The Charlie Hall Chase takes place at Wetherby Racecourse on Saturday 31 October 2026. The bet365 Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 steeplechase over approximately three miles for horses aged five and older. It is one of the first major tests of the British jump racing season for established staying chasers.
The race regularly attracts horses returning from a summer break, including runners with form in the King George VI Chase, Cheltenham Gold Cup and other leading staying chases. Fitness, accurate jumping and the ability to sustain a gallop over three miles are central to the contest.
Djelo won the 2025 renewal for trainer Venetia Williams and jockey Charlie Deutsch. The 2026 declarations, going and individual race time will be confirmed nearer raceday.
Our Wetherby Racecourse guide covers the track, its fixtures and information for racegoers.
Charlie Hall Chase 2026: Key Race Information
| Detail | Charlie Hall Chase 2026 |
|---|---|
| Race | bet365 Charlie Hall Chase |
| Date | Saturday 31 October 2026 |
| Racecourse | Wetherby |
| Race type | Grade 2 steeplechase |
| Eligibility | Horses aged five and older |
| Distance | Approximately three miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Prize fund | £100,000 advertised for the 2026 meeting |
| Scheduled off-time | To be confirmed |
| Going | To be confirmed nearer raceday |
| Defending winner | Djelo |
Wetherby has scheduled the Charlie Hall Chase for the second day of its two-day meeting. The first race on Saturday is currently listed for 12:35pm, but that is not the confirmed off-time of the Charlie Hall Chase.
The final racecard will establish the exact distance, number of fences, runners and race conditions for the 2026 renewal.
When Is the Charlie Hall Chase 2026?
The 2026 Charlie Hall Chase is scheduled for Saturday 31 October at Wetherby Racecourse in West Yorkshire.
The meeting begins on Friday 30 October, with the Charlie Hall Chase taking place on Saturday. Its position in the calendar makes it an early opportunity to assess established staying chasers before the major races later in the autumn and winter.
The race can influence plans for the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the King George VI Chase at Kempton. Those races present different tests, so a horse’s performance at Wetherby should be assessed alongside its preferred distance, ground and track.
Charlie Hall Chase Race Overview
The Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase run over approximately three miles. It is open to horses aged five and older and is one of the most established early-season races for staying chasers.
The contest gives trainers a chance to bring experienced horses back to the racecourse after the summer. Some runners arrive with previous Grade 1 form, while others use the race to establish whether they can compete at a higher level during the new campaign.
A horse needs to travel efficiently, jump consistently and retain enough stamina for the closing stages. The pace can be strong when several prominent runners contest the lead, but small fields can also produce tactical races.
The final going matters. A horse suited by good ground may face a different test if autumn rain makes conditions more demanding.
Wetherby Racecourse: What Makes the Charlie Hall Chase Different?
Wetherby is a left-handed jump racing course. Its relatively flat, galloping layout allows horses to maintain a rhythm, but the turns and position of the fences still reward accurate jumping.
The Charlie Hall Chase is a three-mile race, so conserving energy matters. A runner that races too freely or repeatedly loses momentum at its fences can struggle to finish as strongly as its earlier position suggests.
Jumping rhythm
A fluent jumper can maintain its position without using extra energy between fences. Review how each contender has jumped in previous chases, particularly when racing at a strong pace.
An isolated mistake does not automatically rule out a horse. Repeated errors under pressure, however, can become costly against established graded chasers.
Position and pace
Prominent runners can be difficult to catch when they jump well and control the pace. A horse held up at the rear needs the leaders to come back to it or must make ground at a suitable point.
The likely pace should be assessed from the declared runners. A field containing several horses that prefer to lead can create a different race from one with a single obvious front-runner.
Our horse racing pace maps guide explains how to assess running styles and likely race shape.
Ground and stamina
Three miles at Wetherby can test a horse’s stamina, particularly on soft or heavy ground. A runner that stays the distance on a sound surface may find the final stages harder when the going becomes testing.
Check the official going report and recent performances on comparable ground. Our guide to the going in horse racing explains the main descriptions and how they affect race analysis.
Charlie Hall Chase Previous Winners
The Charlie Hall Chase has been won by several leading staying chasers, including horses that went on to major successes later in the season.
