The National Hunt Chase is the ultimate stamina test for novice chasers, a marathon handicap run on Tuesday 16 March, day one of the 2027 Cheltenham Festival. Find the latest National Hunt Chase odds for next year’s race below.

National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase Odds 2027
2026 National Hunt Chase Result
Nicky Henderson and James Bowen took the 2026 National Hunt Chase with Holloway Queen at 12/1, as King Of Answers finished second at 22/1 ahead of One Big Bang and Union Station. It was a punishing affair, with six of the 17 runners pulled up, including 3/1 favourite Backmersackme, as last year’s racecard below shows.
17:20 Cheltenham
National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Going Good To Soft
- Distance 3m 5f 201y
- Class Class 2
- Race Type Chase Turf
- Surface Turf
- Runners 17
- Win Time 7m 47s
12/1
(Won)
22/1
11/1
28/1
13/2
10/1
20/1
33/1
40/1
33/1
33/1
7/2
33/1
14/1
3/1F
13/2
25/1
12/1
(Won)
- Win: £13.90
- Place: £3.40
22/1
- Place: £4.50
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £323.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £258.44 |
| Tricast | £3032.14 |
| Trifecta | £3871.90 |
Selections
TOPSPEED:
Newton TornadoSPOTLIGHT:
BackmersackmeDaily Mirror:
Iceberg TheoryNEWMARKET:
One Big BangLAMBOURN:
Walking On AirRP RATINGS:
Holloway QueenWEST COUNTRY:
Guard The MoonTHE NORTH:
Grand GesteTelegraph:
BackmersackmeDaily Mail:
BackmersackmeThe Star:
Iceberg TheoryThe Guardian:
One Big BangD Express:
Walking On AirNational Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase Betting News
There is no ante-post market for the 2027 National Hunt Chase yet, and as a novices’ handicap it tends to draw a largely new field each year, so the picture will only become clear once this season’s staying novice chasers have had a run or two.
Last year’s renewal was a reminder of how stern a test this marathon trip provides, with fancied runners Backmersackme, Kurasso Blue and Newton Tornado all pulled up, so proven stamina is likely to be at a premium again.

Betting on the National Hunt Chase
A race now open to professional jockeys, the National Hunt Chase is a cracking betting heat, as with it being a handicap event then it’s a race that sees improvers gain weight of those that have already delivered a decent level on the track.
Decent field sizes are expected, so it can appeal to each-way punters, and the National Hunt Chase betting will certainly change in the days and hours leading up to the race.