Horse Racing stats man, Andy has contributed to OLBG for 18 years - An Ipswich fan and F1 fanatic, he also contributes EFL football and Motor Sport opinion.
2025 Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Preview
Scheduled to take place in January of each year at the Cheltenham Racecourse during Festival Trials Day is this Novices Handicap Chase, a Class Two that is open to runners who are aged five or older and is contested over a distance of two miles, four and a half furlongs.
Elevate your Timeform Novices Handicap Chase betting game using our thorough examination of historical race trends and trainer stats, then capitalize on the Cheltenham betting offers.
Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Information:
- Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Past Winners
- Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Trainer Statistics
- Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Jockey Statistics
To see which runners the OLBG racing tipsters are tipping throughout the card that includes this race, head over to the Cheltenham tips on the day of the race, do they agree with the runners on the trend shortlist or are they predicting other runners? You may also be interested in other preview blogs that we have packed full of information, head down to the Schedule for the Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham section for links to these.
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How competitive is the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2005 when the race had an over-round of 108%. The race in 2012 was a race that was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 121%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase, the over-round has been 116%, which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £116 which is bet.
Below you will find the 2025 Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Trends, see which patterns have occurred over the recent renewals that you may be able to use for the next renewal, we also have a section that looks at the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Trend Analysis. With the field now finalised, we have the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Trend Shortlist which is created using the listed trends.
These are the top three quickest-run Timeform Novices Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals:
- Stage Star (5:15.10) in 2023
- Imperial Alcazar (5:16.55) in 2022
- Kildisart (5:17.30) in 2019
Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 20 if you had followed the winner of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase next time out then you would have backed a total of 6 winners. Backing all 20 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of +11.33. Whilst we wait for the 2025 Timeform Novices Handicap Chase remember you can get daily racing predictions from the expert tipsters on the racing predictions page.
The runner that holds the record over the past 20 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2009 renewal when Ping Pong Sivola from Venetia Williams under the guidance of Aidan Coleman, won in a time of 5:46.34, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Stage Star, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden set the quickest time of 5:15.10 in the 2023 renewal.
What the expert says...
Andy Powell - Horse Racing Betting Expert - OLBG.com
Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Past Winners
Here are the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase past winners for the last 10 renewals. Each row details the year of the race, the horse which won along with the age & weight of the horse. The horse's trainer and the jockey at the time of winning the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase are also displayed, along with the starting price at which the horse was sent off.
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 5:20.34 | Ginnys Destiny (IRE) 8yo 12-0 4/1F | Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls (GB) |
| 2023 5:15.10 | Stage Star (IRE) 7yo 12-0 11/4F | Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls (GB) |
| 2022 5:16.55 | Imperial Alcazar (IRE) 8yo 11-12 9/1 | Paddy Brennan Fergal O'Brien (GB) |
| 2020 5:35.20 | Simply The Betts (IRE) 7yo 11-5 11/2 | Gavin Sheehan Harry Whittington (GB) |
| 2019 5:17.30 | Kildisart (IRE) 7yo 11-7 9/2 | Daryl Jacob Ben Pauling (GB) |
| 2018 5:28.60 | Mister Whitaker (IRE) 6yo 10-8 6/1 | A P Heskin Mick Channon (GB) |
| 2017 5:28.30 | Royal Vacation (IRE) 7yo 11-9 12/1 | Paddy Brennan Colin Tizzard (GB) |
| 2016 5:39.10 | Kings Odyssey (IRE) 7yo 10-13 8/1 | Leighton Aspell Evan Williams (GB) |
| 2015 5:24.70 | Generous Ransom (IRE) 7yo 10-11 6/1 | Daryl Jacob Nick Gifford (GB) |
| 2014 5:34.70 | Indian Castle (IRE) 6yo 11-3 14/1 | Jason Maguire Donald McCain (GB) |
Where have the winning runners come from?
Here are the countries where the winning trainers of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase have been based:
- GB: 20 winners with an additional 36 placings from 199 runners
- FR: 0 winners with an additional 2 placings from 5 runners
- IRE: 0 winners with an additional 0 placings from 4 runners
Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Trainer Statistics
There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase, Nigel Twiston-Davies has sent a total of 13 runners to the race without recording any wins.
Here are the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase trainer statistics over the last 20 renewals for trainers who have entries in the 2025 renewal, those not listed have not had a runner. (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Trainer | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alan King | 4-1-2 | +3.50 | +2.31 |
| Fergal O'Brien | 3-1-1 | +7.00 | +3.40 |
| Nigel Twiston-Davies | 13-0-1 | -13.00 | -12.00 |
| Lucinda Russell | 3-0-0 | -3.00 | -3.00 |
Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Jockey Statistics
Here are the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase jockey statistics over the last 20 renewals for jockeys who have entries in the 2025 renewal, those not listed have not had a runner. (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Jockey | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Twiston-Davies | 6-0-0 | -6.00 | -6.00 |
| Richie McLernon | 4-0-0 | -4.00 | -4.00 |
| Jonathan Burke | 2-0-1 | -2.00 | -0.80 |
| Tom Cannon | 1-0-1 | -1.00 | +0.30 |
| Jonjo O'Neill Jr | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
| Sean Bowen | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
2025 Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): F, F, 3, 3, 5, 1, 5, 7, F, 6, PU, 7, 4, (6, BD), (3, PU), 3, 2, (5, PU), 1, 1
The percentage shown is the percentage of the total number of runners who fell under that factor. High percentages are less appealing than lower ones as you would expect them to do well.
