Lightning Novices' Chase

The Lightning Novices’ Chase is a prestigious Grade 2 hurdle race run at Windsor Racecourse on the third Saturday in January each year. The race is run over two miles and there are twelve fences to be jumped. The race is worth approximately £42,000 to the winning connections. The race is open to novice chasers aged five and older.

Lightning Novices’ Chase Overview

The Lightning Novices’ Chase is a prestigious Grade 2 chase that sees many aspiring young chasers turn up to compete for this £42,000 first prize. This race focuses their mind on jumping fences as there are twelve to be jumped over the minimum two-mile trip.

Notable winners of this race in the past include Shishkin, Third Time Lucki and Mister Fisher.

Lightning Novices’ Chase Betting Trends and Statistics

The leading trainer in the Lightning Novices’ Chase in recent years is Nicky Henderson who has won the race three times. His winners have been with Shishkin (2021), Mister Fisher (2020) and Vaniteux (2015). Alan King has also won this race on two occasions with Sceau Royal (2018) and Valdez (2014).

This is a great race for favourite backers. Seven out of the last eleven winners of this race were sent off as favourites. Nico De Boinville has won the race twice when riding for Nicky Henderson and French and Irish Bred horses tend to dominate this particular race.

Lightning Novices’ Chase History

The Lightning Novices’ Chase was first run in 1979 and was originally held at Ascot Racecourse, contested over a distance of 2 miles. It was then switched to alternative venues for three years beginning in 2005, and it returned to Ascot with a distance of 2 miles and 1 furlong back in 2008.

The race was then transferred to Doncaster Racecourse in 2010, and at the same time, its length was cut by 110 yards. It was then run in late January or early February (weather-dependent).

In April 2023, the British Horseracing Authority announced that the race would be moved to Lingfield Park and would be run one week earlier as part of a restructuring of the 2023/24 programme.

The race was transferred to Windsor in 2025 and run as part of the Berkshire Million Weekend.

This race is seen as an appetiser for the Arkle Chase and is seen as a trial for that race at the Cheltenham Festival six weeks down the line. Although only one horse in recent history has managed to win both races.

Lightning Novices’ Chase Winners