Founder & Editor · Last reviewed 2026-03-02
The Ladbrokes Champion Chase is Down Royal's signature race — a Grade 1 steeplechase over three miles that attracts top chasers from Ireland and beyond. Run at Down Royal as part of the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing in November, it's the most valuable race at the track, with prize money of €150,000 or more.
The race is for horses aged five and older and is a proper staying test. Winners have gone on to success at Cheltenham and other major meetings. For the full festival experience, see the festival guide. For the history of Down Royal, that guide has you covered.
This guide covers the history of the race, memorable winners, the course and conditions, and betting angles. Whether you're planning a day out or studying the betting guide, the Ladbrokes Champion Chase is the race to focus on.
Bet on Down Royal
Place your bets on Down Royal races with a trusted bookmaker.
Promo code BETFRED50. New customers only. Register, deposit with a Debit Card, and place a first bet of £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports, to be settled within 7 days, to get £30 in Sports Free Bets and £20 in Bet Builder Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. Full T&Cs.
Promo code R30. New UK customers only, 18+. Register, deposit £10 or more, then place a £10 single cash bet at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on any sports market (excluding Virtuals). Once the qualifying bet settles you get £30 in Free Bets (3 x £10) — the qualifying bet can win or lose. Free Bets are valid on any sports market excluding Virtuals, expire in 7 days, are non-withdrawable and must be used in full. Excluded deposit methods apply (including PayPal, Apple Pay, Skrill and NETELLER). Named bets such as Lucky 15 do not qualify. If you cash out the qualifying bet, or it is voided, you are no longer eligible for the offer. Ends 31.12.26. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. Full T&Cs.
Promo code BET40GET20. New UK customers, 18+. Register with the code and place a first bet of £40 or more at Evens (2.0) or greater. Receive 2 × £10 free bets: the first credited automatically once the qualifying bet settles, the second 24 hours later. Free bets must be placed at minimum odds of 4/1 (5.0), expire 24 hours after credit, and the free-bet stake is not returned with winnings. Debit card deposits only. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
50% of your first-day net losses refunded as a free bet, capped at £25. New UK customers aged 18+ only. To qualify, deposit and place a first bet of £10 or more on any sport at minimum odds of evens (2.00), then place at least two further bets on different events, each worth at least 50% of your largest bet, all at evens (2.00) or greater. Losses are counted from your first settled bet until 23:59 the same day. Place a qualifying £10+ bet and you are guaranteed at least a £5 free bet. Bets placed at SP, void bets, cashed-out bets and bets struck with free bets do not count towards the offer. The free bet is credited the day after your qualifying bets settle and must be used within 7 days, after which it expires. It can be used at odds from 1/4 (1.25) up to 250/1 on singles and straight accumulators, but not on Trixie, Patent or Yankee style multiples. Free-bet stake is not returned with winnings. One offer per person, household, address, IP address and device. E-wallet deposits may not qualify, so check the cashier before depositing. Customers registered with GAMSTOP cannot claim. KYC identity verification must be completed before the free bet is credited. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
New customers, 18+. Choose the sports bonus at sign-up, make a first deposit and receive a 100% bonus up to £50 in your Sports Bonus balance. To convert the bonus to cash, wager it 10x within 30 days. Single bets below Evens (2.00) do not qualify; accumulators do not qualify if any selection is below 1/2 (1.50). Virtual Sports, voided, cancelled, drawn, cashed-out and free-bet wagers do not count towards wagering. Only the first settled bet per event counts. Withdrawing before the wagering requirement is met forfeits the bonus balance including bonus winnings. Real-money funds are used before bonus funds. Deposits via Skrill or Neteller are not eligible. Not valid in conjunction with other promotions. Odds, bet and payment limits apply. 10bet general and promotion T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. Full T&Cs.
New customers in Great Britain and Republic of Ireland, 18+. Place a £10 fixed-odds qualifying bet at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.50) — single or each-way (only the win part counts), pre-event or in-play, not cashed out early, within 28 days of opening the account. Receive £60 in bonuses credited over three days: 3 × £10 fixed-odds free bets (the first on settlement, then 24 and 48 hours later) plus 3 × £5 Total Goals FOOTBALL spread bets, 3 × £5 racing Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet (the spread bets need a full spread-betting account). Free-bet stakes not returned with winnings; free bets valid 28 days from issue. IMPORTANT: the £5 credits are SPREAD bets — sports spread betting carries the risk that losses can exceed your stake. Sports spread-betting customers do not have Financial Ombudsman or FSCS recourse. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
Promo code WELCOME15, entered under My Bonuses after registering. New UK customers, 18+. Place a first qualifying bet of at least £10 from your cash balance at odds of evens (2.0) or greater within 7 days of opening the account. Once the qualifying bet fully settles you receive £15 in free bets, credited as 3 x £5 tokens with set uses: one £5 accumulator free bet (minimum 4 legs, each leg at 2/5 or bigger), one £5 sports free bet (any market at evens or bigger) and one £5 Sub Cover free bet (selected football player markets at evens or bigger). Free-bet stakes are not returned with winnings. Free bets expire 7 days after they are credited. Void, cashed-out and partially cashed-out bets do not qualify. One offer per customer. Confirm the current terms on BetGoodwin's own welcome-offer page before claiming. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
New UK customers, 18+. Minimum deposit £10. Place a £10 qualifying single at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.50), settled within 14 days. Receive £30 in free bets (stake not returned), split £20 for sportsbook use (2 x £10) and £10 for Bet Builder only (2 x £5); Bet Builder does not cover horse racing. Free bets must be accepted within 7 days and expire 7 days after acceptance. No promo code required. Best Odds Guaranteed on UK & Irish racing, subject to having staked over £25 in the previous seven days. Operated by LiveScore Betting and Gaming (Gibraltar) Ltd, UKGC 56859. Confirm the current terms on LiveScore Bet's own promotions page before claiming. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
18+. BeGambleAware.org
History of the Ladbrokes Champion Chase
The Ladbrokes Champion Chase has been the centrepiece of the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing for many years. The race has evolved in name and sponsorship, but it has consistently attracted top-class chasers. The festival guide has more on the meeting.
