St James's Place Festival Hunter Chase

{{Short description|Steeplechase horse race in Britain}}

{{redirect|Foxhunter Chase|the race at Aintree|Fox Hunters' Chase}}

{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}

{{Infobox horseraces

|class = Ungraded

|horse race = St James's Place Festival Hunter Chase

|image =

|caption =

|location = Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England

|inaugurated = 1904

|race type = Hunter chase

|sponsor = St. James's Place plc

|website = [https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/ Cheltenham]

|distance = 3m 2f 70y (5,294 metres)

|surface = Turf

|track = Left-handed

|qualification = Five-years-old and up

|weight = 11 st 10 lb (5yo);
12 st 0 lb (6yo+)
Allowances
7 lb for mares

|purse = £50,000 (2023)
1st: £24,445

|bonuses =

}}

{{Jockey colours header

| name = Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2025

| image1 = File:Owner Mr J O'leary.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, white chevron, white and royal blue chevrons on sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Wonderwall

| image2 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption2 = Its On The Line

| image3 = File:Owner Noel Moran.svg

| alt3 = White, emerald green chevrons, red cap

| caption3 = Willitgoahead

}}

|}

{{Jockey colours collapsible header}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2024

| image1 = File:Owner Mr R Tate.svg

| alt1 = Gold, maroon hoops, gold sleeves

| caption1 = Sine Nomine

| image2 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption2 = Its On The Line

| image3 = File:Owner G and S Capper M and C Kennerley M Loran.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, maroon diamond, white sleeves, light blue cap, maroon diamond

| caption3 = Time Leader

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2023

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Julian Sherriff.svg

| alt1 = Pink, black hoop, hooped sleeves, black cap

| caption1 = Premier Magic

| image2 = File:Owner Emmet Mullins.svg

| alt2 = Black, red epaulets, chevrons on sleeves, black cap, red star

| caption2 = Its On The Line

| image3 = File:Owner M L Marsh.svg

| alt3 = Violet and white check, white cap

| caption3 = Shantou Flyer

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2022

| image1 = File:Owner J Turner_horse.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, black horse, yellow sleeves, black seams, yellow cap, black tassel

| caption1 = Billaway

| image2 = File:Owner Miss Jennifer O'Kane.svg

| alt2 = Purple, yellow stars, red and yellow striped sleeves, red cap, black star

| caption2 = Winged Leader

| image3 = File:Owner Camilla Sharples.svg

| alt3 = Grey, orange star, dark blue sleeves, dark blue cap, orange star

| caption3 = Mighty Stowaway

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2021

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John Studd.svg

| alt1 = Red, dark blue hoops and armlets, quartered cap

| caption1 = Porlock Bay

| image2 = File:Owner J Turner_horse.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, black horse, yellow sleeves, black seams, yellow cap, black tassel

| caption2 = Billaway

| image3 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption3 = Staker Wallace

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2020-2011 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2020

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Alurie O'Sullivan.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, royal blue chevrons, halved sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = It Came To Pass

| image2 = File:Owner J Turner_horse.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, black horse, yellow sleeves, black seams, yellow cap, black tassel

| caption2 = Billaway

| image3 = File:Owner David Maxwell Racing Limited.svg

| alt3 = Red, brown sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Shantou Flyer

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2019

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs D Williams.svg

| alt1 = Straw, blue and straw quartered cap

| caption1 = Hazel Hill

| image2 = File:Owner David Maxwell Racing Limited.svg

| alt2 = Red, brown sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Shantou Flyer

| image3 = File:Owner Mr J R Weatherby.svg

| alt3 = Black, white cross belts, diabolo on sleeves

| caption3 = Top Wood

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2018

| image1 = File:Owner The Stewart Family.svg

| alt1 = Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Pacha Du Polder

| image2 = File:Owner Mr J R Weatherby.svg

| alt2 = Black, white cross belts, diabolo on sleeves

| caption2 = Top Wood

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs Peter Andrews.svg

| alt3 = Grey and maroon diamonds, grey sleeves

| caption3 = Barel Of Laughs

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2017

| image1 = File:Owner The Stewart Family.svg

| alt1 = Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Pacha Du Polder

| image2 = File:Owner R J H Geffen and Sir John Ritblat.svg

| alt2 = Purple, red epaulets

| caption2 = Wonderful Charm

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs Peter Andrews.svg

| alt3 = Grey and maroon diamonds, grey sleeves

| caption3 = Barel of Laughs

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2016

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = On The Fringe

| image2 = File:Owner James Marley.svg

| alt2 = White and red (quartered), white and black hooped sleeves, royal blue cap

