European Breeders’ Fund Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final

The EBF Novices Handicap Hurdle Final is open to four-year-olds and upwards over two and a half miles.

It takes place at Sandown Park in March and is the final of a series of qualifiers.

The first four qualify for the final, and notable past winners include Albertas Run (2007), As De Mee (2015), Third Wind (2019) and McFabulous (2020).

Find out more about the European Breeders Fund Novices Handicap Hurdle:

Race Overview – The European Breeders Fund Novices Hurdle

Horses between the ages of four and seven can compete in the Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race known as the European Breeders Fund Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final.

There are nine hurdles to clear throughout the race, which is raced at Sandown Park over a distance of around 2 miles and 4 furlongs (2 miles, 3 furlongs, and 173 yards, or 3,980 metres).

Famous European Breeders Fund Novices Handicap Hurdle Winners

The race was first run in 1998, with victory going to the Richard Rowe-trained Montroe.

2007 winner Albertas Run is the most famous winner of the EBF Novices Hurdle final to date. He won the race for Jonjo O’Neill and Tony McCoy and went on to win the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in 2008. The biggest victories of his career were back-to-back wins in the Ryanair Chase in 2010 and 2011. Albertas Run also won the Melling Chase at Aintree in 2010.

In 2015, Paul Nicholls won it with As De Mee, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies. He was placed in Grade 1 races the following season, including the Scilly Isles Novices Chase. In 201,6, he gained the biggest victory of his career in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree, beating 16 rivals as the 4-1 favourite.

2019 winner Third Wind became a high-class hurdler, winning the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock in 2021. Hughie Morrison’s gelding ran the race of his life to win the Pertemps Network Final at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. He battled on bravely to beat Alaphilippe by a neck at odds of 25-1.

Nicholls struck again in 2020 with McFabulous, the 5-2 market leader. He has gone on to win three Grade 2 races over hurdles and a Grade 2 over fences.

Key European Breeders Fund Novices Handicap Hurdle Trials

The winners of this race have come from a wide range of qualifiers across the country.

Only one of the last twelve winners had a previous victory at Sandown Park, and only three had won on their most recent outing.

Due to the proximity of the Cheltenham Festival, novice and handicap events at Aintree are a more likely objective for winners of this race.

Five of the last twelve winners won next time out, which compares favourably with other handicap races.

European Breeders Fund Novices Handicap Hurdle Betting Trends

McFabulous was the only winning favourite in the past 12 renewals.

As De Mee (2015) started 8-1 third favourite, but the other ten winners did not feature in the first three in the betting.

The longest-priced winner in recent years was 28-1 outsider Beauport in 2021.

Other long-priced winners include Brave Vic (2014) at 20-1, Ambion Wood (2012) and Barney Dwan (2016), both returned 14-1.

Horses aged five and six have been completely dominant since the seven-year-old Tana River won in 2003.

European Breeders Fund Novices Handicap Hurdle – Top Trainers and Jockeys

Paul Nicholls leads the trainer stats with four victories: Red Harbour (2010), As De Mee (2015), McFabulous (2020) and Complete Unknown (2022).

Nicky Henderson won it with Skint (2011) and Close Touch (2013). Tony McCoy and Barry Geraghty each rode the winner on two occasions.

Betting on the European Breeders Fund Novices Handicap Hurdle

Bookmakers have definitely held the upper hand in this race over the years. There are always large fields and each-way betting opportunities with extra place terms down to fifth or sixth place.

Paul Nicholls usually has a live contender for this event.

European Breeders’ Fund Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final Facts

• The European Breeders’ Fund Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final is a National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older.
• The race is run at Sandown over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres), with nine hurdles to be jumped.
• The race was first run in 1998.

Summary of the European Breeders’ Fund Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final

Thank you for checking out our European Breeders’ Fund Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final guide.

We have looked at history, form, betting, tips, and more, so you have all the information you need, whether you’re watching the race or placing a bet.