You know how punters get lost in too much data or bet blindly? I break down the stats and trends so you can feel confident you’re betting with more than just gut instinct.
2026 Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Preview
In 2025, it was announced that the Golden Miller Novices' Chase would be discontinued and it would be replaced by a Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, with the race losing its Grade 1 status and becoming a Grade 2 run over the same distance of two and a half miles. By making this race a Grade 2 Limited Handicap, the BHA are hoping to encourage the "superstars" to go for the Arkle or the Brown Advisory, while creating a highly competitive, big-field spectacle for those just below that elite level.
For sponsorship purposes, the 2026 renewal of the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase will hold the title of 'Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase'.
Unlock the secrets of the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase with our in-depth analysis of past race trends and trainer stats, then explore the Cheltenham free bets to maximise your betting experience.
Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Information:
- Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Past Winners
- Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Trainer Statistics
- Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Jockey Statistics
We also have a dedicated Cheltenham tips page that will cover this race as well as all of the other races on the day of the race. See which runners the OLBG racing tipsters are predicting to win this race and the others on the cards. We cover every race at the Cheltenham Festival, and below you can find links to all of the races for each of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites 2026
How competitive is the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 1 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2025, when the race had an over-round of 132%. The race in 2025 was a race that was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 132%, whilst on average over the last 1 renewals of the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, the over-round has been 132%, which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £132 which is bet.
Below you will find the 2026 Novices' Limited 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 Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Trend Analysis. With the field now finalised, we have the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Trend Shortlist, which is created using the listed trends.
These are the top three quickest-run Novices' Limited Handicap Chase races over the last 1 renewals:
- Caldwell Potter (5:14.15) in 2025
Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? Over the past 1 renewals, if you had followed the winner of the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase next time out, then you would have backed a total of 1 winner. Backing all 1 runners who have been out since their win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of +2.75. Whilst we wait for the 2026 Novices' Limited 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 1 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2025 renewal when Caldwell Potter from Paul Nicholls under the guidance of Harry Cobden, won in a time of 5:14.15, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Caldwell Potter, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden set the quickest time of 5:14.15 in the 2025 renewal.
Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Past Winners
Here are the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase past winners for the last 1 renewals. Each row details the year of the race, the horse that won, and the horse's age & weight. The horse's trainer and the jockey at the time of winning the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase are also displayed, along with the starting price at which the horse was sent off.
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 5:14.15 | Caldwell Potter (FR) 7yo 11-4 7/1 | Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls (GB) |
Where have the winning runners come from?
Here are the countries where the winning trainers of the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase have been based:
- GB: 1 winner with an additional 0 placings from 7 runners
- IRE: 0 winners with an additional 3 placings from 12 runners
2025 Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Replay
Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Trainer Statistics
Here are the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase trainer statistics over the last 1 renewals for trainers who have entries in the 2026 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Nicholls | 2-1-1 | +6.00 | +3.38 |
| W P Mullins | 3-0-1 | -3.00 | +5.75 |
| Gordon Elliott | 3-0-0 | -3.00 | -3.00 |
| Ben Pauling | 2-0-0 | -2.00 | -2.00 |
| John C McConnell | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
| Joe Tizzard | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Jockey Statistics
Here are the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase jockey statistics over the last 1 renewals for jockeys who have rides in the 2026 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Cobden (Regents Stroll) | 1-1-1 | +7.00 | +4.38 |
| Darragh O'Keeffe (Slade Steel) | 1-0-1 | -1.00 | +15.13 |
| Sean O'Keeffe (Wheres My Jet) | 1-0-1 | -1.00 | +7.75 |
| J J Slevin (Kiss Will) | 1-0-1 | -1.00 | +0.63 |
| Brendan Powell (Western Knight) | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
| Tom Bellamy (Moon Rocket) | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
| John Shinnick (Dr Eggman) | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
| Jack Kennedy (Wingmen) | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
| Ben Jones (Meetmebythesea) | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
| Jonathan Burke (Stencil) | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
| Sean Bowen (The Bluesman) | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
2026 Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 6
Due to there only being one previous renewal, there are no trends for this race.
Remember to use the trends listed above, along with the Cheltenham racing predictions, to see if you can find the winner of the Novices' Limited 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 Novices' Limited Handicap Chase by adding a tip on the race here.
