s Dist-nk, 3⁄4 7/4 Fav Time For Rupert (5th)
2010-WINNER-WEAPON’S AMNESTY 7-11-04 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Charles Byrnes IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-10/1 2ND-Burton Port 6-11-04 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-9/1 3RD-Long Run 5-11-03 Owner-Robert Waley-Cohen; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mr Sam Waley-Cohen; SP-11/4 9 ran, Time-6m 13.50s Dist-7, sh 2/1 Fav Punchestowns (5th)
2009-WINNER-COOLDINE 7-11-04 Owner-Violet O’Leary; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-9/4 Fav
2ND-Horner Woods 7-11-04 Owner-Howard Spooner; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Robert Power; SP-66/1
3RD-Massini’s Maguire 8-11-04 Owner-Alan Paterson; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-10/1
15 ran, Time-6m 22.80s. Dist-16, 9
2008-WINNER-ALBERTAS RUN 7-11-04 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-4/1 Fav
2ND-Roll Along 8-11-04 Owner-Bryan & Philippa Burrough; Trainer-Carl Llewellyn; Jockey-Timmy Murphy’ SP-20/1
3RD-Battlecry 7-11-04 Owner-Hamsard Ltd; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-25/1
11 ran, Time-6m 23.5s Dist-4½, 3½
2007-WINNER-DENMAN 7-11-04 Owner-Maggie Findlay & Paul
Barber; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/5 Fav
2ND-Snowy Morning 7-11-04 Owner-Quayside Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins
IRE; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-10/1
3RD-According To John 7-11-04 Owner-Sir Robert Ogden; Trainer-Nicky Richards;
Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-66/1 17 ran, Time-6m 6.80s Dist-10, 3½
2006-WINNER-STAR
DE MOHAISON 5-10-08 Owner-Sir Robert Ogden; Trainer-Paul
Nicholls; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-14/1
2ND-Idle Talk 7-11-04 Owner-Mrs M J George; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Jason
Maguire; SP-33/1
3RD-Darkness 7-11-04 Owner-Lady Lloyd-Webber; Trainer-Charles Egerton;
Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-11/2
15 ran, Time-6m 9.20s Dist-6, 11 9/2 Fav Commercial Flyer (PU)
2005-WINNER-TRABOLGAN 7-11-04 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson;
Jockey-Mick FitzGerald;SP- 5/1
2ND-Comply Or Die 6-11-04 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Timmy
Murphy; SP-3/1 Fav
3RD-Cornish Rebel 8-11-04 Owner-Graham Roach; Trainer-Paul Nicholls;
Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-9/2
9 ran, Time-6m 12.85s Dist-3, 3
2004-WINNER-RULE SUPREME 8-11-04 Owner-John Lynch; Trainer-Willie Mullins
IRE; Jockey-David Casey; SP-25/1
2ND-Royal Emperor 8-11-04 Owner-Widdop Wanderers; Trainer-Sue Smith;
Jockey-Dominic Elsworth; SP-6/1
3RD-Our Vic 6-11-04 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony
McCoy; SP-11/8 Fav
10 ran, Time-6m 9.70s Dist-1½, 2
2003-WINNER-ONE KNIGHT 7-11-04 Owner-Robert Gibbs; Trainer-Philips Hobbs;
Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-15/2
2ND-Jair Du Cochet 6-11-04 Owner-Miriam Montauban; Trainer-Guillaume
Macaire FR; Jockey-Jacques Ricou; SP-4/1
3RD-Barrow Drive 7-11-04 Owner-Mrs B Leniham; Trainer-Tony Mullins IRE;
Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/1 9 ran, Time-6m 14.90s Dist- 1¾,
10 9/4 Fav Keen Leader (5th)
2002-WINNER-HUSSARD COLLONGES 7-11-04 Owner-Nick Bannister; Trainer-Peter
