List of British National Hunt races explained

A list of notable National Hunt horse races which take place annually in Great Britain, under the authority of the British Horseracing Authority, including all races which currently hold Grade 1, 2 or Premier Handicap status.

History of the National Hunt Pattern

A National Hunt (NH) Pattern of important races was first recognized in 1964 when the Horserace Betting Levy Board made a grant of £64,000 to fund a "prestige race allocation" split between the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National. In 1968 a Jump Racing Pattern Committee headed by Lord Leverhulme recommended the creation of a formal NH Pattern, which came into being in 1969 with 14 races initially. The Pattern underwent further revisions in the 1980s and was subject to a major change in 1989 when the Jockey Club, the governing body of British horseracing at the time, overhauled the Pattern to create a mid-season and season-ending Grade 1 race in each of twelve categories, with lead-up Grade 2 races and a set of 14 major handicaps of Grade 3 status.[1] This forms the basis of the current Pattern, which has since been subject to further changes in status and number of races, most recently for the 2023–24 season.[2] Major changes took place in the 2022–23 season when the Grade 3 handicaps were renamed Premier Handicaps and Listed handicaps were removed from the pattern, either becoming Premier Handicaps or being downgraded to Class 2 status.[3] [4]

Grade 1

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Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance †
Age/Sex
2024–25 winner
Chase 5yo+Royale Pagaille
Hurdle 4yo+Sir Gino
Chase 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Hurdle 3yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+ m
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Flat 4yo * 4–6yo
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+

Grade 2

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Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance †
Age/Sex
2024–25 winner
Hurdle 4yo+Flying Fortune
Hurdle 4yo+Valgrand
Chase 4yo+Minella Drama
Hurdle 4yo+Beacon Edge
Chase 5yo+The Real Whacker
Chase 4yo+JPR One
Chase 4yo+Boombawn
Hurdle 4yo+Rubaud
Chase 5yo+Jonbon
Hurdle 4yo+Potters Charm
Hurdle 3yoEast India Dock
Chase 4yo+L'Eau Du Sud
Hurdle 4yo+Roadlesstravelled
Chase 4yo+Pic D'Orhy
Hurdle 4yo+Lucky Place
Chase 4yo+The Jukebox Man
Hurdle 4yo+Strong Leader
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Hurdle 3yo
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+ m
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+ m
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+ m
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+ m
Chase 4yo+ m
Hurdle 4yo+ m
Flat 4–6yo m
Flat 4–6yo
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 5yo+
Hurdle4yo+

Premier Handicaps

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Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance †
Age
2024-25 winner
Hurdle 4yo+Pickanumber
Chase 4yo+Sure Touch
Chase 4yo+Genois
Chase 4yo+Martator
Chase 4yo+Chianti Classico
Chase 4yo+Al Dancer
Chase 4yo+Il Ridoto
Chase 4yo+Abuffalosoldier
Hurdle 4yo+Burdett Road
Hurdle 4yo+Shoot First
Hurdle 4yo+Navajo Indy
Chase 4yo+Kandoo Kid
Chase 4yo+Frero Banbou
Chase 5yo+
Chase 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Hurdle 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
Chase 4yo+
021 January Chase 5yo+
022 January Chase 5yo+
023 January Chase 5yo+
024 January Chase 5yo+
025 January Chase 5yo+
026 Jan / Feb Hurdle 4yo+
027 February Hurdle 4yo+
028 February Chase 5yo+
029 February Chase 5yo+
030 February Chase 5yo+
031 March Chase 5yo+
032 March Hurdle 4yo * 4–7yo
035 March Chase 5yo+
036 March Hurdle 4yo
037 March Hurdle 4yo+
038 March Chase 5yo+
039 March Hurdle 5yo+
040 March Chase 5yo+
041 March Hurdle 5yo+
042 March Chase 5yo+
043 April Chase 5yo+
044 April Hurdle 4yo+
045 April Chase 5yo+
046 April Hurdle 4yo+
047 April Chase 5yo+
048 April Chase 7yo+
049 April Hurdle 4yo f
049 April Chase 5yo+ m
050 April Chase 5yo+
051 April Chase 5yo+
052 April Chase 5yo+

