Run as part of a huge day of racing at Wincanton Racecourse alongside both the Elite Hurdle and the Badger Beers Silver Trophy, the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase is one of the key early season races for young chasers. The event takes place over 2½ miles and features 17 fences.
Worth some £32,000 and carrying Grade 2 status, the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase is seen as important for first and second season chasers and has been won in the past by such eminent types as See More Business, Bindaree, Comply Or Die, Silviniaco Conti and Frodon, who all won either at Cheltenham or Aintree in major races subsequently.
The Rising Stars Novices’ Chase was previously held at Chepstow, home of the Welsh Grand National and for a while was run in February, though since ’94 it has been run in November and since 2004 has been staged at Wincanton’s popular meeting.