Beaumont; Jockey-Russ Garritty; SP-33/1
2ND-Iznogoud 6-11-04 Owner-County Stores-Avalon Surfacing; Trainer-Martin
Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-14/1
3RD-Chives 7-11-04 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Richard
Guest; SP-33/1
19 ran, Time-6m 35.65s Dist- 2, 4 9/2 Fav Colonel Braxton (5th)
2001-Cancelled
2000-WINNER-LORD NOELIE 7-11-04 Owner-Executive Racing; Trainer-Henrietta
Knight; Jockey-Jim Culloty; SP-9/2
2ND-Alexander Banquet 7-11-04 Owner-Miriam O’Callaghan; Trainer-Willie
Mullins; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-9/2
3RD-Toto Toscato 6-11-04 Owner-Hilda Clarke; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Richard
Johnson; SP-11/1
9 ran Time-6m 5.3s Dist-1¼, hd 7/2 Fav-Native Upmanship (4th)
1999-WINNER-LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE 7-11-04 Owner-Universal
Conference & Incentive
Trv Ltd; Trainer-Noel Chance; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-16/1
2ND-Lord Of The River 7-11-04 Owner-Brian Stewart-Brown; Trainer-Oliver
Sherwood; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/2
3RD-Billingsgate 7-11-04 Owner-Dr David and Mrs B Chesney; Trainer-David
Elsworth; Jockey-Paul Holley;
SP-25/1 14 ran Time-6m 21.5s Dist-dist, 3 5/4 Fav-Nick Dundee (fell)
1998-WINNER-FLORIDA PEARL 6-11-04 Owner-Violet
O’Leary; Trainer-Willie
Mullins IRE; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Escartefigue 6-11-04 Owner-Darren Mercer; Trainer-David Nicholson;
Jockey-Adrian Maguire; SP-5/1
3RD-Fulip 5-10-08 Owner-Roger Barby; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Mr
Thierry Doumen; SP-9/1
10 ran Time-6m 8.3s Dist-1½, 19
1997-WINNER-HANAKHAM 8-11-04 Owner-Malcolm Brereton; Trainer-Ron Hodges;
Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-13/2
2ND-Eudipe 5-10-08 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony
McCoy; SP-4/1
3RD-Djeddah 6-11-04 Owner-Stella Elkaim; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR;
Jockey-Adam Kondrat; SP-100/30 Fav 14 ran Time-6m 8.8s, Dist-2½,
5
BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES’ CHASE ROLL OF HONOUR
(RSA Chase from 2009, Royal & SunAlliance Chase 1998-2008, Royal Sun Alliance Chase 1997, Sun Alliance Chase 1974-96, Totalisator Champion Chase 1971-73, Totalisator Champion Novices’ Chase 1964-1970, Broadway Chase 1961-63, Broadway Novices’ Chase before 1961)
Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
1996 Nahthen Lad 7-11-04 Warren Marston Jenny Pitman Jim Shaw 7/1 12
1995 Brief Gale 8-10-13 Philip Hide Josh Gifford Carrie Zetter 13/2 13
1994 Monsieur Le Cure 8-11-04 Peter Niven John Edwards Hector Brown 15/2
18
1993 Young Hustler 6-11-04 Peter Scudamore Nigel Twiston-Davies Gavin
MacEchern 9/4 8
1992 Miinnehoma 9-11-04 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Freddie Starr 7/2F
18
1991 Rolling Ball 8-11-04 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe Hilda Clarke 7/2F
20
1990 Garrison Savannah 7-11-04 Ben de Haan Jenny Pitman Autofour Engineering
12/1 9
1989 Envopak Token 8-11-04 Peter Hobbs Josh Gifford Frank Arthur 16/1
15
1988 The West Awake 7-11-04 Simon Sherwood Oliver Sherwood Maggie Heath
11/4F 14
1987 Kildimo 7-11-04 Graham Bradley Toby Balding Lady Harris 13/2 18