| caption2 = Marito

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs Jill Eynon.svg

| alt3 = Dark green and orange (quartered), dark green sleeves, hooped cap

| caption3 = Paint The Clouds

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2015

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = On The Fringe

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs D J Ralph.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, royal blue sleeves, yellow diamonds, royal blue and white quartered cap

| caption2 = Following Dreams

| image3 = File:Owner Mr P A Deal.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, yellow cross belts, collar and cuffs, striped cap

| caption3 = Paint The Clouds

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2014

| image1 = File:Owner Patrick J Smyth.svg

| alt1 = White, emerald green sleeves, purple cap

| caption1 = Tammys Hill

| image2 = File:Owner Mr J T Monaghan.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue, yellow stars, yellow and royal blue hooped sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Carsonstown Boy

| image3 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption3 = On The Fringe

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2013

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs J B Sweeney.svg

| alt1 = Dark green, grey epaulets, striped cap

| caption1 = Salsify

| image2 = File:Owner Mr H Wilson.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue, yellow star, halved sleeves and star on cap

| caption2 = Divine Intavention

| image3 = File:Owner Mr R J Hewitt.svg

| alt3 = Brown, green diamond and sleeves, orange cap

| caption3 = Cottage Oak

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2012

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs J B Sweeney.svg

| alt1 = Dark green, grey epaulets, striped cap

| caption1 = Salsify

| image2 = File:Owner Mr D A Johnson.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots

| caption2 = Chapoturgeon

| image3 = File:Owner Ms Karen O'driscoll.svg

| alt3 = Purple, emerald green cross of lorraine, striped sleeves, emerald green cap, white star

| caption3 = Oscar Delta

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2011

| image1 = File:Owner Mr R A Bartlett.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue and white diamonds, white sleeves, red cap

| caption1 = Zemsky

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs K Exall.svg

| alt2 = Red and white stripes, red sleeves, white armlets, red cap

| caption2 = Mid Div And Creep

| image3 = File:Owner Ms Karen O'driscoll.svg

| alt3 = Purple, emerald green cross of lorraine, striped sleeves, emerald green cap, white star

| caption3 = Oscar Delta

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2010-2001 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2010

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John Goodman.svg

| alt1 = Red, mauve chevron and sleeves, white cap, red spots

| caption1 = Baby Run

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Sean Lucey.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, dark blue seams, white cap, dark blue star

| caption2 = Kilty Storm

| image3 = File:Owner Mr M J Tuckey.svg

| alt3 = Dark green and white diamonds, white sleeves

| caption3 = Reach for the Top

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2009

| image1 = File:Owner Mr and Mrs William Rucker.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, pink hoop

| caption1 = Cappa Bleu

| image2 = File:Owner Mr C St V Fox.svg

| alt2 = Black, emerald green cross belts, emerald green cap

| caption2 = Turthen

| image3 = File:Owner Mr N A Twiston-Davies.svg

| alt3 = Black, white sleeves, yellow cap

| caption3 = Baby Run

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2008

| image1 = File:Owner Lord Daresbury.svg

| alt1 = Light Blue, Dark Blue chevron hoops on body and sleeves, Light Blue cap, White spots

| caption1 = Amicelli

| image2 = File:Owner Mr I R Mann.svg

| alt2 = Green, Yellow sleeves, Green and Red striped cap

| caption2 = Bon Accord

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings_emerald_cap.svg

| alt3 = Emerald Green and Yellow (quartered), White sleeves, Emerald Green cap

| caption3 = Arctic Times

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2007

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Drombeag

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Kathleen O'Driscoll.svg

| alt2 = PINK and BLACK STRIPES, hooped sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Whyso Mayo

