GOLDEN MILLER NOVICES’ CHASE

The Golden Miller Novices' Chase was run at the Cheltenham Festival from 2011 to 2024.

First sponsored by Jewson, it was subsequently known as the JLT, the Marsh and finally the Turners Novices' Chase.

Grade 2 | 5yo+ novices
2 miles 4 furlongs | 17 fences | New Course
Weight: 11st 5lb (5yo) / 11st 7lb (6yo+) | Allowance: 7lb for mares

From its introduction, it came under scrutiny for the field sizes and its impact on the other Grade 1 novice chases at the meeting – the Arkle Chase and the Brown Advisory Chase.

In 2022, only four horses lined up for the race, all of whom were trained in Ireland.

From 2025 it is to be replaced by a new open novices' handicap race, the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase.

This means more top quality novices will be forced to pursue the graded two mile (Arkle) or three mile (Brown Advistory) routes.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

YEAR
WINNER
JOCKEY / TRAINER
SP
2024
Grey Dawning
Harry Skelton / Dan Skelton
5/2jf
2023
Stage Star
Harry Cobden / Paul Nicholls
15/2
2022
Bob Olinger
Rachael Blackmore / Henry De Bromhead
6/5
2021
Chantry House
Nico de Boinville / Nicky Henderson
9/1
2020
Samcro
Davy Russell / Gordon Elliott
4/1
2019
Defi Du Seuil
Barry Geraghty / Philip Hobbs
3/1f
2018
Shattered Love
Jack Kennedy / Gordon Elliott
4/1
2017
Yorkhill
Ruby Walsh / Willie Mullins
6/4f
2016
Black Hercules
Ruby Walsh / Willie Mullins
4/1cf
2015
Vautour
Ruby Walsh / Willie Mullins
6/4f
2014
Taquin Du Seuil
Tony McCoy / Jonjo O'Neill
7/1
2013
Benefficient
Bryan Cooper / Tony Martin
20/1
2012
Sir Des Champs
Davy Russell / Willie Mullins
3/1
2011
Noble Prince
Tony McCoy / Paul Nolan
4/1

Grey Dawning 2024

Stage Star 2023

There was a dramatic ending to the 2022 Turners Chase as Galopin Des Champs slipped and ditched Paul Townend onto the ground after jumping the last 12 lengths clear.

That handed victory to Bob Olinger, who thus secured back-to-back Festival wins after his Ballymore triumph of 2021.

But winning trainer Henry de Bromhead was quick to acknowledge that the unlucky faller was comfortably the better horse on the day:

‘I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE HIM OFF THE BRIDLE SO SOON, OBVIOUSLY THE OTHER ONE IS SOMETHING ELSE’

Envoi Allen was bidding for a third successive Festival win in 2021, having won the Champion Bumper and the Ballymore previously.

But the 4/9 shot crashed out at the fourth fence, leaving the way clear for Chantry House to run out an impressive winner in his absence.

Of Envoi Allen's early exit, winning jockey Nico de Boinville said:

‘I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HE HAD COME DOWN. I WAS WONDERING WHEN HE WAS GOING TO COME AND PICK ME UP IN THE STRAIGHT’

There was a epic battle in 2020 as Samcro, Melon and Faugheen fought it out up the hill.

Faugheen, winner of the Champion Hurdle five years earlier, was attempting to win a novice chase at the age of 12.

But it was Samcro, ridden by Davy Russell, who eventually saw off the gallant Melon in a pulsating finish, with Faugheen a length back:

‘HE’S BRAVE, HE’S AS BRAVE AS A LION AND HE GOT BACK UP WITH THE LAST STRIDE’

Defi Du Seuil, winner of the Triumph Hurdle two years earlier, got the better of old rival Lostintranslation in 2019 to record a 20th Festival winner for trainer Philip Hobbs:

‘SOMETIMES THESE SMALLER HORSES ARE BETTER AT THE WHOLE THING BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE ATHLETIC’

Shattered Love became the first mare to win the race in 2018, despite a mistake at the last:

Yorkhill 2017

Black Hercules 2016

The mighty Vautour cruised to victory back in 2015, the second of his three Festival wins.

The race was effectively a procession turning for home and the 6/4 favourite flew the final two fences under Ruby Walsh:

Taquin Du Seuil 2014

Benefficient 2013

Sir Des Champs 2012

Noble Prince 2011