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As this race stands alone and there have been a few posts about it already, I thought it would be appropriate to start its own thread.
CHELTENHAM FOXHUNTERS CHASE
The Amateur Gold Cup run over the same Course and Distance as the Gold Cup.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Class 2, £45,000 total prize fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 4.10pm, Friday, March 19, 2021, three miles and two and a half furlongs (3m 2f 70y). For five-year-olds & upwards which since October 1, 2018, & before March 1, 2021, have been placed first or second on two occasions in a hunters’ chase in Great Britain or Ireland or have won two Open chases at Point-to-Point Meetings (i.e. Gentlemen’s, Ladies’ or Mixed Open Races) in Great Britain or Ireland or have won one Open steeple chase at a Point-to-Point Meeting in Great Britain or Ireland and have been placed first or second in a hunters’ steeple chase. Weights: 5-y-o 11st 12lb; 6-y-o & up 12st; mares allowed 7lb. Entries close March 2, six-day confirmations March 13, final declaration 10.00am, Wednesday, March 17. Maximum 24 runners.
Note : Horses that have won a Class 1 or 2 contest in the 15 months prior to 1st January aren’t eligible to run in Hunter Chases in the UK.
UPDATED : Latest wording on this clause on BHA webste, governing Point to Point Hunter Chases.
On or after October 1st, 2019 has been placed first, second or third in a Grade 1 or Grade 2 Steeple Chase in Great Britain or Ireland or in any other steeple chase run outside Great Britain or Ireland which in the opinion of the Authority is the equivalent of a Grade 1 or Grade 2 steeple chase.
UPDATED : NEW QUALIFYING CRITERIA PUBLISHED JANUARY 2021 SECIFICALLY FOR 2021
The BHA has announced new race conditions for the two hunter chases at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals to reflect the recent cancellation of point-to-point racing in Britain and Ireland.
The St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham, often referred to as the amateurs' Gold Cup, previously required horses to have either finished in the first two in a hunter chase on two occasions or won two open point-to-point races, or one of each, within the previous two and a half years.
Now, a new condition has been added to allow horses who finish in the first four on two occasions in a hunter chase between January 20 and March 1, 2021 to qualify.
The same new conditions apply to Aintree's Randox Foxhunters' Chase, which is run over the Grand National fences, with the qualification period extended to March 22.
Both sets of rules apply to this year only and horses who are already fully qualified for either race do not need to requalify with the additional conditions. If a horse has had one run which qualifies, only one further run which qualifies is required.
TRENDS AND STATISTICS
In the last 73 runnings of the race since 1946, around 25% of winners have been age 9 but this race at the festival is one where older horses have a reasonable record.
Winners by age since 1946:
Age 6 = 3 wins
Age 7 = 10 wins
Age 8 = 13 wins
Age 9 = 18 wins
Age 10 = 12 wins
Age 11 = 10 wins
Age 12 = 4 wins
Age 13 = 3 wins
Repeat Winners
In those 73 runnings, 6 horses have doubled up the following year and this has occurred twice recently with On The Fringe in 2015 / 2016 and Pacha Du Polder in 2017 / 2018. Hazel Hill was attempting to make this 3 double winners in a row in 2020 but was unfortunately withdrawn on the morning of the race due to injury.
Both On The Fringe and Pacha Du Polder were 11 years old when winning the race for the second time, which bodes well for It Came to Pass if he attempts to retain his crown in 2021.
Those looking for younger selections might be encouraged to know that 25 of the last 30 winners were less than 11 years old.
27 out of the last 32 winners came from a traditional Point to Point background, rather than entering Hunter Chasing after NH careers over regulation fences.
As is often the case, previous Festival Form is a positive particularly if selections have run in the race before. For example, 6 of the last 11 winners finished in the first 5 the previous year.
A FEW MENTIONS AT THIS EARLY STAGE
The 2020 winner It Came To Pass was an impressive winner and could attempt to follow up in 2021. Despite being age 11, recent history shows it can be done.
The 2020 runner up Billaway, has already been mentioned as likely to have another go in 2021 and his Trainer Willie Mullins seems keen to add this race to his CV. Billaway will be 9 next year.
David Maxwell Owner / Amatuer jockey remains passionate about Hunter Chasing and in recent years has purchased some quality ex Graded winners and handicappers (eg Shantou Flyer) which are then placed with Paul Nicholls. For 2021 David Maxwell will be hoping to finally lift the Cheltenham Foxhunters trophy and will have a few mounts to choose from. Cat Tiger was mentioned in November 2019 as a long term plan but there is also Bob and Co, plus whatever else David Maxwell might purchase between now and then.
J P McManus achieved success in this race most notably with On The Fringe and had 2 runners in 2020 which made the top 5 (Staker Wallace, Minella Rocco). It will be interesting to see if they continue or whether JP brings a younger horse into the HC ranks.