1986 Cross Master 9-11-04 Reg Crank Tom Bill Harlow Bros 16/1 30
1985 Antarctic Bay 8-11-04 Frank Berry Pat Hughes IRE P Meade 6/4F 11
1984 A Kinsman 8-11-04 Geordie Dun John Brockbank Mrs John Brockbank
10/1 18
1983 Canny Danny 7-11-04 Niall Madden Jimmy FitzGerald P Norton 33/1
14
1982 Brown Chamberlin 7-11-04 John Francome Fred Winter Mrs Coral Samuel
7/1 15
1981 Lesley Ann 7-11-04 Colin Brown David Elsworth Brian Gaule 25/1 17
1980 Lacson 8-11-04 Steve Knight Bob Hawker Bob Hawker 16/1 17
1979 Master Smudge 7-11-04 Richard Hoare Arthur Barrow Arthur Barrow
16/1 17
1978 Sweet Joe 6-11-04 Steve Smith Eccles Tom Jones Milton Ritzenberg
12/1 17
1977 Gay Spartan 6-11-04 Michael Dickinson Tony Dickinson M Armstrong
13/2 15
1976 Tied Cottage 8-11-00 Tommy Carberry Dan Moore IRE Anthony Stanley
Robinson 12/1 15
1975 Pengrail 7-11-00 John Francome Fred Winter Mrs G Morton 12/1 11
1974 Ten Up 7-11-00 Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper IRE Anne, Duchess of Westminster
7/2 12
1973 Killiney 7-11-03 Richard Pitman Fred Winter Enid Boucher 8/15F 9
1972 Clever Scot 7-11-07 David Mould Tom Jones Milton Ritzenberg 11/1
18
1971 Tantalum 7-11-07 David Nicholson Michael Pope Colonel S W Green
14/1 16
1970 Proud Tarquin 7-11-12 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE John Thomson 100/7
17
1969 Spanish Steps 6-11-12 John Cook Edward Courage Edward Courage 100/8
22
1968 Herring Gull 6-11-12 Joe Crowley Paddy Mullins IRE Mrs G A J Wilson
9/1 16
1967 Border Jet 7-11-00 Josh Gifford Ryan Price Lady Weir 4/1F 19
1966 Different Class 6-11-12 David Mould Peter Cazalet Gregory Peck 10/1
17
1965 Arkloin 6-11-07 Liam McLoughlin Tom Dreaper IRE George Ansley 100/7
17
1964 Buona notte 7-12-04 Johnnie Haine Bob Turnell Jim Joel 11/8F 16
1963 Arkle 6-12-04 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper IRE Duchess Of Westminster
4/9F 15
1962 Caduval 7-11-08 Laurie Morgan Bogden Lubecki Bogden Lubecki 11/2
13
1961 Grallagh Cnoc 7-12-01 Pat Taaffe Joe Osborne IRE Mrs K Harper 8/13F
17
1960 Solfen 8-11-12 Pat Taaffe Willie O’Grady IRE B Naughton 5/4F
21
1959 Mac Joy 7-11-12 Arthur Freeman Ken Bailey W C Simpson 4/1 11
1958 Just Awake 6-11-08 Arthur Freeman Peter Cazalet Bill Whitbread 100/7
19
1957 Mandarin 6-12-01 Michael Scudamore Fulke Walwyn Peggy Hennessy 8/1
14
1956 Polar Flight 6-11-08 Tommy Cusack George Spann Mrs P Pleydell-Bouverie
100/7 19
1955 Great Eliza 7-11-13 B Cooper Danny Morgan IRE Mrs N Hope Collins
7/2F 23
1954 Glenbeigh 8-11-13 Dave Dick Fulke Walwyn Dorothy Paget EvsF 16
1953 Coneyburrow 7-11-03 Pat Taaffe Joe Osborne IRE I E Levy 100/8 13
1952 Good And Plenty 8-11-08 Jimmy Power Jack Fawcus Lady Joicey 8/1
18
1951 On View 8-11-13 Bryan Marshall Fulke Walwyn Dorothy Paget 8/1 23
1950 (I) Manicou 5-11-06 Lord Mildmay Peter Cazalet Lord Mildmay 2/1F
9
1950 (II) Arctic Gold 5-10-13 Glen Kelly Gerald Balding John Hay Whitney
100/30 9
1949 (I) Glen Fire 6-11-02 Mr J Spencer Syd Mercer J G Greenaway 100/8
19
1949 (II) Comeragh 8-11-02 D Kelly Major Noel Furlong Major Noel Furlong
10/1 10
1948 (I) Blakely Grove 7-11-04 Joe Maguire Ivor Anthony Paul Mellon 5/4F
17
1948 (II) Mountain Prince 9-11-04 Bryan Marshall Fulke Walwyn Dorothy
Paget 100/8 15
1947 No race (snow and frost)
1946 Birthlaw 11-11-07 Ted Vinall Tommy Rayson Mrs V Bruce 20/1 16