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Djelo | Venetia Williams | Charlie Deutsch |
| 2024 | The Real Whacker | Patrick Neville | Brian Hughes |
| 2023 | Gentlemansgame | Mouse Morris | Darragh O’Keeffe |
| 2022 | Bravemansgame | Paul Nicholls | Harry Cobden |
| 2021 | Fusil Raffles | Nicky Henderson | Daryl Jacob |
| 2020 | Cyrname | Paul Nicholls | Harry Cobden |
| 2019 | Ballyoptic | Nigel Twiston-Davies | Sam Twiston-Davies |
| 2018 | Definitly Red | Brian Ellison | Danny Cook |
| 2017 | Bristol De Mai | Nigel Twiston-Davies | Daryl Jacob |
| 2016 | Irish Cavalier | Rebecca Curtis | Jonathan Moore |
| 2015 | Cue Card | Colin Tizzard | Paddy Brennan |
| 2014 | Menorah | Philip Hobbs | Richard Johnson |
| 2013 | Harry Topper | Kim Bailey | Jason Maguire |
| 2012 | Silviniaco Conti | Paul Nicholls | Ruby Walsh |
| 2011 | Weird Al | Donald McCain | Timmy Murphy |
| 2010 | Nacarat | Tom George | Sam Thomas |
The table shows the range of horses that have won the race. Some were established Grade 1 performers, while others used Wetherby to record an important victory early in their campaigns.
Charlie Hall Chase 2025 Result: Djelo
Djelo won the 2025 Charlie Hall Chase for Venetia Williams, ridden by Charlie Deutsch.
The race was run at Wetherby on 1 November 2025 over three miles and 45 yards on good ground. Djelo beat Pic D’Orhy by one length, with the winner finishing strongly after challenging in the closing stages.
The result showed that Djelo could be effective over three miles, having previously been associated with races over shorter distances. It also gave Williams and Deutsch a major early-season success.
The 2025 performance is relevant background for the 2026 race, but Djelo should not be treated as a confirmed runner until the declarations are published.
Charlie Hall Chase History
The race is named after W. A. “Charlie” Hall, a Yorkshire jump racing trainer whose career began in 1945. Hall trained at Towton, near Tadcaster, and recorded his first winner, Culworth, at Wetherby that November.
The origins of the Wetherby Pattern Chase date to 1969. The first running under the Charlie Hall Memorial name took place in 1978, when Fighting Fit won.
The race developed into a significant early-season contest for staying chasers. Its position in late October or early November allows established horses to begin their campaigns before the leading winter races.
Wetherby’s roll of honour includes winners with strong records at Cheltenham, Kempton, Haydock and Aintree.
Famous Charlie Hall Chase Winners
Cue Card, 2015
Cue Card won the Charlie Hall Chase in 2015 for Colin Tizzard, ridden by Paddy Brennan.
He went on to win the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the King George VI Chase at Kempton later that season. His Wetherby victory was the beginning of an outstanding autumn and winter campaign.
Cue Card returned for the 2016 Charlie Hall Chase but finished third behind Irish Cavalier.
Bristol De Mai, 2017
Bristol De Mai won the 2017 Charlie Hall Chase for Nigel Twiston-Davies, ridden by Daryl Jacob.
He became particularly associated with Haydock, where he won the Betfair Chase three times. His Wetherby victory forms part of an impressive record in major staying chases.
Definitly Red, 2018
Definitly Red won the 2018 Charlie Hall Chase for Brian Ellison and Danny Cook.
He also won the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree later that year. His successes demonstrated his ability to compete in demanding staying chases at different courses.
Cyrname, 2020
Cyrname won the 2020 Charlie Hall Chase for Paul Nicholls, ridden by Harry Cobden.
He had already established himself as a high-class chaser through his performances at Ascot. The Wetherby victory showed his ability to win over three miles at a different track.
Bravemansgame, 2022
Bravemansgame won the 2022 Charlie Hall Chase for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden.
He went on to win the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day that year. His Wetherby success was an important starting point for a campaign that established him among Britain’s leading staying chasers.
Gentlemansgame, 2023
Gentlemansgame won the 2023 Charlie Hall Chase for Irish trainer Mouse Morris, ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe.
His victory demonstrated that the race can attract leading contenders from Ireland as well as Britain.
Charlie Hall Chase Betting Analysis
The 2026 race should be assessed once the declared runners, going and race conditions are available. Several contenders may be making their seasonal debut, so recent form alone will not provide the full picture.
Check each horse’s record when fresh
A previous strong performance after a break can be useful evidence that a horse is capable of running well on its first start of a new campaign.
Check the quality of the opposition it faced and the conditions of that earlier race. A win in a small field under favourable circumstances may be less informative than a strong performance against established graded chasers.
Trainer comments can provide context, but they should be considered alongside the horse’s record rather than treated as a guarantee of fitness.
Assess proven three-mile form
The Charlie Hall Chase requires a horse to stay approximately three miles. Look for previous performances at the distance and consider how strongly the runner finished.
A horse stepping up in trip may have the ability to stay, but that needs to be assessed rather than assumed. Conversely, a proven stayer must still have enough speed to hold its position if the race becomes tactical.
Review jumping under pressure
Grade 2 chases can expose weaknesses in jumping technique. A horse that loses ground at several fences may have to expend additional energy to recover.
