The John Francome Novices' Chase is a Grade 2 National Huntchase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Newbury, Berkshire, over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (2 miles 3 furlongs and 187 yards, or 4,367 metres), and during its running there are sixteen fences to be jumped. The race is for novice chasers, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late November or early December.
The race was originally run over 3 miles until it was reduced in distance from 1973. Prior to 1991 the event was known as the Hopeful Chase, but was then renamed as the Fulke Walwyn Novices' Chase, in memory of the racehorse trainer Fulke Walwyn. It attained Listed status in 2001, and it was promoted to Grade 2 level in 2004. The race was renamed the Berkshire Novices' Chase in 2006. From 2011 to 2016 the race was sponsored by Fuller's Brewery and run as the Fuller's London Pride Novices' Chase. Since 2017 it has been sponsored by Ladbrokes. The race was given its current name in 2023 after the previous John Francome Novices' Chase, a three-mile race, was withdrawn from the calendar.
Records
Leading jockey since 1973 (4 wins):
John Francome – The Dealer (1977), Snowtown Boy (1980), Brown Chamberlin (1981), Great Light (1984)
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