Grade 1 Status
The race holds Grade 1 status — the highest level in National Hunt racing. That means it attracts the best chasers in training. Prize money has reached €150,000, making it the most valuable race at Down Royal. The complete guide has more on the course.
Timing
The race is run in early November, typically as part of a Saturday card. It's a key early-season target for chasers preparing for Cheltenham and other major meetings. The ground is often good to soft — check the going report on the day. The betting guide has more on conditions.
Sponsorship
Ladbrokes has sponsored the race for many years. Check the Down Royal website for current details. The race remains the highlight of the Down Royal calendar, whatever the sponsor.
Great Winners & Memorable Renewals
The Ladbrokes Champion Chase has been won by top-class chasers. Winners have gone on to success at Cheltenham, the Dublin Racing Festival, and elsewhere. The race is a proper test — three miles over fences — and the best horse on the day usually wins. The betting guide has more on form and trends.
Memorable Renewals
The race has produced dramatic finishes and surprise results. The track's fair layout means that form often holds up — but that doesn't mean every favourite wins. The festival guide has more on the meeting. For the course layout, see the complete guide.
Trends
Horses with course form often run well. The Ladbrokes Champion Chase favours stayers who can jump fluently and gallop. The going is typically good to soft in November. Irish-trained horses have a strong record — the course is part of the Irish racing calendar. The history of Down Royal has more on the course's development.
Planning a Visit
Ladbrokes Champion Chase day is the busiest at Down Royal. Book ahead for hospitality and arrive early for parking. The day out guide has tips for making the most of your visit.
The Course & Conditions
The Ladbrokes Champion Chase is run over Down Royal's chase track — a right-handed circuit. The race is run over three miles, a proper staying test for chasers. For the full course description, see the complete guide.
The Layout
The track has a mix of flat and undulating sections. The fences are well positioned, and the course creates a fair test. Horses that can jump fluently and gallop have an advantage. The run-in is fair, and the finish is straightforward. The festival guide has more on the meeting.
Going and Conditions
The race is run in November. The ground is often good to soft, depending on the weather. County Down can be wet, but the track rarely becomes heavy. Check the going report before you travel or bet. The betting guide has more on conditions.
A Fair Test
The Ladbrokes Champion Chase is a fair test. The best horse on the day usually wins. There's no hidden bias, and the three-mile trip suits stayers. That makes it a good race for following form — and a good day out for racegoers. The day out guide has tips for visitors.
Betting Angles & Trends
The Ladbrokes Champion Chase tends to favour horses with solid form. The track is fair, and the best horse on the day usually wins. Look for runners with course form, good going form, and a profile that suits the three-mile trip.
Course Form
Horses that have run well at Down Royal before are worth considering. The track is consistent, and some horses take to it. The complete guide has more on the course character.
Going and Trip
Match the horse to the conditions. The race is typically run on good to soft ground. Ensure the trip suits — three miles is a staying test. Horses that have won over similar distances often run well. The betting guide has strategies for Down Royal.
Trends and Stats
Check recent renewals for trends. Favourites have a reasonable record — the track's fairness means form often holds up. Irish-trained horses have a strong record. The festival guide has more on the meeting. The day out guide has tips if you're attending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Share this article
More about this racecourse
All Down Royal guides
Betting at Down Royal Racecourse
How to bet smarter at Down Royal — track characteristics, going and conditions, key trainers and jockeys, and strategies for Northern Ireland's premier venue.
Read more
Down Royal Racecourse: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about Down Royal — Northern Ireland's premier racecourse, the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, and over 300 years of racing history.
Read more
A Day Out at Down Royal Racecourse
A day at Down Royal — getting there, what to wear, enclosures, food and drink, and insider tips for Northern Ireland's premier racecourse.
Read moreResearch the field with the AI Race Predictor
Our model publishes calibrated win-probability estimates for UK races — a second opinion to understand a race, not tips. It's open about its record: it doesn't beat the market, and we show exactly how it does.
Work it out & learn the basics
Gamble Responsibly
Gambling should be entertaining and not seen as a way to make money. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help and support is available.