Thursday 12 March 2026 | 14:00 | Cheltenham New Course | 2m 4f 127y | Grade 2 Limited Novices' Handicap Chase
Last year, Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden arrived at the inaugural Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase with a seven-year-old who had been quietly laid out for the race all season. Caldwell Potter made every yard of the running and won going away. Twelve months on, the same trainer and the same jockey are back – with a horse whose career path mirrors Caldwell Potter's almost exactly. Could lightning really strike twice?
The honest answer is: possibly. But there is a horse in this field who has never been beaten at this trip over fences, who won a Grade 1 at Sandown last time out, and who represents a local trainer's best Festival chance in years. The Caldwell Potter blueprint is compelling. Sixmilebridge's record is hard to argue with.
Key Angles
Key Angles for the 2026 Running
- The Caldwell Potter Blueprint: Regent's Stroll shares an almost identical career path to last year's winner – same trainer, same jockey, same age, similar form profile. Nicholls and Cobden have openly said this race has been the target all season.
- Sixmilebridge's Unbeaten Trip Record: Fergal O'Brien's seven-year-old has been first past the post in all six starts at 2m4f – one result was overturned on a disqualification, but the raw performance record at this trip is unblemished. His Scilly Isles Grade 1 win at Sandown last time was authoritative.
- The Supreme Winner: Slade Steel won the 2024 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and has been placed repeatedly over fences without winning. Henry De Bromhead has a history of targeting this intermediate trip with smart horses – A Plus Tard ran in the old version of this race before becoming a Gold Cup hero. The double-figure price looks generous.
- Pace Scenario: Regent's Stroll is likely to set the pace. Caldwell Potter won from the front last year. If Regent's Stroll controls the race at a sensible tempo, he becomes very hard to peg back. Sixmilebridge will need to find a way past a horse who is motivated to make this a test of jumping rather than finishing speed.
- The Extra Places Angle: With 19 runners declared, the race currently qualifies for 5 places at 1/5 odds. Keep an eye on non-runners – if the field drops below 16, only 4 places will be paid. If it stays at 16 or above, five places are on offer and the each-way market becomes very attractive at mid-to-big prices.
Betting Odds
Jack Richards Novices' Chase 2026 – Betting Odds
Horse | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Regent's Stroll | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Sixmilebridge | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Jordans Cross | 11/2 | 15.4% |
Meetmebythesea | 13/2 | 13.3% |
Slade Steel | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Stencil | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Wingmen | 11/1 | 8.3% |
The Bluesman | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Kiss Will | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Ol Man Dingle | 20/1 | 4.8% |
Kdeux Saint Fray | 20/1 | 4.8% |
King Alexander | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Ben Solo | 25/1 | 3.8% |
Western Knight | 28/1 | 3.4% |
Gold Dancer | 28/1 | 3.4% |
Dr Eggman | 33/1 | 2.9% |
Intense Approach | 40/1 | 2.4% |
Moon Rocket | 40/1 | 2.4% |
Where's My Jet | 50/1 | 2.0% |
Tips
Jack Richards Novices’ Chase Tips
Sixmilebridge – 5/1 | Trainer: Fergal O'Brien | Jockey: Kielan Woods | Form: 1D9-111 | TIP
The most straightforward case in the race. Sixmilebridge has been first past the post in every single start at 2 miles 4 furlongs over fences – six attempts, six times crossing the line in front. One result was taken away on a disqualification, but no horse has ever outjumped or outstayed him at this trip. He then went to Sandown and won the Scilly Isles Grade 1, beating Kala Conti impressively – a horse who has been involved in some of the best novice form of the season.
Local trainer Fergal O'Brien has been building toward this moment all season and Sixmilebridge arrives in the form of his life. Kielan Woods takes the ride for a trainer who is yet to celebrate a Festival winner – the hunger is there and the horse is there to deliver it.
The concern: He carries plenty of weight in a handicap. If Regent's Stroll gets away with an uncontested lead and jumps cleanly throughout, Sixmilebridge may face a stiff task catching him before the hill. The disqualification also means his form figures read worse than the reality.
Verdict: Our pick to win the race. The unbeaten trip record and Grade 1 form make him the standout.
Regent's Stroll – 9/2 | Trainer: Paul Nicholls | Jockey: Harry Cobden | Form: 212-312
The Caldwell Potter story is impossible to ignore. Last year, Nicholls and Cobden won the inaugural Jack Richards with a front-running seven-year-old who had been quietly prepared for this race all season. This year, they return with Regent's Stroll – a seven-year-old front-runner who has been quietly prepared for this race all season. The twin-like resemblance in career path is, as the Racing Post put it, uncanny.