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs John Magnier.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue

| caption3 = Ned Kelly

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2006

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Kathleen O'Driscoll.svg

| alt1 = PINK and BLACK STRIPES, hooped sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Whyso Mayo

| image2 = File:Owner J O'Mahoney.svg

| alt2 = DARK BLUE, white stars, red sleeves, white chevrons, red cap

| caption2 = First Down Jets

| image3 = File:Owner Mr R A Bartlett.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue and white diamonds, white sleeves, red cap

| caption3 = Joe Blake

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2005

| image1 = File:Owner D J and F A Jackson.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, purple seams, sleeves and star on cap

| caption1 = Sleeping Night

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Nick Shutts.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, black seams, emerald green sleeves, black spots and spots on cap

| caption2 = Foly Pleasant

| image3 = File:Owner Tim Jones and Partners.svg

| alt3 = White, black and white checked sleeves, black cap

| caption3 = Placid Man

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2004

| image1 = File:Owner Mr R M Penny.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, Brown disc, striped sleeves, hooped cap

| caption1 = Earthmover

| image2 = File:Owner Mr D F Desmond.svg

| alt2 = White, Dark Blue hoop, White sleeves, Dark Blue armlets, White cap, Dark Blue star

| caption2 = Never Compromise

| image3 = File:Owner Mr G T Lever.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves

| caption3 = County Derry

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2003

| image1 = File:Owner A J Sendell.svg

| alt1 = Purple, White hoop, White sleeves, Purple armlets, Emerald Green cap

| caption1 = Kingscliff

| image2 = File:Owner Mr J H Burbidge.svg

| alt2 = Light Blue, Royal Blue sash, sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Bright Approach

| image3 = File:Owner Mr R Tate.svg

| alt3 = Gold, maroon hoops, gold sleeves

| caption3 = Last Option

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2002

| image1 = File:Owner Mr R Tate.svg

| alt1 = Gold, maroon hoops, gold sleeves

| caption1 = Last Option

| image2 = File:Owner W A Ritson.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, light blue cap

| caption2 = Gunner Welburn

| image3 = File:Owner Two Plus Two.svg

| alt3 = Orange and yellow diamonds, striped sleeves, yellow cap, orange diamond

| caption3 = Torduff Express

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2000-1991 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2000

| image1 = File:Owner Exors Of The Late H J Manners.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue, red cap, green spots

| caption1 = Cavalero

| image2 = File:Owner Cockerell Cowing Racing.svg

| alt2 = Pink, Dark Blue Cross of Lorraine, quartered cap

| caption2 = Real Value

| image3 = File:Owner G Tuer.svg

| alt3 = Dark Green, Yellow braces, striped sleeves and striped cap

| caption3 = Trade Dispute

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1999

| image1 = File:Owner Charles Dixey.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, yellow cross belts, black cap

| caption1 = Castle Mane

| image2 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption2 = Elegant Lord

| image3 = File:Owner Mr R Tate.svg

| alt3 = Gold, maroon hoops, gold sleeves

| caption3 = Last Option

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1998

| image1 = File:Owner Mr R M Penny.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, Brown disc, striped sleeves, hooped cap

| caption1 = Earthmover

| image2 = File:Owner Barry Brazier.svg

| alt2 = Grey, blue sleeves, white cap, blue star

| caption2 = Stay in Touch

| image3 = File:Owner Mr C J Haughey.svg

| alt3 = Orange, white seams, grey sleeves, white stars, orange cap, white stars

| caption3 = Flashing Steel

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1997

| image1 = File:Owner Hunt and Co (Bournemouth) Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Black, yellow stars, black sleeves, yellow cap

| caption1 = Fantus

| image2 = File:Owner N Hurst.svg

| alt2 = White and orange hoops, white sleeves, yellow spots, white and yellow hooped cap

| caption2 = Cab on Target

| image3 = File:Owner F A Bonsal.svg

| alt3 = Green, white hooped sleeves

| caption3 = What A Hand

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1996

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Elegant Lord

| image2 = File:Owner The Hon Miss D Harding.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, white stripe and sleeves

| caption2 = Cool Dawn

| image3 = File:Owner P Curling.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue and grey check, white cap

| caption3 = Kerry Orchid

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1995

| image1 = File:Owner Hunt and Co (Bournemouth) Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Black, yellow stars, black sleeves, yellow cap

| caption1 = Fantus

| image2 = File:Owner E Knight.svg

| alt2 = Orange and purple (quartered), orange sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Holland House

| image3 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption3 = Elegant Lord

