The opening race is the Marsh Novices’ Chase, registered as the Golden Miller, and is the chase equivalent of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Run over the intermediate trip of two and a half miles, the race has gone to an Irish-trained horse on all but three occasions since its inception in 2011. It often produces breathtaking displays such as Vautour’s flawless 15-length demolition job in 2015, and late drama such as Samcro’s win by a nose from Melon in 2020 and Galopin Des Champs’ final-fence fall with the race at his mercy last year. It should get St Patrick’s Day off to a flying start.
