Analysing the last five winners of the National Hunt Chase
The Cheltenham Festival's National Hunt Chase is a testament to endurance, expertise, and unyielding resolve — each renewal weaving its unique narrative into the fabric of the iconic Prestbury Park meeting.
The Cheltenham odds are in favour of the Willie Mullins-trained Embassy Gardens this year, as he looks to join a long list of winners who have captivated audiences with stunning displays at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Without further ado, let’s take a deep dive into the last five winners — reliving the drama and memorable performances that will go down in the race’s rich history.
Le Breuil – 2019
2019 saw the Ben Pauling-trained Le Breuil, ridden by top amateur Jamie Codd, stun Prestbury Park into silence with an unexpected triumph.
Overcoming the gruelling challenge, the then seven-year-old surged courageously up the hill to snatch victory by a narrow half-length margin from Discorama — defying odds of 14/1.
Le Breuil's tenacity and determination left a lasting mark on Cheltenham's hallowed grounds.
Ravenhill – 2020
The following year witnessed Codd pull off another upset, as the Gordon Elliott-trained Ravenhill seized a resounding victory.
Despite odds of 12/1, Ravenhill exhibited an impressive burst of speed in the final stages — leaving competitors trailing behind to secure a commanding victory over Lord Du Mesnil.
Changes to the distance and fence arrangements following a chaotic renewal in 2019 only resulted in a slight improvement, as six of the 14 starters managed to complete the race.
Galvin – 2021
Galvin flew to victory in 2021 with the adept handling of a young Jack Kennedy, handing Northern Irish trainer Ian Ferguson a rare Cheltenham Festival success as he briefly trained the horse in the absence of Gordon Elliott.
In a thrilling contest, Galvin surged ahead at the final hurdle — fending off challengers to claim a narrow victory from the nearest rival, Next Destination.
Galvin has won several high-profile races in the years that have followed, and he could add a Cross Country Chase to his record at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
Stattler - 2022
The 2022 National Hunt Chase pitted Elliott against his formidable rival Willie Mullins, who is the favourite in the Cheltenham 2024 top trainer betting.
With little separating the pre-race favourites Run Wild Fred and Stattler, the latter surged to an emphatic eight-length victory — leaving Elliott's contender trailing behind.
Mullins' expertise once again proved decisive in this thrilling clash.
Gaillard Du Mesnil – 2023
In 2023, Mullins continued his dominance over Elliott as Gaillard Du Mesnil clinched a dramatic win over Chemical Energy.
Despite starting as the 10/11 favourite, Gaillard Du Mesnil faced stiff competition from Chemical Energy, trailing by three lengths at the final hurdle.
However, under the expert guidance of Patrick Mullins, Gaillard Du Mesnil rallied in the closing stages to secure a memorable win as Chemical Energy could find nothing more to give under Codd.
Each year, the National Hunt Chase unfurls a tapestry of triumphs, setbacks, and unforgettable moments — embodying the essence of Cheltenham's timeless allure.
Whether it is Embassy Gardens or someone else who reigns supreme this year, there’s no doubt that the National Hunt Chase will be breathtaking.
