Steeplechasing glory is the pinnacle of the National Hunt game, and one of the most exciting parts of the early season is seeing last season’s hurdlers embark on their novice chase campaigns.
While the weekend will no doubt provide us with many a talented chaser, here are some midweek steeplechasing contests you shouldn’t miss.
Tuesday 14:00 – Fairyhouse
Four years ago, we saw Gerri Colombe make a successful chasing debut at Fairyhouse, before going on to be a dual Grade 1-winning novice chaser that season and finishing second in a Gold Cup a year later.
Gordon Elliott has entered four in an attempt to follow up that glory, including the 148-rated hurdler Ballyfad. The Tirwanako gelding cost €175,000 following his point-to-point success in 2025, and he won his first three contests for Gordon Elliott last season before being beaten a short head at the Dublin Racing Festival.
He took a backwards step at Cheltenham, but got back on track when third in Grade 1 company at Aintree, and chasing can see him scale new heights.
Willie Mullins has two pitched in against him, including Coral Cup third Storm Heart. He was a talented juvenile, including at the Dublin Racing Festival, though he was seen just once the following season. He returned in winning form last year and could have untapped potential going chasing.
Mullins also has Kel Histoire, one of three in here for JP McManus, and his green and gold silks should be viewed carefully with an eye on the Festival handicaps.
Wednesday 13:00 – Bangor-on-Dee
The Listed mares’ novices’ chase at Bangor-on-Dee has thrown up some smart mares in recent years, and this renewal has attracted some potentially smart types.
Jubilee Alpha has been switched from Paul Nicholls to the Faye Bramley yard, which had Listed success with a new mare recruit in Paganne last season.
Jubilee Alpha was disappointing on the whole last season following her two Listed wins as a novice, as she went 0-5 in open company. By Flemensfirth out of a King’s Theatre mare related to winning chasers, she can thrive in this new discipline.
Fergal O’Brien fields Siog Geal, who’s steadily progressed in each of her races under rules. A winning pointer, she can continue her improvement.
Connections of Sunset Marquesa saw Diamond Ri step up markedly on his hurdles form to make a winning chase debut at Ffos Las earlier this season, and Sunset Marquesa shouldn’t be written off. She’s been consistent for Joe Tizzard, though slightly disappointing at times; however, connections deemed her classy enough to line up in the Mares’ Hurdle last season, and she’s bred to make a better chaser.
Wednesday 13:10 – Ayr
There’s still some excitement to be had in this three-runner beginners’ chase at Ayr, for multiple reasons. Jeriko Du Reponet has already had six chase starts, which defeats the object of this initiative somewhat, but he was sent off favourite for the Kim Muir last season, having caught the eye on multiple occasions in his qualifying runs.
He lost little in defeat on his seasonal debut, with the winner following up at Aintree last weekend. Eyes will be drawn to him once more.
Welonlyhavedone was behind Jeriko Du Reponet on his chase debut when never put into the race, but he has multiple bits of form to suggest he can make his mark over fences, perhaps in a competitive handicap.
Lucinda Russell is often on the money with her novice chasers at this time of year, and Stride On has the makings of a smart one. A bumper winner in 2025, he was disappointing in the early part of last season like a lot of the yard’s runners, but got back on track with a 17-length success at Ayr, before bumping into the highly regarded Apache Tribe.
Wednesday 13:50 – Warwick
A small but select field of four novices make their chase debuts in handicap company at Warwick on Wednesday, at a course that requires a bold, assured jumper.
Fresh Perspective in particular is a fascinating type, as he’s a predominantly Flat-bred gelding from a typically smart Juddmonte line. He was a winning pointer for Will Biddick in 2024 and landed two hurdles last season before coming unstuck in Listed company.
Adonedeal was also a dual winner over hurdles last season, but his form tailed off in the second half. A 17-length winner on his sole point start, he can return to form over the larger obstacles.
Crystal Days receives weight from the pair, and she finished last season in good form here over hurdles. By Diamond Boy with winning chasers in the family, a mark of 109 could underestimate her.
Soldiers Leap has done his winning at lower levels, but he was second in a point-to-point and is also from a family of winning chasers.