The two mile November Novices Chase ( previously the Coventry) is seen as an important trial for the Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. Azertyuiop in the 2002-2003 season was the last horse to double up in both races.
The roll of honour inludes horses who went on to win show their best over further notably Best Mate, Seebald and Thisthatandtheother since 2000. The 2011 winner Al Ferof may be a horse to fall into this category and tries a longer trip in the 2012 Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Cheltenham November Novices Chase Stats
- Paul Nicholls has trained the last 4 winners and 6 of the last 10
- SP favourites have won 6 of the last 10 ( and were 2nd on another 3 occasions)
- 5 of the last 8 winners were aged 6
Cheltenham November Novices Chase Winners 2000-2011
| Year | Horse | Age | Jockey | Trainer | WT | SP | FOF |
| 2011 | Al Ferof | 6 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls | 11-2 | 5-6 | 1 |
| 2010 | Ghizao | 6 | Timmy Murphy | Paul Nicholls | 11-2 | 13-2 | 2 |
| 2009 | Tataniano | 5 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls | 11-6 | 5-6 | 1 |
| 2008 | Tatenen | 4 | Sam Thomas | Paul Nicholls | 11-1 | 8-13 | 1 |
| 2007 | Moon Over Miami | 6 | Noel Fehily | Charlie Mann | 11-4 | 10-1 | 2 |
| 2006 | Fair Along | 4 | Richard Johnson | Philip Hobbs | 10-7 | 100-30 | 2 |
| 2005 | Accordion Etoile | 6 | John Cullen | Paul Nolan | 11-5 | 5-2 | 1 |
| 2004 | Fundamentalist | 6 | Carl Llewellyn | Nigel Twiston-Davies | 11-9 | 2-1 | 3 |
| 2003 | Thisthatandtother | 7 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls | 11-9 | 8-13 | 1 |
| 2002 | Azertyuiop | 5 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls | 11-9 | 5-4 | 1 |
| 2001 | Seebald | 6 | Tony McCoy | Martin Pipe | 11-9 | 11-4 | 2 |
| 2000 | Best Mate | 5 | Jim Culloty | Henrietta Knight | 11-4 | 8-13 | 1 |
