The Rising Stars Novices’ Chase is a Grade 2 contest for novice chasers at Wincanton and takes place in 2026 on Saturday 7 November.

Run over approximately two miles and four furlongs, the race is an early-season test for horses starting to establish themselves over fences. Seventeen fences need to be jumped around a sharp, right-handed Wincanton circuit where losing momentum at an obstacle can quickly put a novice under pressure.

The race has produced several horses that went on to achieve much more over fences. Silviniaco Conti, Frodon, Ga Law and Knappers Hill are among its previous winners, while Paul Nicholls has built an outstanding record in the race.

Blueking d’Oroux won the 2025 renewal for Nicholls and Harry Cobden.

The race forms part of Wincanton’s Badger Beer Ladies Day, one of the track’s major autumn meetings. The card also features the Badger Beer Handicap Chase and Elite Hurdle.

Our Wincanton Racecourse guide covers the track, facilities, fixtures and other major races staged at the Somerset course.

Why the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase Matters

The attraction of the Rising Stars is contained in its name.

These are novice chasers, but some arrive at Wincanton with high-class hurdle form and the potential to become much better over fences.

A novice chaser is not necessarily an inexperienced racehorse. Many runners have already contested strong hurdle races before switching disciplines.

What they have not necessarily established is how far their ability will transfer to chasing.

That gives the Rising Stars a different character from an ordinary open chase. Established ratings provide useful evidence, but jumping technique and the ability to race efficiently over fences can matter just as much.

Our guide to novice races in horse racing explains how novice eligibility works and why a novice can already have won over fences.

Wincanton Provides a Proper Test for a Novice Chaser

Wincanton is a sharp, right-handed National Hunt course.

That description can make it sound straightforward. It isn’t.

The bends and relatively short run-in make track position important, while the fences demand accurate jumping. The final three fences arrive quickly, giving a horse little time to recover from a significant mistake late in the race.

That makes the Rising Stars particularly revealing.

A novice with plenty of raw ability can still lose ground by jumping too carefully, getting too close to its fences or failing to maintain momentum on landing.

A more natural chaser can gain ground without appearing to do very much.

That is why hurdle ratings alone do not tell the complete story.

Jumping Comes First

The first thing to assess in the Rising Stars is how each runner has adapted to fences.

Look beyond whether the horse completed its previous chase.

Watch how it jumped.

A novice can get from one side of every fence to the other and still jump inefficiently.

Things worth noting include:

Fluency through the air
Speed away from each fence
Mistakes under pressure
Tendency to jump left or right
Confidence when racing close to another horse
Ability to shorten or lengthen stride approaching a fence
Jumping when the pace increases

A horse that continually loses half a length at its fences can give away several lengths during a race containing 17 obstacles.

The effect becomes even greater when a mistake occurs at one of Wincanton’s closing fences.

Hurdle Ability Still Matters

Chasing introduces a new skill, but established hurdle form remains useful.

A horse that performed at a high level over hurdles has already demonstrated its underlying racing ability.

The question is how effectively that ability transfers to fences.

Some good hurdlers improve when they go chasing. Their size, jumping technique or racing style can make fences a natural progression.

Others never become as effective over the larger obstacles.

This is why a high hurdle rating should be treated as evidence rather than a guarantee.

When a high-class hurdler makes the switch, compare its previous level of ability with what it has actually shown over fences.

The ideal profile is not simply the best hurdler.

It is a horse with strong underlying ability that also looks comfortable as a chaser.

Previous Chase Experience

Experience can be particularly valuable at Wincanton.

A horse making its chasing debut has more questions to answer than one that has already jumped fences successfully at racing speed.

That does not mean debutants should automatically be opposed.

Some horses are natural chasers from their first start.

Instead, separate what is known from what is assumed.

A runner with two or three chase starts gives you evidence about:

Jumping technique
Response to mistakes
Ability to race amongst other horses
Performance over the distance
How it handles pressure late in a chase

A debutant may have greater potential but less evidence.