Harry Cobden is effusive in his confidence – he said before the Festival that Regent's Stroll is his best chance of a winner all week and he would not swap him for any other horse in the race. He jumps for fun, he has course and distance experience, and on his best form, he is a graded horse running in a handicap.
The concern: He was beaten here by Miami Magic last time out, which raises a small question mark. His form figures of 212-312 show a horse who finishes second and third more than he wins. Nicholls and Cobden are very confident – but Sixmilebridge's record at this trip is difficult to dismiss.
Verdict: The most compelling narrative in the race. Dangerous – but we prefer Sixmilebridge at the price.
Slade Steel – 7/1 | Trainer: Henry De Bromhead | Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe | Form: 3/22-2B2 | Each-Way
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner of 2024 has been placed in five of his six starts over fences without winning – but the quality of those performances has been consistently high. He thrives at Cheltenham and his RPR of 157 puts him right in the mix on the figures. The concern has always been whether he can translate that placed form into a win.
The angle that makes him genuinely interesting is the De Bromhead history with this race. A Plus Tard – who went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup – ran in the old version of this contest before announcing himself to the world. A Festival winner returning to the scene of his greatest triumph at double-figure odds deserves serious each-way consideration.
The concern: The form figures tell a story of a horse who keeps finishing second. Five places without a win over fences raises the question of whether he has the killer instinct to get his head in front on the day.
Verdict: Our each-way pick and alternative for those who want to oppose the favourite. The Supreme winner angle and the De Bromhead history make him too big to ignore at 7/1.
Jordans Cross – 11/2 | Trainer: Anthony Honeyball | Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies | Form: 12-1F11
The Trials Day angle is significant. Jordans Cross won the course and distance handicap chase on Trials Day – arguably the single most relevant prep race for this contest. He was also an unlucky faller here in November when he was travelling well and threatening to get involved. Since then he has won twice, including that Trials Day race, and arrives in excellent heart.
Sam Twiston-Davies knows this track inside out and Jordans Cross is a strong finisher who will relish the hill. At 11/2 he is arguably the most straightforward each-way play in the market – proven at the course, proven at the trip, and arriving on the back of a win in the most relevant prep race available.
The concern: At 11/2 he is short enough that the each-way return is relatively modest. He is also up against a horse in Sixmilebridge with a superior Grade 1 form line. The Trials Day win is strong but may already be in the price.
Verdict: Strong each-way claims but possibly a touch short for the each-way market.
The Bluesman – 12/1 | Trainer: Olly Murphy | Jockey: Sean Bowen | Form: 1/13-121
Only eight career starts, unbeaten at this trip since switching to Olly Murphy's yard, and an RPR of 159 – the joint highest in the field alongside Gold Dancer. The Bluesman is the most unexposed horse among the leading contenders and represents exactly the type of progressive, lightly-raced novice who can land a Festival handicap off a mark that has not yet caught up with his ability.
Two smooth chase wins at this trip, a progressive profile, and a trainer who knows how to place a horse. At 12/1 with five places on offer, the each-way case is compelling for a horse who could easily be rated several pounds higher by the end of the season.
The concern: The deeper Grade 2 company here is a step up from what he has faced. His RPR is high but is it proven against the calibre of horse he meets on Thursday?
Verdict: Interesting each-way claims at 12/1. The unexposed profile is exactly what Festival handicaps reward.
Western Knight – 28/1 | Trainer: Joe Tizzard | Jockey: Brendan Powell | Form: U8-4112
The big price each-way angle. Western Knight finished runner-up in the Reynoldstown Chase over 3 miles and now drops back to his ideal trip of 2m3f–2m5f – a distance range at which he has won four from four. That drop in trip is significant and it is the kind of angle that gets overlooked in the pre-race noise around the market leaders.
Joe Tizzard is a trainer who has been quietly building toward Festival targets and Western Knight's improving profile – four wins at this trip range – suggests there is more to come. At 28/1 with five places potentially on offer, a small each-way interest is entirely justified.
The concern: He was fourth and fifth in his two starts before the Reynoldstown, which suggests the very top level may stretch him. He needs everything to fall right.
Verdict: Small each-way interest at 28/1. The trip drop is the key angle.
Other Considerations
Others to Consider
Stencil (7/1, Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm): Improved significantly since wearing a hood and won impressively at Chepstow last time. The runner-up has since franked that form. Lightly raced and unexposed, but stepping up significantly in trip is the unknown quantity. If he stays 2m4f, he has a big chance.
