The Festival Plate Handicap Chase has seen an exciting shift in recent years. Siruh Du Lac's dominant win in 2019, ridden by Lizzie Kelly and trained by Nick Williams, marked an end to three years of Irish victories.
While legendary jockey Fred Winter holds the record for most wins (three, with one dead-heat), Richard Johnson and Bryan Cooper are close behind with two victories apiece. Here's a look at their past winners along with Fred Winter's:
- Fred Winter: Slender (1951, dead-heat), Sy Oui (1953), Caesar's Helm (1958)
- Richard Johnson: Balthazar King (2012), Rajdhani Express (2017)
- Bryan Cooper: The Storyteller (2018), Simply The Betts (2020)
Trainers Nicky Henderson and Martin Pipe have been particularly successful – each has saddled four winners. Here's a breakdown of their successes:
- Nicky Henderson: The Tsarevich (1985, 1986), Liberthine (2005), Non So (2006)
- Martin Pipe: Terao (1997), Majadou (1999), Dark Stranger (2000), Blowing Wind (2002)
Though Henderson hasn't tasted victory since 2006, his track record means his runners command attention. It's worth keeping a close eye on the mounts of Richard Johnson and Bryan Cooper as they strive to match Fred Winter's record.