Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase

The Wayward Lad Novices Chase is a Grade 2 race over two miles at Kempton Park in late December.

It is named in honour of the three times King George VI Chase winner and is an important trial for the Arkle Trophy Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Notable past winners include Remittance Man (1990), Sprinter Sacre (2011), Dodging Bullets (2013) and Altior (2016).

Find out more about the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase:

Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase

Race Overview – Wayward Lads Novices Chase

Horses must be four years old or older to compete in the Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase.

It takes place in Kempton Park over a course that is roughly 2 miles (3,219 metres) long, and there are twelve fences that must be jumped. It takes place each year in late December during the course’s Christmas Festival, and it is for novice chasers.

Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase 2023 Odds

The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase odds are listed below:

1.20 Kempton (Race 2) - BOG
  • Date: Tuesday 27th of December 2022
  • Time: 13:20
  • Details: 4 Runners Chase Chase 2m 0f 0y
4 Lac De Constance
11/8
2 Boothill
6/4
1 Aucunrisque
13/2
3 Glory And Fortune
8/1

Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase 2023 Tips

The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase tips are below:

2 points to win for TBC at odds of TBC
1 point each way for TBC at odds of TBC

Many Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase horses will race in more races throughout the years. Stay updated on the horses and place ante-post bets if you want to wager on them.

Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase Previous Winners

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer
1988Star's Delight6Hywel DaviesRon Hodges
1989Celtic Shot7Peter ScudamoreCharlie Brooks
1990Remittance Man6Richard DunwoodyNicky Henderson
1991Poetic Gem6Mark PerrettSue Smith
1992Dusty Miller6Mark RichardsSimon Sherwood
1993Bas de Laine7Mark RichardsOliver Sherwood
1994High Baron7Richard DunwoodyRobert Alner
1996Greenback5Norman WilliamsonPhilip Hobbs
1997Angelo's Double9Brendan PowellBob Buckler
1998Hoh Express6Andrew ThorntonPaul Webber
2000Dusk Duel5Mick FitzgeraldNicky Henderson
2001Fondmort5Mick FitzgeraldNicky Henderson
2002Epervier d'Or4Ruby WalshPaul Nicholls
2003Caracciola6Mick FitzgeraldNicky Henderson
2004no race 2004[a]
2005Hoo La Baloo[b]4Ruby WalshPaul Nicholls
2006Jack the Giant4Tom DoyleNicky Henderson
2007Mahogany Blaze5Paddy BrennanNigel Twiston-Davies
2008Original6James DaviesMarcel Rolland
2009Riverside Theatre5Barry GeraghtyNicky Henderson
2004no race 2010 [c]
2011Sprinter Sacre5Barry GeraghtyNicky Henderson
2012Simonsig6Barry GeraghtyNicky Henderson
2013Dodging Bullets5Daryl JacobPaul Nicholls
2014Vibrato Valtat5Noel FehilyPaul Nicholls
2015Ar Mad5Josh MooreGary Moore
2016Altior6Noel FehilyNicky Henderson
2017Cyrname5Sean BowenPaul Nicholls
2018Dynamite Dollars5Harry CobdenPaul Nicholls
2019Global Citizen7David BassBen Pauling
2020Shishkin6Nico de BoinvilleNicky Henderson
2021Edwardstone7Tom CannonAlan King
2022Boothill7Jonathan BurkeHarry Fry

Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase Previous Result

Famous Wayward Lad Novices Chase Winners

The Wayward Lad Novices Chase has a remarkable history of producing future Champion chasers.

Remittance Man (1990) set the standard by taking the 1991 Arkle and the 1992 Champion Chase.

Trainer Nicky Henderson has subsequently used this well-trodden path for the likes of Sprinter Sacre, Simonsig, Altior and Shishkin.

The big names among the Paul Nicholls-trained winners are Dodging Bullets (2013) and Cyrname (2017). The former added his name to the roll of honour in the Champion Chase in 2015.

Cyrname became the highest-rated steeplechaser in training when ending the record 19-race unbeaten run of Altior at Ascot in November 2019.

Alan King’s Edwardstone (2021) maintained the high quality of winners here by going on to win the Arkle impressively.

Key Wayward Lad Novices Chase Trials

The key trial for the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase is the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown. Five of the last eleven winners won both races.

Nine of those eleven horses had won last time and all but one of them had raced within the past forty days.

Three recent Wayward Lad winners ran in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury next time with Sprinter Sacre (2011) and Altior (2016) winning both races.

The Arkle Trophy is the big target for winners of this race with eight of the last eleven running in that event at Cheltenham. Five of them were successful; Sprinter Sacre, Simonsig, Altior, Shishkin and Edwardstone.

Wayward Lad Novices Chase Betting Trends

There have been four winning favourites in the past eleven years, the shortest priced being Altior at a prohibitive 1-9 in 2016.

There have also been six winning second favourites during that period.

The only minor surprise was provided by 8-1 chance Global Citizen in 2019.

Horses aged five to seven have dominated in recent years.

There have been three winning four-year-olds but they all came between 2002 and 2006.

The oldest winner was the nine-year-old Angelo’s Double in 1997.

A rating of 152 or higher is usually required to win this race.

Wayward Lad Novices Chase – Top Trainers and Jockeys

Nicky Henderson has successfully farmed this race with a record ten winners; Remittance Man (1990), Dusk Duel (2000), Fondmort (2001), Caracciola (2003), Jack The Giant (2006), Riverside Theatre (2009), Sprinter Sacre (2011), Simonsig (2012), Altior (2016) and Shishkin (2020).

Paul Nicholls has six race victories; Epervier d’Or (2002), Hoo La Baloo (2005), Dodging Bullets (2013), Vibrato Valtat (2014), Cyrname (2017) and Dynamite Dollars (2018).

Two jockeys have won the Wayward Lad on three occasions, Mick Fitzgerald and Barry Geraghty. All six horses were trained by Henderson.

Betting on the Wayward Lad Novices Chase

This race has been dominated by the first two in the betting market and shock results are rare. Nicky Henderson’s record is incredible in this race, as is the record of winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

A race that often launches the career of a future winner of the Arkle, the Champion Chase or the Ryanair.

Wayward Lad Novices Chase Facts

  • The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older.
  • The race is run over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres) at Kempton Park Racecourse, usually during the month of December.
  • The race was first run in 1987 and has been won by some of the most successful horses in National Hunt racing, including Best Mate, Kauto Star, and Denman.
  • The most successful jockey in the race is Tony McCoy, who has won the race four times.
  • The most successful trainer in the race is Paul Nicholls, who has won the race six times.
  • The average winning time for the race is 4 minutes and 12 seconds.

Popular Questions

When is the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase?

The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase takes place on Tuesday 27th December 2023 at Kempton Park.

What are important facts about Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase?

Here are some important facts about Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase:

  • The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase is run at Kempton Park, Great Britain
  • The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase is for horses aged 4 and older
  • The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase is a National Hunt Steeplechase in Great Britain
  • The Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase distance is about 2 miles

Summary of Wayward Lad Novices Chase

Thank you for reading our Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase guide.

We have looked at the history of the race, a betting guide, facts, tips and more, so you have everything you need if placing a bet or just wanting to enjoy the race.

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As the Founder of British Racecourses, I have a life-long passion for horse racing and have loved the sport as long as I can remember. I am also a keen racehorse owner and have worked in the gambling industry for several years. I set up British Racecourses with the desire to share my passion for racing with other like-minded people.