Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase |
||
| Cheltenham 14:00 Grade 2, £125,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 4f 127y, Class 1 |
||
|
||
The Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase is a new addition to the Cheltenham Festival, set to debut in 2025. This race replaces the former Grade 1 Turners (Golden Miller) Novices' Chase, maintaining the same distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs.
The introduction of this race marks the return of a novice handicap chase to the Festival, a format last seen with the Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase, which ran from 2005 to 2020.
The decision to replace the Turners Novices' Chase with a handicap aims to encourage top novice chasers to pursue graded races, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and quality of both graded and handicap events at the Festival.
This change is part of a broader set of modifications announced by The Jockey Club to the Cheltenham Festival's race program, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve the event's structure and appeal.
Jagwar booked his place at the Cheltenham Festival with a strong-staying success at Prestbury Park, leading home a one-two for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero in the opening novices’ handicap chase on Festival Trials Day.
It's a 1-2 for @G_G_Racing as Jagwar leads home Billytherealbigred in the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase at @CheltenhamRaces 👏
— Timeform (@Timeform) January 25, 2025
And it's a 1-2-3 for the Timeform ratings 📊pic.twitter.com/4IjUqhBBEG https://t.co/0ge0Iu5GVI
The JP McManus-owned gelding, now three from four over fences, stalked his front-running stablemate Billytherealbigred before asserting after the last, showcasing a finishing kick that bodes well for bigger assignments to come.
Jagwar is now firmly on course for the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase on day three of the Festival, while connections may look elsewhere for Billy, given his age-related allowance.
“It was a shame one had to be beaten, and we never really expected them to finish first and second, but there you go,” said Guerriero. “Jagwar will head straight to the Festival—he’s always had ability, and it’s just taken time. His jumping is improving, he looks more professional, and hopefully, we’ll start to see the best of him now.”
As for Billy, softer conditions may dictate his next move. “He handles really deep ground, so if we can find the right race in testing conditions, he’ll take some stopping,” added Guerriero. “It’ll be a case of pot hunting and keeping an eye on entries.”