Listed

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Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance †
Age/Sex
2024–25 winner
Chase 4yo+Springwell Bay
Trustatrader Approved & Reviewed Trades People Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+Rubaud
Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle Hurdle 3yoLiam Swagger
Hurdle 4yo+ mTake No Chances
Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase Chase 4yo+Marble Sands
Chase 4yo+ mTerresita
Yorton Stallions Mares' Novices' Chase Chase 4yo+Shecouldbeanything
Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices' Chase Chase 5yo+Hyland
Flat 4–5yo mSeo Linn
Junior Jumpers Open National Hunt Flat Race Flat 4–5yoFortune De Mer
Hurdle 4yo+ mKateira
Bud Booth Mares' Chase Chase 4yo+ mMarsh Wren
Bet In-Race With Coral Filles' Juvenile Hurdle Hurdle 3yo fOpec
Coral Racing-Super-Series Mares' Novices' Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+Listentoyourheart
Hurdle 3yo
Claremont Novices' Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+
Henrietta Knight Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race Flat 4–5yo
Lady Godiva Mares' Novices' Chase Chase 4yo+
Doncaster Mares' Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+ m
Thomas Materials Open National Hunt Flat Race Flat 4–5yo
Abram Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+
Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase Chase 4yo+ m
Byerley Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle Hurdle 3yo+ m
Family Fun "Junior" National Hunt Flat Race Flat 4yo
Unibet Mares' Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+
Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Mares' Chase Chase 4yo+ m
Alan Swinbank Mares' National Hunt Flat Race Flat 4-6yo m
Download The Raceday Ready App Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle Hurdle 4yo f
Scottish Triumph Hurdle Hurdle 4yo
Lady Protectress Mares' Chase Chase 5yo+ m
Agatha Christie Mares' Novices' Chase Chase 5yo+ m
Hurdle 4yo+
Warwick Mares' Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+ m
Flat 4-6yo
Trustatrader Fully Vetted Tradespeople Novices' Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+
Trustatrader You Can Trust Our Traders Mares' Chase Chase 5yo+ m
bet365 Premier Chase Chase 5yo+
Tips For Every Race At raceday-ready.com Mares' Novices' Hurdle Hurdle 5yo+ m
British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' Standard Open NHF Race Flat 4-6yo m
UNNAMED Mares' Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+ m
Changing Young Lives At Jamie's Farm Mares' Novices' Hurdle Hurdle 4yo+ m
Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Hurdle 5yo+
Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase Chase 5yo+ m

Conditions, novices, juveniles & sales

Criteria for inclusion;

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Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Status
Distance †
Class
Value £K†
Age
2024–25 winner
Rising Stars Silver Bowl Novices' Chase Chase Novice 2 40 4yo+Captain Teague
Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase Chase Conditions 2 50 4yo+Nells Son
Betfair Graduation Chase Chase Conditions 2 50 4yo+Trelawne
Howden Graduation Chase Chase Conditions 2 50 4yo+
Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hdl Hurdle Conditions 2 100 5yo+
Fleur De Lys Chase Chase Conditions 2 165 5yo+
Chase Conditions 3 15 6yo+
Chase Conditions 2 17.5 6yo+
Hurdle Juvenile 2 30 4yo
Goffs UK Spring Sale Bumper Flat Sales 2 100 4-5yo
† Prize money figures in italics are from the previous season, updated when available.

Other selected handicaps

Criteria for inclusion;

