2025 Hampton Novices Chase Tips

The first two in the betting market for the Hampton Novices Chase were successful in their most recent outing, with Handstands having landed a notable victory last time out. The six-year-old was able to triumph at Sandown in early December when winning the Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase by three and a half lengths.

Cherie d’Am is a year older and Dan Skelton has a runner who was successful when winning at Warwick in mid-December, with the seven-year-old now returning to the Midlands track in an attempt to seal another victory. It was a seven length success for the mare who performed well over two miles and four furlongs on that occasion.

Resplendent Grey was sent off as favourite in the most recent Sandown encounter before losing out to Handstands, with the horse previously finishing second to Hyland in a listed race at Cheltenham in mid-November. The runner did oblige at Uttoxeter when scoring over two miles and four furlongs by five and a half lengths.

Saint Davy and Johnnywho are also operating at single figure betting odds and the former is trained by Jonjo O’Neill, with the horse finishing third last time out. He has four lengths to find on Handstands after that performance, with Johnnywho winning at Carlisle back in October although the horse was well off the pace at Ascot last time out.

2024 Hampton Novices' Chase Tips

Broadway Boy is a horse that stands an excellent chance of landing another victory for the season, with Nigel Twiston-Davies saddling a six-year-old who will be carrying more weight than any other horse in this encounter. The horse was last seen triumphing at Cheltenham when obliging over three miles and two furlongs in December and has to have claims.

The horse was previously successful at the same track when winning over three miles, half a furlong. That came after finishing second to Flooring Porter at the end of October. Grey Dawning could be the fiercest challenger and the seven-year-old was able to finish second at Cheltenham when finishing just behind Ginny’s Destiny in December.

Apple Away also boasts a strong track record and the horse was last seen scoring at Leicester Racecourse when fending off two other rivals, although the charge was a good fourteen lengths behind Grey Dawning at Haydock back in November. Last spring, we saw the horse oblige with a victory at Doncaster and Aintree after triumphing at Ayr.

Brave Kingdom has racked up back to back victories and the eight-year-old could go well for trainer Paul Nicholls, with successes coming at Plumpton and Newbury this season. There could be more to come from a horse who has recently had wind surgery, with The Changing Man likely to be a popular each-way selection although he unseated his rider last time out.

2023 Hampton Novices Tips

Complete Unknown looks set to go off favourite for the Hampton Novices’ Chase and the Paul Nicholls-trained charge was fairly impressive at Ffos Las last time out. The seven-year-old was sent off at 15/8 and duly obliged with a victory over two miles and five furlongs, although he will be stepping up in trip here and it will be interesting to see whether he stays the course.

Minella Crooner is a talented horse from the Gordon Elliott stable and the seven-year-old could be vying for favouritism according to the latest racing odds. It’s always hard to equate the Irish form with that in the UK, although the horse was able to oblige at Fairyhouse in a Beginners Chase at the beginning of December and perhaps there is more to come from this runner.

As mentioned, Nicholls has more than one lively contender for this race and Stage Star could be the best each-way value in the race. With eight runners lining up, there could be a chance to secure three places and there wasn’t a lot to discern from the horse winning a two-runner race at Plumpton, although the horse did beat West Cork in a Novices’ Chase at Warwick in November.

Galia Des Liteaux is another interesting runner and Dan Skelton will hope that his charge bounces back after being pulled up in his last outing. City Chief is an interesting runner for Nicky Henderson although he will have to find improvement on last season, with a fifth placed finish in a competitive Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown a fairly strong showing.