Meetmebythesea (13/2, Ben Pauling): Ben Pauling has been confident about this horse all season. Ignore his last run behind Lulamba – that was 2 miles in a Grade 2 and he is clearly better suited to this longer trip. Dual winner before that run and capable of a big performance back up in distance.
Wingmen (11/1, Gordon Elliott): Consistent profile with form ties to Slade Steel. Latest run was well franked by the winner and he looks primed. Jack Kennedy rides. Could easily outrun his odds and merits each-way consideration.
Gold Dancer (28/1, W.P. Mullins): Two Grade 3 wins and two Grade 1 seconds this term – the form figures are eyecatching. Didn't stay 3 miles last time and the drop back to 2m4f suits. The weight is the concern in a competitive handicap but he clearly has ability.
King Alexander (25/1, W.P. Mullins): Patrick Mullins – son of the trainer and assistant at Closutton – has spoken openly about his each-way interest, citing his sweet travelling style and the possibility that good ground could leave him ahead of the handicapper. Unexposed over fences despite his age and worth a small interest at the price.
Betting Offers
BOYLE Sports Betting Offers for the Jack Richards Novices' Chase
With 19 runners declared, the Extra Places offer terms depend on how many horses actually go to post on the day:
Extra Places – 1/5 odds (runners dependent): If 16 or more horses run, BOYLE Sports pay 5 places at 1/5 odds. If the field drops below 16 runners due to non-runners on the day, 4 places are paid. Keep an eye on declarations on the morning of the race. Five places at 1/5 odds makes the each-way market on Slade Steel (13/2), The Bluesman (12/1), Western Knight (28/1) and King Alexander (25/1) particularly attractive.
Money Back as a Free Bet if Your Horse Loses: BOYLE Sports will give you your stake back as a free bet if your selection is 2nd to the SP favourite. Max free bet is £/€10. This applies to win singles and win part of each-way singles (outright) only. Full T&Cs apply.
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG): Take an early price and if the SP is bigger on the day, you get paid at the bigger number.
Predictions
Jack Richards Novices' Chase Prediction – Cheltenham Festival 2026
The Caldwell Potter blueprint is the most seductive story on the Day 3 card. Same trainer, same jockey, same age, same race – and Harry Cobden has made no secret of his confidence.
But Sixmilebridge has never been beaten at this trip over fences. Six starts, six times first past the post. He won a Grade 1 at Sandown last time and arrives with the best form in the book. Local trainer Fergal O'Brien has been waiting for this moment and at 5/1 he represents fair value in a race where the market has given him slightly too much respect to Regent's Stroll's narrative.
Tip: Sixmilebridge (5/1)
The unbeaten trip record, the Grade 1 form, and the hunger of a local trainer chasing his first Festival winner make him our selection.
Each-Way: Slade Steel (13/2)
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner returning to Cheltenham at double-figure odds, trained by a man who has a history of targeting this intermediate trip with smart horses. Consistent placed form over fences, loves this track, and the A Plus Tard comparison – however loose – is the kind of angle that wins races. Back him each-way and use the Extra Places offer to maximise the return.
If you want to go wider, Jordans Cross and The Bluesman both have legitimate claims, and King Alexander at 25/1 is worth a small each-way interest – a sweet traveller who could be ahead of the handicapper on good ground.
About The Race
About the Jack Richards Novices' Chase
The Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase is a Grade 2 race run over 2 miles 4 furlongs and 127 yards at the Cheltenham Festival on Day 3. It is restricted to novice chasers and carries a prize fund of £64,300 to the winner.
The race only became the Jack Richards Novices' Chase in 2025 – making Caldwell Potter the inaugural winner under that name. However, the race has a much longer history under a succession of sponsorship names: the Golden Miller, the JLT Chase, the Marsh Chase, and most recently the Turners' Novices' Chase. The BHA remodelled the race for 2025, converting it from a Grade 1 novices' chase into a Grade 2 limited novices' handicap, with the aim of revitalising the Arkle over 2 miles and the Brown Advisory over 3 miles by creating a competitive middle-distance handicap alternative.
Because the race only ran for the first time in its current handicap format in 2025, historical trends are essentially non-existent. The previous winners table under earlier race names offers some context – seven-year-olds have dominated, Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins have been the most successful trainers, and horses who arrive with strong novice form at this trip tend to go well – but punters should be cautious about applying strict trend filters to a race with only one running in its current form.
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