The Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby: Complete Guide

The Wetherby Pattern Chase

The Charlie Hall Chase was established in 1969 as the Wetherby Pattern Chase. It replaced the Emblem Handicap Chase, a handicap named after Emblem, the winner of the 1863 Grand National. The new race was a conditions chase — no handicaps — designed to attract better quality horses and raise the profile of Wetherby's flagship meeting.

The inaugural running was won by Arcturus, trained by Neville Crump and ridden by Pat Buckley. The race quickly established itself as a useful early-season target. In 1971 it was abandoned due to snow and frost — a reminder that late October in Yorkshire can produce challenging conditions. The race has been run every year since, with only occasional abandonments due to weather.

Charlie Hall

Charlie Hall was a trainer based in the north who had a significant impact on the racing scene. When he died, the race was renamed in his honour. In 1978 it became the Charlie Hall Memorial Wetherby Pattern Chase, and in 1990 the title was shortened to the Charlie Hall Chase. The name has stuck, and the race is now synonymous with Wetherby.

The Bet365 Era

Bet365 took over sponsorship in 2003, and the partnership has been one of the most stable in British racing. The sponsorship has helped to maintain the prize fund — the race now offers around £100,000 in total prize money, with over £56,000 to the winner. That level of funding ensures the race continues to attract the best chasers in training.

Grade 2 Status

The Charlie Hall is a Grade 2 race, one step below the top-tier Grade 1 events. That status reflects its importance as an early-season trial. It's not quite the King George or the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but it's a serious race that has been won by multiple Gold Cup winners. The quality of the roll of honour speaks for itself.

Distance and Fences

The race is run over approximately three miles and 45 yards (about 4,869 metres), with 19 fences. It's a staying chase that demands stamina and bold jumping. The left-handed, galloping track at Wetherby suits horses who can maintain a rhythm and jump fluently. The race is open to horses aged five and older, with weight allowances for mares and penalties for recent wins in top-class chases.

Wayward Lad

Wayward Lad won the Charlie Hall in 1983 and 1985, trained by Michael Dickinson and later Monica Dickinson. He went on to win the King George VI Chase three times and was one of the first genuine stars to make the race a regular target. His presence at Wetherby helped to establish the Charlie Hall as a race that mattered.

One Man

One Man won in 1996 and 1997, trained by Gordon Richards and ridden by Richard Dunwoody. He was a brilliant front-runner who won the King George twice and the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. His back-to-back Charlie Hall victories showed that the race could be a target in its own right for the best chasers.

See More Business

See More Business won in 1999 and 2000 for Paul Nicholls and Mick Fitzgerald. He went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1999 and was one of the most consistent top-class chasers of his era. His dual Charlie Hall wins cemented the race's reputation as a key trial for the Gold Cup.

Cue Card

Cue Card won in 2015, trained by Colin Tizzard and ridden by Paddy Brennan. He went on to win the Betfair Chase and the King George that same season, and was one of the most popular chasers of the decade. His Charlie Hall victory was the start of a remarkable campaign.

Bristol De Mai and Bravemansgame

Bristol De Mai won in 2017 for Nigel Twiston-Davies and went on to win the Betfair Chase three times. Bravemansgame won in 2022 for Paul Nicholls before landing the King George that December. Both demonstrated that the Charlie Hall remains a crucial stepping stone for the season's biggest races.

Dual Winners

Six horses have won the Charlie Hall twice: Wayward Lad, Celtic Shot, Barton Bank, One Man, See More Business and Ollie Magern. Ollie Magern won in 2005 and 2007 for Nigel Twiston-Davies, who holds the trainer's record with six wins. Mick Fitzgerald and Carl Llewellyn share the jockey record with three wins each.

The Track

The Charlie Hall is run on Wetherby's left-handed chase course, which is just under a mile and four furlongs round. The track has easy bends, a climb past the winning post, a downhill run to the back straight, and a slightly uphill finish from the last fence. There are nine fences per circuit — four in the home straight and five down the back, including two open ditches. For the three-mile-plus trip, the field will negotiate 19 fences in total.

The galloping nature of the track suits stayers and horses who can maintain a rhythm. Front-runners often get an easy lead, and the easy bends mean they're rarely put under severe pressure until the business end. The uphill finish can catch out horses who have been ridden too aggressively earlier in the race.

Ground Conditions

The race is run in late October or early November, and the ground can vary. Some years it's good to soft, others it's heavy. The going has a significant impact on the result. Horses who handle soft or heavy ground have an advantage when conditions are testing. A horse with all their best form on good ground is a risky proposition. Check the going report on the day and consider each horse's record on similar ground.

What the Race Suits

The Charlie Hall suits a horse who stays three miles well, jumps boldly and can handle the track's undulations. Many winners have had a previous run that season — a prep race to blow away the cobwebs — but some have won first time out. The key is that the horse is fit enough to run a competitive race. Trainers often use it as a stepping stone to the Betfair Chase, the King George or the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so the race can reveal which chasers are in form for the season ahead.

Favourites and Short Prices

The Charlie Hall often goes to a well-fancied horse. The quality of the field means that the best horse on the day usually wins. Favourites have a decent record, and it's not a race that routinely throws up 20-1 shocks. That said, it's often the first run of the season for top chasers, and some need the outing. A horse who finishes second or third might improve next time — consider them for the Betfair Chase or King George.

First-Time-Out Winners

Plenty of Charlie Hall winners have won first time out — Cue Card, Bravemansgame and Fusil Raffles are recent examples. Trainers target the race and have their horses ready. If a horse has a strong profile and is being aimed at the race, don't be put off by the lack of a prep run. The flip side is that some horses need a run to blow away the cobwebs. If a fancied horse is having their first start of the season, they might be vulnerable to a race-fit rival.

Nigel Twiston-Davies and Paul Nicholls

Nigel Twiston-Davies has won the race six times, Paul Nicholls four times (including with See More Business, Silviniaco Conti, Cyrname and Bravemansgame). When either trainer has a fancied runner, their record demands respect. Twiston-Davies in particular targets the meeting and often has his best chasers ready.

Use the Result

The Charlie Hall is one of the best form references of the early season. The winner and placed horses often go on to run well in the Betfair Chase, the King George and beyond. Use the result to inform your betting for the rest of the winter. A horse who runs well without winning might be value next time — they've had a proper race and could improve. For more on betting at Wetherby, see the full guide.