Pulse Racing
Foxhunters

Detailed race analysis for The Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.

RACE SUMMARY

First run in 1904, this historic amateur hunters’ chase is traditionally known as the Foxhunter’s Chase and is one of the Festival’s longest-established contests. From 2026 it was renamed in honour of HRH The Princess Royal, recognising her achievements in equestrian sport and her own experience as an amateur jockey.

Run on Gold Cup Day immediately after the Cheltenham Gold Cup, it is contested over 3m 2f on the New Course and features 22 fences.

The race is a Class 2 Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase for horses aged 5 and older, with amateur riders traditionally forming an important part of its character.

WINNING PROFILE

AVERAGE AGE

9.9

132

AVERAGE OFFICIAL RATING

AVERAGE CHASE RUNS PRIOR *excludes PTP

11.5

PATH TO CHELTENHAM

The following races have produced the most Foxhunters winners since 2017 - note no multiple occurrences:

(1) Overbury Stud Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters Chase (Warwick, January)
(1) Thurles Racecourse Hunters Chase (Thurles, January)
(1) John Hewitt Memorial Open Hunters Chase (Bangor, February)
(1) 1st Security Solutions Open Hunters Chase (Doncaster, February)
(1) Plyvine Catering Chase Meredith Memorial Open Hunters' Chase (Ludlow, February)
(1) Congratulations To Naas GAA On An Incredible Year Hunters Chase (Naas, February)
(1) Join The Vickers Customer Racing Club Open Hunters' Chase (Wetherby, February)
(1) Stewart Tory Memorial Open Hunters' Chase (Wincanton, February)
(1 )Buy Tickets Online And Save Hunters Chase (Cork (IRE), November)
(1) Bluegrass Hunters Chase (Down Royal, December)

Number of horses that ran in these races and went on to win at Cheltenham that season in brackets.

*PTP races not included.

TRAINER WINS

TRAINER S/R

WINS BY AGE

PULSE STOPPER

Hunter-chasers struggle at both ends of the age in this race with those aged 12+ 0/43 and those aged 6–7: 0/20 - a combined 0/63 (28% of all runners)

Those in headgear are 2/86 | 2.32%

British-trained runners have six winners though from a high volume at 6/190 | 3.2%

PULSE INSIGHT

Irish-trained are 5/45 | 11.1%, a much higher strike-rate the British-trained at 6/190 | 3.2%

French-breds 3/50 | 6.0%, which is marginally above the base of 4.7%

The winners have been varied with some big prices as well as favourites at 3/11 | 27.3%

8/1 or shorter: 5/42 | 11.9%.

If you backed every horse at 16/1+ that would be 6/164 and a profit of £59.20 to £1 level stakes

The highest strike by age is 10 which is 5/49 | 10.2%.

Nicholls is the only trainer with multiple wins (with the same horse) and is 2/16 | 12.5%.

Last Time Out win strike rate is 5/74 | 6.8%

Any rules win in season 6/11 | 78/235 | 7.7%

PULSE EDGE

PULSE SUMMARY

Foxed by the Official Ratings

As a non-handicap and typically with a significant weight range in the field this should be one of the easier races to identify likely winners. That said only two of the top rated on official ratings have won in the last eleven renewals 2/11 | 18.2% with the average almost a full stone, 13 lb to be precise, below the field high. If you exclude the two top rated which won the average is a full 16 lb below the top rated.

PULSE VERDICT

Pulse Rate

9/11 | 81.8% of winners not top rated - 16 lb below top OR

Pulse Stopper

Aged 12+ and aged 6–7 a combined 0/63 | 0% (28% of all runners)

Pulse Insight

16/1+ 6/164, profit of £59.20 to £1 level stakes

Pulse Edge

Highest strike age 10, 5/49 | 10.2%.

< Gold Cup

Martin Pipe >

ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026

Pulse Racing Foxhunters

Detailed race analysis for The Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival * note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.