That balance between proven ability and potential is central to analysing novice chases.

Why the Distance Matters

The Rising Stars is run over approximately two miles and four furlongs.

It sits between the specialist two-mile chase division and longer staying chases.

That makes it suitable for several types of novice.

Some runners have the speed for two miles but need further as their chasing careers develop. Others possess proven stamina over longer distances but have enough pace to cope with Wincanton’s sharper test.

The strongest candidate is often a horse that can travel comfortably at the pace while still finishing its race.

Previous form around two and a half miles is useful, but it is not essential if there is good evidence that the distance will suit.

Look at how the horse finishes its races rather than relying solely on the distance printed beside previous results.

Ground Can Change the Race

November ground at Wincanton can alter the demands of the Rising Stars considerably.

On a sound surface, the sharp nature of the course can put more emphasis on speed, position and slick jumping.

Softer ground makes the same distance more demanding.

That can favour a horse with greater stamina while exposing a runner whose best form has come in faster conditions.

Check the current going close to the meeting rather than relying on assumptions about what Wincanton is normally like in November.

Our horse racing going guide explains the main going descriptions and how ground conditions affect race analysis.

Pace and Track Position

Wincanton’s configuration makes the likely pace worth assessing before the race.

A novice that races prominently and jumps accurately can be difficult to peg back if allowed to settle into a rhythm.

A hold-up horse needs the race to develop differently.

It must stay in touch while jumping efficiently enough not to lose further ground, then find an opportunity to make its challenge.

That does not mean front-runners automatically have an advantage.

A contested early lead can put pressure on inexperienced jumpers and leave those horses vulnerable later.

Start by identifying the likely running style of each horse and build a picture of where they may be positioned.

Our horse racing pace maps guide explains how to approach that process.

Paul Nicholls and the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase

Paul Nicholls has an exceptional association with this race.

His winners include several very different types of chaser, from horses developing towards the highest level to established hurdlers successfully switching to fences.

Recent Nicholls winners include Frodon, Modus, Knappers Hill and Blueking d’Oroux.

That record makes his representative worth examining whenever he has a runner, particularly given the proximity of his Ditcheat yard to Wincanton.

It does not make the trainer’s runner an automatic selection.

Trainer records are most useful when they add context to the horse itself.

Look at the runner’s form, chase experience, jumping and suitability for Wincanton first.

Blueking d’Oroux Wins the 2025 Rising Stars

Blueking d’Oroux gave Paul Nicholls another victory in the race in 2025.

The six-year-old arrived with a high level of hurdle form but was still learning his job over fences.

His Wincanton performance illustrated why novice chases cannot be analysed purely through finishing positions.

Blueking d’Oroux made a mistake during the race and became outpaced before rallying. He recovered, took the lead at the final fence and defeated Breaking Cover by a length.

Rightsotom finished third.

The result showed both sides of novice-chase analysis.

Blueking d’Oroux possessed enough underlying ability to win a Grade 2, but his jumping and inexperience still gave his rider work to do.

That is exactly the type of distinction worth looking for when assessing future renewals.

Boombawn Wins in 2024

Boombawn won the 2024 Rising Stars for Dan Skelton.

His victory interrupted a particularly strong period for Paul Nicholls in the race and provided another example of a horse using the contest as an early-season opportunity to establish itself over fences.

Looking at recent renewals is more useful when the performances are placed in context rather than reduced to simple statistical trends.

Ask how experienced the winner was, what it had achieved previously and how well it jumped.

Those factors tell us more about the race than arbitrary rules based on the ages or starting prices of a small group of previous winners.

