There will be a new name for the G1 novices’ chase run on day three of The Festival™ presented by Magners.
The contest previously run as the JLT Novices’ Chase will now be known as the Marsh Novices’ Chase. Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk adviser, acquired Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) in April, 2019.
Staged over two and a half miles, the Marsh Novices’ Chase has a prize fund of £150,000 and is the opening contest on day three, Thursday, 12th March. It was introduced to The Festival in 2011 and its intermediate distance falls between the G1 Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase (two miles) and the G1 RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (three miles).
In 2019, the Marsh Novices’ Chase was won by Defi du Seuil, who was gaining his second success at The Festival having previously taken the G1 JCB Triumph Hurdle in 2017.
Owned by JP McManus and trained by Philip Hobbs, Defi du Seuil is unbeaten in three outings so far this season, including the G1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday 18th January. He is a leading contender for this season’s G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at The Festival.
Pictured top: Defi du Seuil and connections after his win in 2019.
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