Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle

Horses four years old may compete in the Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle, a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle competition in Great Britain.

The Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 2 race for four-year-olds and upwards over an extended two miles.

It is staged at Cheltenham in January and is a recognised trial for the Triumph Hurdle in March. Katchit (2007), Peace And Co (2015) and Defi Du Seuil (2017) won both races.

The Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle is held in January every year.

Find out more about the Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle:

Race Overview – Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle

There are eight hurdles to clear during the race, which is held on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of around 2 miles and 1 furlong (2 miles and 179 yards, or 3,382 metres).

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Famous Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle Winners

The Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (also known as the Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle) was established in 1985. The inaugural running was won by Out of The Gloom, trained by Peter Easterby and ridden by Jonjo O’Neill.

Although many of the winners have gone on to better things, it was not until Katchit in 2007 that a winning horse managed to win the Triumph. In 1999 the race was won by Hors La Loi III, trained by Francois Doumen in France. He was then moved to the Martin Pipe stable and won Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, a remarkable achievement for a juvenile. He later joined James Fanshawe’s stable in Newmarket from where he won the 2002 Champion Hurdle.

Katchit provided the Finesse with a second Champion Hurdle winner. He was also the first of three successive victories in this race for Trainer Alan King. Katchit won the Triumph in 2007 and the Champion in 2008. Peace And Co (2015) and Defi Du Seuil (2017) also completed the Finesse- Triumph double for Nicky Henderson and Philip Hobbs respectively.

Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle Previous Result

Key Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle Trials

Four of the last twelve winners of this race ran in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on their previous outing. Two were successful in both races; Le Rocher (2013) and Defi Du Seuil (2016). Seven of the last eleven winners contested the Triumph Hurdle next time. Peace And Co (2015) and Defi Du Seuil (2017) won both races and two others were placed at the Festival.

Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle Betting Trends

Five clear favourites and one joint-favourite have won the Finesse in the last eleven renewals. The winning favourites were Grumeti (Joint-favourite 2012), Peace And Co (2015), Defi Du Seuil (2017), Apple’s Shakira (2018), Pied Piper (2022) and Comfort Zone (2023). Only two of those eleven winners were not in the first three in the betting; Galahad Quest won at 6-1 in 2020 and Protek Des Flos was a shock 25-1 winner in 2016.

Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle – Top Trainers and Jockeys

Nicky Henderson is the leading trainer in the history of the race with five winners; Mister Banjo (2000), Rolling Star (2013), Peace And Co (2015), Protek Des Flos (2016) and Apple’s Shakira (2018). Alan King is just one behind on four, all coming within a six-year-period between 2007 and 2012. Robert Thornton and Barry Geraghty share the top riding honours with four winners apiece.

Betting on the Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle

The Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle has often gone the way of the favourite and is a useful stepping-stone to the Triumph Hurdle in March. Entries from the Henderson and King stables are certainly worth noting and shock results here are few and far between.

Facts about the Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle

• The Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle is a National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to four-year-old horses.
• It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of 2 miles and 1 furlong, and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped.

Summary of the Finesse Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle

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