PAST RACES
A few which stand out in my memory :
1992 - Rushing Wild storming to victory. https://youtu.be/N4_jDzUOzhM (fast forward to 7 minutes in for closing stages)
1995 - Fantus, also trained by Richard Barber doing the same https://youtu.be/OgtLI8XLfkI (fast forward to 7 minutes in for closing stages)
2013 - Salsify, successfully defending his crown but with a massive dose of help from Oscar Delta. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...3S9wmB_CvCjRB3
CHELTENHAM FOXHUNTERS CHASE
The Amateur Gold Cup run over the same Course and Distance as the Gold Cup.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Class 2, £45,000 total prize fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 4.10pm, Friday, March 19, 2021, three miles and two and a half furlongs (3m 2f 70y). For five-year-olds & upwards which since October 1, 2018, & before March 1, 2021, have been placed first or second on two occasions in a hunters’ chase in Great Britain or Ireland or have won two Open chases at Point-to-Point Meetings (i.e. Gentlemen’s, Ladies’ or Mixed Open Races) in Great Britain or Ireland or have won one Open steeple chase at a Point-to-Point Meeting in Great Britain or Ireland and have been placed first or second in a hunters’ steeple chase. Weights: 5-y-o 11st 12lb; 6-y-o & up 12st; mares allowed 7lb. Entries close March 2, six-day confirmations March 13, final declaration 10.00am, Wednesday, March 17. Maximum 24 runners.
Note : Horses that have won a Class 1 or 2 contest in the 15 months prior to 1st January aren’t eligible to run in Hunter Chases in the UK.
UPDATED : Latest wording on this clause on BHA webste, governing Point to Point Hunter Chases.
On or after October 1st, 2019 has been placed first, second or third in a Grade 1 or Grade 2 Steeple Chase in Great Britain or Ireland or in any other steeple chase run outside Great Britain or Ireland which in the opinion of the Authority is the equivalent of a Grade 1 or Grade 2 steeple chase.
UPDATED : NEW QUALIFYING CRITERIA PUBLISHED JANUARY 2021 SECIFICALLY FOR 2021
The BHA has announced new race conditions for the two hunter chases at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals to reflect the recent cancellation of point-to-point racing in Britain and Ireland.
The St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham, often referred to as the amateurs' Gold Cup, previously required horses to have either finished in the first two in a hunter chase on two occasions or won two open point-to-point races, or one of each, within the previous two and a half years.
Now, a new condition has been added to allow horses who finish in the first four on two occasions in a hunter chase between January 20 and March 1, 2021 to qualify.
The same new conditions apply to Aintree's Randox Foxhunters' Chase, which is run over the Grand National fences, with the qualification period extended to March 22.
Both sets of rules apply to this year only and horses who are already fully qualified for either race do not need to requalify with the additional conditions. If a horse has had one run which qualifies, only one further run which qualifies is required.
TRENDS AND STATISTICS
In the last 73 runnings of the race since 1946, around 25% of winners have been age 9 but this race at the festival is one where older horses have a reasonable record.
Winners by age since 1946:
Age 6 = 3 wins
Age 7 = 10 wins
Age 8 = 13 wins
Age 9 = 18 wins
Age 10 = 12 wins
Age 11 = 10 wins
Age 12 = 4 wins
Age 13 = 3 wins
Repeat Winners
In those 73 runnings, 6 horses have doubled up the following year and this has occurred twice recently with On The Fringe in 2015 / 2016 and Pacha Du Polder in 2017 / 2018. Hazel Hill was attempting to make this 3 double winners in a row in 2020 but was unfortunately withdrawn on the morning of the race due to injury.
Both On The Fringe and Pacha Du Polder were 11 years old when winning the race for the second time, which bodes well for It Came to Pass if he attempts to retain his crown in 2021.
Those looking for younger selections might be encouraged to know that 25 of the last 30 winners were less than 11 years old.
27 out of the last 32 winners came from a traditional Point to Point background, rather than entering Hunter Chasing after NH careers over regulation fences.
As is often the case, previous Festival Form is a positive particularly if selections have run in the race before. For example, 6 of the last 11 winners finished in the first 5 the previous year.
A FEW MENTIONS AT THIS EARLY STAGE
The 2020 winner It Came To Pass was an impressive winner and could attempt to follow up in 2021. Despite being age 11, recent history shows it can be done.
The 2020 runner up Billaway, has already been mentioned as likely to have another go in 2021 and his Trainer Willie Mullins seems keen to add this race to his CV. Billaway will be 9 next year.
David Maxwell Owner / Amatuer jockey remains passionate about Hunter Chasing and in recent years has purchased some quality ex Graded winners and handicappers (eg Shantou Flyer) which are then placed with Paul Nicholls. For 2021 David Maxwell will be hoping to finally lift the Cheltenham Foxhunters trophy and will have a few mounts to choose from. Cat Tiger was mentioned in November 2019 as a long term plan but there is also Bob and Co, plus whatever else David Maxwell might purchase between now and then.
J P McManus achieved success in this race most notably with On The Fringe and had 2 runners in 2020 which made the top 5 (Staker Wallace, Minella Rocco). It will be interesting to see if they continue or whether JP brings a younger horse into the HC ranks.
PAST RACES
A few which stand out in my memory :
1992 - Rushing Wild storming to victory. https://youtu.be/N4_jDzUOzhM (fast forward to 7 minutes in for closing stages)
1995 - Fantus, also trained by Richard Barber doing the same https://youtu.be/OgtLI8XLfkI (fast forward to 7 minutes in for closing stages)
2013 - Salsify, successfully defending his crown but with a massive dose of help from Oscar Delta. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...3S9wmB_CvCjRB3
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