The Unibet Persian War Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Chepstow over a distance of about 2 miles and 3½ furlongs (2 miles 3 furlong and 100 yards, or 3,914 metres), and during its running there are ten hurdles to be jumped. The race is for novice hurdlers, and it is scheduled to take place each year in October. It is currently sponsored by DragonBet and the 2025 renewal is worth £75,000 in prize money.
Replacing the Crick Hurdle, the first running took place in 1977.Phillips, Michael. "Racing." Times, January 27, 1977, 12. The Times Digital Archive (accessed April 21, 2020). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS201556027/TTDA?u=mclib&sid=TTDA&xid=f83d46ff. The event is named after Persian War, a three-time winner of the Champion Hurdle who was trained near Chepstow. It was formerly held in February, and for a period it was contested over 2 miles and 4½ furlongs. It was switched to November in the 2000–01 season, and at the same time its distance was cut by 110 yards. The race was moved to late October in 2004 and to an earlier date in October in 2015.
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 1977 The Dealer 7 John Francome Fred Winter 1978 Ballyfin Lake 7 John Francome Fred Winter 1979Abandoned because of snow and frost 1980 Broadleas 6 Richard Rowe Josh Gifford 1981Abandoned because of waterlogged state of course 1982 Arabian Music 7 Richard Rowe Josh Gifford 1983Abandoned because of frost 1984 Brown Trix 6 John Francome Fred Winter 1985Abandoned because of snow and frost 1986Abandoned because of frost 1987 Bonanza Boy 6 Peter Hobbs Philip Hobbs 1988 Sir Blake 7 Colin Brown David Elsworth 1989 no race 1989–91 1992 Mighty Mogul 5 Mark Pitman Jenny Pitman 1993 High Alltitude 5 Nick Bentley George M. Moore 1994Abandoned because of waterlogged state of course 1995 St Mellion Fairway 6 Tom Grantham Jim Old 1996 Jet Rules 6 Warren Marston Jenny Pitman 1997 Boardroom Shuffle 6 Philip Hide Josh Gifford 1998 Red Curate 7 Warren Marston Graham McCourt 1999 no race 1999 2000.02 2000 Feb Monsignor 6 Norman Williamson Mark Pitman 2000.11 2000 Nov Valley Henry 5 Joe Tizzard Paul Nicholls 2001 One Knight 5 Paul Flynn Philip Hobbs 2002 Supreme Prince 5 Paul Flynn Philip Hobbs 2003 Champagne Harry 5 Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies 2004 Knowhere 6 Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies 2005 Rimsky 4 Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies 2006 Kanpai 4 Tony McCoy John O'Shea 2007 Elusive Dream 6 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls 2008 Hell's Bay 6 Sam Thomas Paul Nicholls 2009 Reve de Sivola 4 Daryl Jacob Nick Williams 2010 Silviniaco Conti 4 Noel Fehily Paul Nicholls 2011 Fingal Bay 5 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs 2012 Wonderful Charm 4 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls 2013 Timesremembered 5 Leighton Aspell Emma Lavelle 2014 Blaklion 5 Jamie Moore Nigel Twiston-Davies 2015 Roadie Joe 6 Paul Moloney Evan Williams 2016 El Bandit 5 Sean Bowen Paul Nicholls 2017 Poetic Rhythm 6 Paddy Brennan Fergal O'Brien 2018 Secret Investor 6 Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls 2019 Thyme Hill 5 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs 2020 McFabulous 6 Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls 2021 Camprond 5 Aidan Coleman Philip Hobbs 2022 Accidental Rebel 8 Paddy Brennan Fergal O'Brien 2023 Captain Teague 5 Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls 2024 Intense Approach 5 Harry Cobden John McConnell 2025 Sticktotheplan 5 Sean Bowen Olly Murphy
See also Horse racing in Great Britain List of British National Hunt races
References
Racing Post: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
pedigreequery.com – Persian War Novices' Hurdle – Chepstow.
External links Race Recordings (1987-2018) youtube.com