101 Ways to find Winners in Horse Racing
Route to the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
Many trainers target races as preparation for the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase. These are the races which the recent winners ran in before coming here:
| Info | Last Race |
|---|---|
| 2025 - Caldwell Potter Windsor - 2nd of 4 (4/6) | Fitzdares Lightning Novices Chase |
Schedule for Tuesday at the Cheltenham Festival
Prepare for the ROAR of the Cheltenham Festival on the opening day, when the tape goes up for the Supreme Novices Hurdle. The feature on Tuesday is the Champion Hurdle.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Supreme Novices Hurdle | Kopek Des Bordes (FR) 5yo - 4/6 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 14:00 Cheltenham Arkle Challenge Trophy | Jango Baie (FR) 6yo - 5/1 | Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Puturhandstogether (IRE) 4yo - 17/2 | Joseph Patrick O'Brien Mark Walsh |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Ultima Handicap Chase | Myretown (IRE) 8yo - 13/2 | Lucinda Russell Patrick Wadge |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle | Golden Ace (GB) 7yo - 25/1 | Jeremy Scott Lorcan Williams |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Festival Plate | Jagwar (FR) 6yo - 3/1 | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jonjo O'Neill Jr |
| 17:20 Cheltenham National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup | Haiti Couleurs (FR) 8yo - 7/2 | Rebecca Curtis Ben Jones |
Schedule for Wednesday at the Cheltenham Festival
The dust has settled on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, and now on to day two. The feature on the second day is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. We also have the cross country scheduled on Wednesday, a race like Marmite, some love it, and some don't!
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Turners Novices Hurdle | The New Lion (GB) 6yo - 3/1 | Dan Skelton Harry Skelton |
| 14:00 Cheltenham Brown Advisory Novices Chase | Lecky Watson (IRE) 7yo - 20/1 | W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe |
| 14:40 Cheltenham BetMGM Cup | Jimmy Du Seuil (FR) 6yo - 16/1 | W P Mullins Danny Mullins |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Cross Country Chase | Stumptown (IRE) 8yo - 5/2 | Gavin Cromwell Keith Donoghue |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Queen Mother Champion Chase | Marine Nationale (IRE) 8yo - 5/1 | Barry Connell Sean Flanagan |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Johnny Henderson Grand Annual | Jazzy Matty (FR) 6yo - 15/2 | Cian Collins Danny Gilligan |
| 17:20 Cheltenham Champion Bumper | Bambino Fever (IRE) 5yo - 4/1 | W P Mullins Miss J Townend |
Schedule for Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival
Halfway through the festival and onto day three, where the Stayers Hurdle is the feature race. A hurdle race to test the stamina and see how can last up the Cheltenham hill.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Mares Novices Hurdle | Air Of Entitlement (IRE) 6yo - 16/1 | Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore |
| 14:00 Cheltenham Novices Limited Handicap Chase | Caldwell Potter (FR) 7yo - 7/1 | Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Close Brothers Mares Hurdle | Lossiemouth (FR) 6yo - 4/6 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle | Bob Olinger (IRE) 10yo - 8/1 | Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Ryanair Chase | Fact To File (FR) 8yo - 6/4 | W P Mullins Mark Walsh |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Pertemps Network Final | Doddiethegreat (IRE) 9yo - 25/1 | Nicky Henderson Brian Hughes |
| 17:20 Cheltenham Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Daily Present (IRE) 8yo - 12/1 | Paul Nolan Mr B T Stone |
Schedule for Friday at the Cheltenham Festival
The final day of the festival and the feature race that we have all been waiting for, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which the Irish have been fairly dominant in recent years.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle | Poniros (GB) 4yo - 100/1 | W P Mullins Jonjo O'Neill Jr |
| 14:00 Cheltenham County Handicap Hurdle | Kargese (FR) 5yo - 3/1 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase | Dinoblue (FR) 8yo - 6/4 | W P Mullins Mark Walsh |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle | Jasmin De Vaux (FR) 6yo - 6/1 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Cheltenham Gold Cup | Inothewayurthinkin (IRE) 7yo - 15/2 | Gavin Cromwell Mark Walsh |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Festival Hunters Chase | Wonderwall (IRE) 9yo - 28/1 | S Curling Mr R James |
| 17:20 Cheltenham Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle | Wodhooh (FR) 5yo - 9/2 | Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan |
Article Contributor Information
We are fortunate to have an excellent team of specialists and experts at OLBG. Contributing to the creation and maintenance of this Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Preview are Andy and Darren. They both work on the Horse Racing Tips team, overseeing the tipsters and managing the tip settlement, while also creating and managing all the horse racing event previews for National Hunt Racing.
Darren Brett
Expert Guide
Andy Powell
Expert Guide
Other Principal Races at the Cheltenham Racecourse
Here are some other notable races at the Cheltenham racecourse throughout the racing season that you may be interested in.
Races in January (Festival Trials Day)
- Cheltenham Trophy Handicap Chase
- Classic Novices' Hurdle
- Cleeve Hurdle
- Cotswold Chase
- International Hurdle
- JCB Triumph Juvenile Hurdle Trial
- Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase
Races in January
Races in April
Races in October (Showcase Meeting)
Races in November (November Meeting)
- Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
- Hyde Novices' Hurdle
- Shloer Chase
- Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase
- JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle
- Paddy Power Gold Cup
- Greatwood Hurdle
- November Meeting Handicap Chase