Review previous chase performances for repeated mistakes, particularly when the horse has been challenged for the lead or asked to improve its position.
Consider the likely pace
A prominent runner may be able to control a small field if no rival challenges for the lead. Several horses with similar running styles can produce a stronger gallop.
Assess each runner’s usual position and whether the expected pace suits its strengths. Avoid assuming that a horse will reproduce its previous tactics in every race.
Compare the ground with previous performances
Autumn weather can change Wetherby’s going. A horse with strong form on good ground may not reproduce the same performance in softer conditions, and the reverse can also apply.
Check the official going report, the forecast and relevant previous races before deciding how much weight to place on a runner’s form.
Compare the available odds
The shortest-priced horse is not automatically the strongest betting proposition. Compare the available price with the horse’s demonstrated ability, fitness record and suitability for the expected conditions.
Bookmakers can offer different prices on the same runner. Our horse racing betting sites comparison explains the features to consider when comparing operators.
For analysis of the wider meeting, visit our Wetherby betting tips page.
Is the Charlie Hall Chase a Trial for the King George VI Chase?
The Charlie Hall Chase can be an important early-season race for horses being considered for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Cue Card won both races in 2015, while Bravemansgame completed the same double in 2022. Those examples show that a strong performance at Wetherby can form part of a successful campaign towards Kempton.
The two tracks present different challenges. Wetherby is a left-handed, galloping course, while Kempton is right-handed and places a different emphasis on speed and jumping rhythm.
A horse’s Wetherby performance should therefore be considered alongside its record at Kempton and on similar tracks. Read our King George VI Chase guide for more on the Boxing Day race.
Charlie Hall Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Charlie Hall Chase can feature horses whose longer-term ambitions include the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
A strong early-season run over three miles provides evidence of fitness and staying ability, but Cheltenham’s extended distance and demanding finish create a different test.
Connections may use the Charlie Hall Chase to assess a horse’s readiness before deciding on its next race. Those plans can change according to the result, ground and the horse’s recovery.
Our Cheltenham Gold Cup guide covers the championship race and its history.
Visiting Wetherby for Charlie Hall Chase Day
The Charlie Hall Chase is the feature race on the second day of Wetherby’s bet365 Charlie Hall meeting, scheduled for Saturday 31 October 2026.
Wetherby currently lists the first race at 12:35pm and the last at 4:03pm. These are meeting times and may change. The Charlie Hall Chase’s individual off-time should be checked when the final timetable is published.
The racecourse expects a large crowd for its principal autumn fixture. Check ticket availability, transport, parking and gate-opening information before travelling.
Our Wetherby Racecourse guide provides further information about the venue.
Charlie Hall Chase FAQs
When is the Charlie Hall Chase in 2026?
The bet365 Charlie Hall Chase is scheduled for Saturday 31 October 2026 at Wetherby Racecourse.
What time is the Charlie Hall Chase?
The individual 2026 off-time has not yet been confirmed. Wetherby currently lists the meeting’s first race for 12:35pm. Check the final racecard for the Charlie Hall Chase’s exact time.
Where is the Charlie Hall Chase run?
The race is run at Wetherby Racecourse in West Yorkshire.
How far is the Charlie Hall Chase?
The Charlie Hall Chase is run over approximately three miles. The final 2026 racecard will confirm the precise distance.
Is the Charlie Hall Chase a Grade 1 race?
No. The Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 steeplechase.
How old must a horse be to run in the Charlie Hall Chase?
The race is open to horses aged five and older.
How many fences are jumped in the Charlie Hall Chase?
The 2025 racecard listed 19 fences. Check the final 2026 racecard for the number scheduled in this year’s renewal.
Who won the Charlie Hall Chase in 2025?
Djelo won the 2025 race for trainer Venetia Williams and jockey Charlie Deutsch.
Who won the Charlie Hall Chase in 2024?
The Real Whacker won the 2024 renewal for trainer Patrick Neville and jockey Brian Hughes.
Did Cue Card win the Charlie Hall Chase?
Yes. Cue Card won in 2015 before winning the Betfair Chase and King George VI Chase later that season.
Has a Charlie Hall Chase winner also won the King George VI Chase?
Yes. Cue Card won both races in 2015, and Bravemansgame won both in 2022.
What matters most when assessing the Charlie Hall Chase?
Start with the declared runners, fitness after a break, proven three-mile form, jumping and the going. Then consider the likely pace and available odds.
Summary
The 2026 Charlie Hall Chase takes place at Wetherby on Saturday 31 October. The Grade 2 contest is an early-season test for established staying chasers over approximately three miles.
Previous winners include Cue Card, Bristol De Mai, Cyrname, Bravemansgame and Djelo. Their records show why the race is an important fixture in the British jump racing calendar.
The final declarations, going and race time will provide the basis for assessing this year’s renewal.