Recent Rising Stars Novices’ Chase Winners

The existing British Racecourses page stopped its winners table at 2023. The recent roll of honour now reads:

2025: Blueking d’Oroux, trained by Paul Nicholls
2024: Boombawn, trained by Dan Skelton
2023: Knappers Hill, trained by Paul Nicholls
2022: Hang In There, trained by Emma Lavelle
2021: Captain Tom Cat, trained by Richard Newland
2020: Ga Law, trained by Jamie Snowden
2019: Reserve Tank, trained by Colin Tizzard
2018: Bags Groove, trained by Harry Fry
2017: Modus, trained by Paul Nicholls
2016: Frodon, trained by Paul Nicholls
2015: Junction Fourteen, trained by Emma Lavelle
2014: Southfield Theatre, trained by Paul Nicholls
2013: Wonderful Charm, trained by Paul Nicholls

The list highlights Paul Nicholls’ influence, but it also shows that there is no single route to winning the race.

Famous Rising Stars Novices’ Chase Winners

The history of the Rising Stars contains horses that subsequently became familiar names in major British chases.

Silviniaco Conti

Silviniaco Conti won the Rising Stars in 2011.

He subsequently developed into one of the leading staying chasers of his era, winning major races including the King George VI Chase and Betfair Chase.

His career shows the level of horse that can emerge from an autumn novice chase at Wincanton.

Frodon

Frodon won the 2016 renewal as a four-year-old for Paul Nicholls.

He developed into a top-level chaser and became particularly associated with Bryony Frost.

His major victories included the Ryanair Chase and King George VI Chase.

Frodon’s progression is another reason the Rising Stars deserves attention beyond the result on the day.

Ga Law

Ga Law won in 2020 for Jamie Snowden.

He later established himself as a high-class chaser outside novice company, including victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The paths taken by Silviniaco Conti, Frodon and Ga Law also demonstrate that the Rising Stars does not produce one particular type of future chaser.

Some develop into stayers. Others are more effective over intermediate trips.

What Can the Rising Stars Tell Us About the Season Ahead?

The result can provide useful evidence, but it should not be overinterpreted.

A horse winning a Grade 2 novice chase in November has taken an important step.

It has not automatically become a future Grade 1 winner.

What matters is how the performance was achieved.

A winner that jumps accurately, travels strongly and finishes with something in hand can leave a different impression from a horse that scrambles home after rivals make mistakes.

The horses behind the winner also matter.

A strong race can produce several good chasers even when only one receives the Grade 2 victory.

That is why the race is worth revisiting later in the season rather than simply recording the result and moving on.

Where Can Rising Stars Horses Go Next?

There is no fixed route after Wincanton.

The right next race depends on the horse’s distance, experience and level of ability.

An intermediate-distance novice may continue in Graded novice chases through the winter before connections consider spring festivals.

A stronger stayer can move towards longer races.

A horse showing significant speed may remain around two or two and a half miles.

This is where the Rising Stars becomes useful as part of the wider novice-chase season.

The result can help answer three questions:

What level has the horse reached?
What distance appears to suit it?
Is its jumping ready for stronger company?

Those answers are more valuable than immediately attaching a Cheltenham target to every impressive winner.

How to Analyse the 2026 Rising Stars Novices’ Chase

The 2026 runners are not yet confirmed, so there is no value in pretending to provide runner-by-runner analysis at this stage.

When the field is known, start with chasing experience.

Watch previous chase runs where possible and note how efficiently each horse jumps.

Then compare the underlying form.

A high-class hurdler deserves respect, but assess whether its hurdle ability has transferred to fences.

Distance comes next. Look for evidence that two and a half miles suits the horse rather than relying solely on its most recent race.

Then consider Wincanton itself.

The sharp right-handed track and sequence of fences can expose a novice that struggles to maintain rhythm.

Finally, bring in the going and expected pace.

Our guide to analysing a horse race like a professional explains how to combine those factors without allowing one statistic to dominate the decision.

What to Check When the 2026 Runners Are Declared

Once declarations are available, the most useful checks are:

Previous chase starts and wins
Quality of hurdle form
Jumping accuracy
Form around two and a half miles
Going record
Right-handed course experience
Recent fitness
Likely running style
Trainer form
Confirmed jockey booking

This is also the point at which the page should be updated with the actual runners rather than potential entries.