- 20 / 20 (81%) - Ran over 1m - 2m1f (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (82%) - Not in a G2/LST/Cl2-3 (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (83%) - Not on HY/GF (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (86%) - Had 4 - 13 placings (Career)
- 20 / 20 (87%) - Not in SCO/WAL (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Fewer than 6 placings (Hcps)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Furthest Placed 2m3f - 3m1½f
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Ran in 2 - 6 races (Season)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Not in a G2-3/LST/Cl5 (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Beaten no more -23l (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Ran over 2m1f - 3m1½f (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Beaten no more -22l (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Within the first 10 of the market
- 19 / 20 (75%) - Won within last 4 starts
- 19 / 20 (80%) - No more than +2yrs (Vs Min Age)
Remember to use the trends listed above along with the Cheltenham racing predictions to see if you can find the winner of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase. Did you know that we have an OLBG Betting School section on OLBG? It is a place to help you improve your betting experience with articles covering numerous topics.
Are you already a member? If not, then why not? With over £6,000 given away each month in the tipster competition, why not get involved? Remember, It is completely FREE! So, head over to the registration page to sign up today! If you are already a member, then share your thoughts on the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase by adding a tip on the race here.
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Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Trend Analysis
✅ The trend factor which had produced 10+ winners and shows the best LSP, an LSP of +51.00 is when runners finished in 2nd on debut.
❌ The worst performing factor that has failed to produce a single winner is when runners had 1 career place with the jockey, when backing these the trend shows a record of 0-36.
The course which has produced the most winners of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase is Kempton, there has been a total number of 7 winners of this race who ran at Kempton last time out. The next best course which has produced the second most winners is Cheltenham, there has been a total number of 4 winners of this race who ran at Cheltenham last time out.
The race is open to both sexes with the Male runners having produced a total of 18 winners from a total of 197 runners whilst the Female runners have produced 2 winners from a total of 11 runners.
Looking over the past renewals, there is only one stallion whose offspring have produced multiple winners of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase, that stallion Kings Theatre has produced 2 winners (2017,2016).
These are the stallions whose offspring have not produced a winner of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase despite multiple attempts:
- Presenting (0 Wins from 8 runners)
- Milan (0 Wins from 7 runners)
- Flemensfirth (0 Wins from 6 runners)
- Kayf Tara (0 Wins from 5 runners)
Looking at the winning odds over the last 20 renewals, the biggest-priced winner was Vino Griego in 2013, winning for Gary Moore at odds of 25/1 under the guidance of Jamie Moore. Looking at the runners at the head of the market over the last 20 renewals there have been 3 winning favourites in the race. Remember to use the best racing tipsters along with the information on this page to find you a bet on the 2025 Timeform Novices Handicap Chase.
Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Trend Shortlist
Cheltenham will host the 2025 renewal of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase which will be run at 12:40 pm on Saturday 25th January 2025 and these are the runners who perform best based on the trends along with the trainer and jockey and their record in the race (Runs-Wins-Places Win LSP / EW LSP):
- 15/15 Billytherealbigred (8/1)
- Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero (0-0-0 0.00 / 0.00)
- Henry Brooke (0-0-0 0.00 / 0.00)
Others: Masaccio (14/15), Resplendent Grey (14/15), Whistle Stop Tour (14/15), Guard Your Dreams (13/15), Walking On Air (12/15), Jagwar (12/15) and Ryans Rocket (12/15).
*Trainer & Jockey numbers are Runs-Wins-Places Win LSP / EW LSP, Runners, Odds and Trends Passed/Failed correct at the time of posting (11:52 am Thursday 23rd January 2025), if no odds were available at the time of posting then forecasted odds are used.
Schedule for the Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham
Here is the schedule for the Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham, each race will be linked to the race blog and detail last year's winner in the table below.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham Trophy Handicap Chase | Ga Law (FR) 8yo - 8/1 | Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan |
| Classic Novices Hurdle | Gidleigh Park (GB) 6yo - 5/6 | Harry Fry Jonathan Burke |
| Cleeve Hurdle | Noble Yeats (IRE) 9yo - 3/1 | Emmet Mullins Harry Cobden |
| Cotswold Chase | Capodanno (FR) 8yo - 7/2 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| International Hurdle | Lossiemouth (FR) 5yo - 4/7 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| JCB Triumph Juvenile Hurdle Trial | Sir Gino (FR) 4yo - 5/4 | Nicky Henderson James Bowen |
| Timeform Novices Handicap Chase | Ginnys Destiny (IRE) 8yo - 4/1 | Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden |
Article Contributor Information
We are blessed with an excellent team of specialists and experts at OLBG. Contributing to creating and maintaining this Timeform Novices Handicap Chase Preview are at hand, Andy and Darren. They both work on the Horse racing tips team team looking after the tipsters and managing the tips settlement, whilst also creating and managing all of the horse racing event previews for National Hunt Racing.
Darren Brett
Tipster Competition Manager
Andy Powell
Content Editor