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1994

| image1 = File:Owner R C Wilkins.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, red armlets, quartered cap

| caption1 = Double Silk

| image2 = File:Owner R G Russell.svg

| alt2 = Gordon tartan, yellow sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Teaplanter

| image3 = File:Owner J E Greenall.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, dark blue chevron hoops on body and sleeves, black cap

| caption3 = Once Stung

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1993

| image1 = File:Owner R C Wilkins.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, red armlets, quartered cap

| caption1 = Double Silk

| image2 = File:Owner P Curling.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue and grey check, white cap

| caption2 = Kerry Orchid

| image3 = File:Owner J E Greenall.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, dark blue chevron hoops on body and sleeves, black cap

| caption3 = Once Stung

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1992

| image1 = File:Owner Hunt and Co (Bournemouth) Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Black, yellow stars, black sleeves, yellow cap

| caption1 = Rushing Wild

| image2 = File:Owner D J Wintle.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue, black hoops

| caption2 = Ardesee

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Peter Bonner.svg

| alt3 = White, emerald green cross belts, emerald green cap

| caption3 = Federal Trooper

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1991

| image1 = File:Owner E J O'Sullivan.svg

| alt1 = Blue and gold quartered, blue sleeves, gold cap, blue hoop

| caption1 = Lovely Citizen

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs P Claxton.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, white sash, red cap

| caption2 = Dun Gay Lass

| image3 = File:Owner J M Soriano.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, black hoop, hooped sleeves

| caption3 = Crammer

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 1990-1988 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1990

| image1 = File:Owner James Clements.svg

| alt1 = White, red stripe and sleeves, black and white hooped cap

| caption1 = Call Collect

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs H Bell.svg

| alt2 = Red, royal blue and white halved sleeves, red and white quartered cap

| caption2 = Old Nick

| image3 = File:Owner Peter Luff.svg

| alt3 = Light blue, black sash, armlets and hoop on cap

| caption3 = West Tip

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1989

| image1 = File:Owner Miss Kate Rimell.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, black spots, black sleeves, yellow spots

| caption1 = Three Counties

| image2 = File:Owner R Belasco.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, white hoop, dark blue cap

| caption2 = Kelly's Honor

| image3 = File:Owner James Clements.svg

| alt3 = White, red stripe and sleeves, black and white hooped cap

| caption3 = Call Collect

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1988

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Angus Campbell.svg

| alt1 = Black, pink sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Certain Light

| image2 = File:Owner Miss Kate Rimell.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, black spots, black sleeves, yellow spots

| caption2 = Three Counties

| image3 = File:Owner Mr P W Harris.svg

| alt3 = Emerald Green, Red sash, Yellow sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Acarine

}}

{{Jockey colours footer}}

The St James's Place Festival Hunters' Chase is a National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain for amateur riders which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs (3 miles 2 furlongs and 70 yards, or 5,294 metres), and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped. It is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The event is contested over the same course and distance as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and it is sometimes referred to as the "amateur Gold Cup". It was established in 1904, and the inaugural running was won by Palmy Boy. It was backed by the insurance company Sun Alliance and London in 1972 and 1973, and for the following five years it was run without a sponsor. The art auctioneers Christie's supported the race from 1979 to 2012 and from 2013 to 2015 it was sponsored by the Country Gentleman's Association.{{cite web|title=Country Gentleman's Association unveiled as new sponsor for Cheltenham Foxhunter|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9788821/Country-Gentlemans-Association-unveiled-as-new-sponsor-for-Cheltenham-Foxhunter.html|work=telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=24 February 2013|author=Marcus Armytage|author-link=Marcus Armytage}} Since 2016 it has been sponsored by St. James's Place plc. The race's full title is the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase. Until 2020 the race was known as the St James's Place Foxhunters' Chase - the word "fox" was removed from the title prior to the 2021 running.

Qualification for entry in the Festival Hunter Chase is based on a horse's previous performances in certain types of race within a specific period. To be eligible a horse must have finished first or second twice in hunter chases, or have won two open point-to-point races, or have won one open point-to-point race and finished first or second in a hunter chase.

Only professional jockeys competed in the 2021 running as amateur riders were excluded from the Cheltenham Festival due to restrictions on grassroots sport for the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |last1=Scargill |first1=Peter |last2=Boylan |first2=Mark |title=Star riders forced to miss Cheltenham as amateurs are barred from festival |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/amateur-riders-barred-from-competing-at-this-seasons-cheltenham-festival/474953 |publisher=Racing Post |access-date=24 February 2021 |date=24 February 2021}}