Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase Odds, Tips, Free Bets & Betting Offers
Updated: January 29, 2026 at 1:41 pm GMT+0
Fact Checked by
Craig Jones
Craig Jones
The second race on day three at Cheltenham, and a race that's changed plenty in recent years.
The Jack Richards Novices' Chase is now a handicap, it's no longer a graded race, a move that's there to try and increase field sizes and competitiveness across the whole novice division.
Cheltenham Free Bets
The Cheltenham Festival is here, a huge horse racing event that we give plenty of focus to. Our dedicated page showcases the latest free bets and betting offers Cheltenham Festival throughout the week.
Betfred at Cheltenham
Betfred have an excellent horse racing reputation, and have fantastic offers to match. Want to know everything they offer? Check out our dedicated page for all things Cheltenham at Betfred.
Read on for Jack Richards Novices’ Chase betting odds, tips, and Cheltenham free bets.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Thursday, March 12th - 2:00pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £98,472 |
| Distance: | Two-miles & four-furlongs |
| Race Type: | Novice Handicap Chase |
| Age: | 5-Years+ |
| Course: | New Course |
| Weights: | 11st 3lb (5yo), 11st 4lb (6yo+), 7lb allowance for mares |
| Where to watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Jack Richards Novices’ Chase Betting Offers & Free Bets
There are some great free bets and promotions available for new players, check out the list below to see what is currently on offer for anyone who wants to join a new brand.
Advertiser Disclosure:
Content on this site will contain reference to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you view ads or click on links to those products or services.
#ad. 18+. New Players Only. Min deposit £20. Offer is 3x £10 free bets when you bet a total of £10 on any Sports market at odds of 1.75 or higher. Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bets must settle before 23:59 on 13/03/2026. Free Bets can be redeemed on any sports market and used in one single transaction per Free Bet. Winnings credited as cash and immediately withdrawable. Free bets expire 7 days after being credited. Free Bets non withdrawable. Free Bet stakes not included in returns. Affordability checks apply. Terms apply. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org.
New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Register with FRED40, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £20 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40CF on registration. £/€10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Free Sports Bet and 2 x £/€5 Football Acca within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org.
#Ad. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration Required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply.
6
Betway
Get £30 Matched Free Bet if your first Acca loses + 100 Free Spins For The Cheltenham Festival
*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply
Available to verified customers residing in the UK. Opt-in is required. Place your first bet of £10 at minimum odds of 1/1 on any sports market within 7 days of registering. Get £30 in Free Bets (1x £10 Horse Racing Free Bet + 1x £10 Football Acca Free Bet + £10 Basketball Acca Free Bet) T&Cs apply. 18+ Please gamble responsibly.
Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get 5x £10 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Apple Pay or Debit Card will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
#ad. 18+. Play Responsibly www.gambleaware.org. 18+. first deposit only | £10 min deposit | qualifying bet: min £10, on any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) with min odds 6/4 (2.5) on selected sports | £10 Free Bet: 2+ leg ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections), min odds 6/4 (2.5) | 7-day expiry | T&Cs apply
18+ New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £5 on any Horse Racing market (Odds 1/1+) within 7 days of sign up. Get 2 x £10 in Free Bets for set Horse Racing markets. Free Bets expire in 30 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly.
New customers. Min £10 dep. In 5 days of first deposit, place a £10+ bet at min 1.50. No Multis/EW. Credited in 48 hrs; valid 7 days. T&Cs apply. Ends 1/1/27.
18+.T&C Apply.
Key Terms: 18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply 18+. UK/IRE online. 9 Feb-8 Mar. Place & settle £/€10+ bets, min odds 1/1 on selected sports. Bet 4 days weekly to earn £/€5 Cheltenham Free Bet (FB). 5 days = £/€5 Cheltenham FB + £/€5 FB next week (NW). 6 days = £/€5 Cheltenham FB + £/€10 FB NW. 7 days = £/€5 Cheltenham FB + win a share of the £/€10k weekly jackpot (paid as cash NW). Cheltenham FBs credited 10-13 Mar, expire 13 Mar at 23:59. Free/void/cashed-out bets don’t qual. Account/bet type/settlement/payment restrictions apply. T&Cs Apply
Disclaimer: 18+| New Players Only. Min £20 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £40, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Free bets and Bonuses are valid for 7 days. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Full terms apply.
18+ New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £5 on any Horse Racing Markets (Odds 1/1+) within 7 days of sign up. Get 2 x £10 in Free Bets for set Horse Racing markets. Free Bets expire in 30 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly.
Jack Richards Novices’ Chase Betting Odds
Now a different event all together, as we saw last season, this should lead to betting sites giving bigger odds, more each way places and a far more competitive environment for punters overall.
Jack Richards Novices’ Chase Tips
Check back nearer the time for our Jack Richards Novices' Chase tips.
However, we have daily horse racing tips courtesy of our top tipping team, Charlie McCann and Alan Kelly - click on their links below.
Charlie McCann Tips
Get exclusive daily horse racing tips from Charlie McCann here at Freebets.
Alan Kelly Tips
Get exclusive selections from Alan Kelly on daily horse racing here at Freebets.
What Happened in 2025?
The first running of this race as a handicap was won by Cadwell Potter for Paul Nicholls.
Jack Richards Novices’ Chase Key Stats
- 11 of the last 12 winners were aged 6 or 7
- 10 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 win in a Grade 1 or 2 race
- It’s a strong race for favourites, with nine of the last 13 winners coming from the first three in the betting
Previous Winners of the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase
Check out the last five winners of the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Cadwell Potter |
| 2024 | Grey Dawning |
| 2023 | Stage Star |
| 2022 | Bob Olinger |
| 2021 | Chantry House |
FAQs
What is the Jack Richards Novices' Chase?
The Jack Richards Novices' Chase has previously been called the JLT Chase and Marsh Chase, it is now a handicap for novices over fences.
How far is the Cheltenham Jack Richards Novices' Chase?
The Jack Richards Novices’ Chase is run over two and a half miles, with seventeen fences jumped.
Who is the leading trainer in the Jack Richards Novices' Chase?
Willie Mullins has trained the winner of the race on four occasions - Sir Des Champs in 2012, Vautour in 2015, Black Hercules in 2016, and Yorkhill in 2017.
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 3 races:
