KIM MUIR CHASE

The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup is a handicap chase for amateur riders only and is often referred to as simply the Kim Muir Chase.

Originally called the Kim Muir Memorial Cup, Fulke Walwyn’s name was added to the race’s title in 1991. 

Walwyn trained 40 Cheltenham Festival winners during his illustrious training career, including this race twice.

There is a celing for ratings of 145 and the race is currently sponsored by the JRL Group.

The race has featured various future Grand National contenders and Ballabriggs won the National the year after winning in 2010.

Sunnyhillboy was then beaten by a nose in the National, just a month after winning the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase in 2011.

Cause of Causes also finished second in the National - 12 months after winning this race in 2016, while Any Second Now won in 2019 and was third in the National in 2021.

Famously, HRH Prince Charles (now King Charles) participated in the 1981 renewal and was unseated from his horse Good Prospect, who had won the race 12 months earlier.

KIM MUIR CHASE TRENDS

Recent winning form isn't a prerequisite, but 4 of the last 5 Kim Muir Chase winners did win or finish runner-up on their previous outing.

Jockey bookings are often key and for in-running punters it's worth noting the race tends to favour hold-up horses, with some amateur jockeys going off a little too hard.

The 2020 & 2021 renewals went to horses fitted with a tongue-tie, a notable trend in the longest staying handicap hurdle of the week, the Pertemps Final, run earlier in the day.

Gordon Elliott trained the 2016 and 2020 winners and was also training the 2021 winner before his suspension.

By contrast, neither Willie Mullins or Paul Nicholls have won the race, while Nicky Henderson’s last success was in 2005.

LAST 5 WINNERS’ DATA

RECENT WINNERS

Chambard, ridden by amateur jockey Lucy Turner, led home a 1-3 for trainer Venetia Williams in 2022, at odds of 40/1 and 66/1 respectively:

Mount Ida won in 2021 despite the mare trailing the field by some way on the first circuit and trading at 999/1 in-running.

Professional jockeys took over from the amateurs due to Covid restrictions and the winner was ridden by Jack Kennedy:

Milan Native recorded his first success over fences to win the Kim Muir Chase in 2020.

It was also the seven-year-old's first outing beyond 2 miles 6 furlongs and a first Festival winner for top point-to-point rider Rob James, who was claiming 7lb:

Any Second Now stayed on strongly under a superb ride by Derek O'Connor in 2019.

Winning trainer Ted Walsh had won the race twice as a jockey back in the 1970's:

Missed Approach, runner-up to Tiger Roll in the National Hunt Chase 12 months earlier, went one better in the 2018 Kim Muir.

Showing the benefit of a recent wind op, he held on doggedly under a brave front-running ride from Noel McParlan, who won his first Festival race after three seconds:

In 2016 Cause of Causes won the second of his three Festival races, having won the National Hunt Chase 12 months earlier.

The race was introduced to the Festival in 1946 in memory of the 'fearless' amateur jockey and trainer Ian Kay ('Kim') Muir, who died in France during World War II aged 24. Originally it was restricted to riders who had served in the armed forces.

PREVIOUS WINNERS