Wincanton Tips on Rising Stars Day

The Rising Stars is part of one of Wincanton’s strongest meetings of the season.

The same Saturday card also features the Badger Beer Handicap Chase and Elite Hurdle, creating a mixture of novice, handicap and Graded racing.

Readers looking for selections across the meeting can use our Wincanton betting tips page closer to the fixture.

That is a better home for short-lived race-day selections. This page can remain focused on the Rising Stars itself, its history and the factors that matter when analysing the race.

Readers who want to compare bookmakers for British jump racing can also use our Best Horse Racing Betting Sites comparison.

How to Watch the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase

Wincanton is covered by Racing TV.

The final race time and broadcast details should be checked closer to Saturday 7 November.

Some bookmakers also provide live racing streams subject to their current account and viewing conditions.

Our Racing TV guide explains more about watching British racing through the specialist channel.

Rising Stars Novices’ Chase FAQs

When is the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase 2026?

The 2026 Rising Stars Novices’ Chase is due to take place at Wincanton on Saturday 7 November.

Where is the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase run?

The race takes place at Wincanton Racecourse in Somerset.

How far is the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase?

The race is run over approximately two miles and four furlongs.

How many fences are jumped?

There are 17 fences to jump.

What grade is the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase?

It is a Grade 2 National Hunt novice chase.

Which horses can run in the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase?

The race is open to eligible novice chasers aged four and older.

What is a novice chaser?

A novice chaser is a horse that remains eligible for novice company under the relevant chase rules. A novice can already have extensive experience over hurdles and can also have won over fences while remaining eligible for novice races.

Who won the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase in 2025?

Blueking d’Oroux won the 2025 race for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden, beating Breaking Cover.

Who won in 2024?

Boombawn won the 2024 Rising Stars Novices’ Chase for Dan Skelton.

Which trainer has a particularly strong Rising Stars record?

Paul Nicholls has an outstanding record in the race. His winners include Wonderful Charm, Southfield Theatre, Frodon, Modus, Knappers Hill and Blueking d’Oroux.

Did Frodon win the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase?

Yes. Frodon won the race in 2016 before developing into a Grade 1 chaser.

Did Silviniaco Conti win the race?

Yes. Silviniaco Conti won in 2011 before going on to become one of Britain’s leading staying chasers.

Is the Rising Stars run on the same day as the Badger Beer Chase?

Yes. In 2026 the Rising Stars forms part of Wincanton’s Badger Beer Ladies Day on Saturday 7 November, alongside the Badger Beer Handicap Chase and Elite Hurdle.

Where can I find Wincanton tips?

Our Wincanton betting tips page covers selections and analysis when racing takes place at the course.

Responsible Betting

Novice chases contain additional uncertainty because horses are still gaining experience over fences.

A high hurdle rating does not guarantee that a horse will become an equally good chaser, while one jumping mistake can change a race quickly.

If you bet on the Rising Stars or any other race, set your stake in advance and only bet what you can afford to lose.

Summary

The Rising Stars Novices’ Chase is a Grade 2 race at Wincanton for novice chasers aged four and older.

The 2026 renewal is scheduled for Saturday 7 November as part of Badger Beer Ladies Day.

The race is run over approximately two miles and four furlongs and contains 17 fences.

Wincanton’s sharp, right-handed circuit makes jumping rhythm and track position particularly important. Previous hurdle ability provides useful evidence, but the Rising Stars is ultimately a test of how successfully a horse has adapted to chasing.

Paul Nicholls has an exceptional record in the race, while previous winners such as Silviniaco Conti, Frodon and Ga Law show that it can produce horses capable of much better performances later in their careers.

Blueking d’Oroux won the 2025 renewal for Nicholls and Harry Cobden.

Once the 2026 field is declared, the main factors to assess will be chase experience, jumping, distance suitability, ground, pace and Wincanton suitability.

For the wider meeting, our Wincanton betting tips page provides the natural next step closer to race day.

Rising Stars Novices’ Chase 2026