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Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance †
Class
Value £K
Age
2024–25 winner
Staffordshire Plate Chase 2 35 5yo+Imperial Alex
Norfolk National Chase 3255yo+Trincomalee
Pertemps Network Long Distance Hurdle Hurdle 2404yo+Zain Nights
Clarke Chase Chase 240 5yo+Your Darling
Perth Gold Cup Chase 234 5yo+Statuario
Chase 275 5yo+Hang In There
Oakmere Homes Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 240 4yo+Fiveonefive
Oakmere Homes Handicap Chase Chase 240 5yo+Charlie Uberalles
Hurdle 260 3yo+Castel Gandolfo
Cumbria Crystal Cup Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 335.65 4yo+Sea The Clouds
Fixed Brush Hurdle Series Final Novices' Hcap Hurdle Hurdle 270 3yo+Flying Fortune
Hurdle 240 3yo+Saint Riquier
Simply Ned Handicap Chase Chase 240 4yo+Breizh River
Native River Handicap Chase Chase 250 4yo+Neon Moon
Hurdle 275 4yo+Josh The Boss
Hurdle 250 4yo+Lump Sum
Durham National Chase 227.5 4yo+Jesuitique
Prestbury Handicap Chase Chase 2100 4yo+Calico
William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase Chase 2100 4yo+Senior Chief
Edinburgh Gin Chase Chase 250 4yo+Elvis Mail
Lavazza Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 260 3yo+Our Champ
Castletown Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 235 4yo+Castle Rushen
Cumberland Handicap Chase Chase 335 4yo+Val Dancer
Chase 275 6yo+King Turgeon
Portek Limited Handicap Chase Chase 240 4yo+Celebre D'Allen
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase Chase 235 5yo+Sweet David
Southern National Chase 322 4yo+Unanswered Prayers
Three Counties Christmas Handicap Chase Chase 250 4yo+Matata
Betfair Racing Podcasts Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 250 4yo+Steel Ally
Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase Chase 250 4yo+Fontaine Collonges
Berkshire National Chase 275 5yo+Beauport
Hurst Park Chase Chase 2100 4yo+Martator
Coral Racing Club Handicap Chase Chase 255 4yo+Le Patron
Jim Joel Memorial Trophy Chase 250 4yo+General Medrano
Betfair Plays Different Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 250 3yo+
London National Chase 250 5yo+
Scottish Borders National Chase 350 4yo+
Richard Landale Memorial Handicap Chase Chase 275 4yo+
Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase Chase 240 5yo+
Get Raceday Ready Handicap Chase Chase 250 4yo+
Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 250 3yo+
Chase 250 4yo+
Lincolnshire National Chase 322 4yo+
Ladbrokes Get Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase Chase 350 4yo+
Chase 275 4yo+
Paddy Power Handicap Chase Chase 250 5yo+
Auld Reekie Handicap Chase Chase 240 5yo+
Staythorpe Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 275 4yo+
Veterans' Chase Series Final Chase 2100 9yo+
Sussex Stayers Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 275 4yo+
Sussex National Chase 335 5yo+
North Yorkshire Grand National Chase 321 5yo+
Hurdle 2100 4yo+
Somerset National Chase 327.5 5yo+
Sovereign Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 2110 4yo+
Hurdle 230 4yo+
bet365 Handicap Chase Chase 2100 5yo+
Sky Bet Cheltenham Non-Runner No Bet Hcap Hurdle Hurdle 350 4yo+
Great Park Handicap Chase Chase 250 5yo+
Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 265 4yo+
Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase Chase 240 5yo+
Get The Inside Track With raceday-ready.com Hcap Ch Chase 250 5yo+
Surrey National Chase 330 5yo+
Virgin Bet Handicap Chase Chase 25yo+
Chase 25yo+
Edinburgh National Chase25yo+
Scottish County Hurdle Hurdle 24yo+
Scottish Champion Chase Chase 25yo+
Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Hurdle Hurdle 24yo+
Devon National Chase 35yo+
Chase 25yo+
North Wales National Chase 45yo+
Forbra Gold Cup Chase 35yo+
Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Hcap Chase Chase 25yo+
Chase 25yo+
Hurdle 24yo+
Hurdle 24yo+
Chase 2 100 5yo+
Chase 2 75 5yo+
Chase 275 5yo+
Hurdle 275 4yo+
bet365 Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 24yo+
Unibet New And Improved Bet Builder Handicap Chase Chase 25yo+
Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Hurdle 24yo+
Challenger Stayers' Hurdle Series Final Hurdle 24yo+
Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase Finale Chase 210yo+
West Wales National Chase 35yo+
Sussex Champion Hurdle Hurdle 24yo+
Sussex Champion Chase Chase 25yo+
Challenger Staying Chase Series Final Chase 25yo+
Herring Queen Series Final Mares' Novices' Hcap Hdl Hurdle 250 4yo+ mLily Du Berlais
Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals & Amateurs) Hurdle 24yo+
Challenger Mares' Handicap Chase Final Chase 25yo+ m
Challenger Mares' Handicap Hurdle Final Hurdle 24yo+ m
Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase Chase 25yo+
Novices' Champion Handicap Chase Chase 25yo+
Highland National Chase 35yo+
Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle Hurdle 24yo+

Hunter Chase Triple Crown

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Month
Race Name
Racecourse
Distance †
Age
2025 winner
5yo+
6yo+
Stratford Foxhunters' Champion Hunters' Chase 5yo+

Discontinued

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Last Run
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance †
Age
001 February 1990 Chase5yo+
002 January 1994 West of Scotland Pattern Novices' Chase Chase5yo+
003 February 1996 Chase5yo+
004 March 1996 Hurdle5yo
005 February 1997 Chase5yo+
006 January 1998 Hurdle 4yo+
007 November 1999 Chase5yo+
008 January 2000 Chase 5yo+
009 December 2000 Hurdle 4-5yo
010 January 2003 Chase 5yo+
011 January 2004 Chase 5yo+
012 January 2004 Hurdle 5yo+
013 March 2004 Chase 5yo+
014 November 2004 Chase 5yo+
015 November 2004 Chase 5yo+
016 January 2006 Hurdle 4yo+
017 February 2008 Chase 5yo+
018 December 2021 Hurdle 4yo+
019 December 2021 Chase 4yo+
020 January 2022 Chase 5yo+
021 January 2022 Hurdle 4yo+
022 February 2022 Hurdle 4yo+
023 December 2022 Chase 4yo+
024 December 2022 Chase 4yo+
025 January 2023 Chase 5yo+
026 January 2023 Hurdle 4yo+
027 April 2023 Chase 5yo+

† Distances in miles and furlongs

References

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Notes and References

  1. Book: Rae. George. A Guide to The National Hunt Pattern. 1992. The Sporting Life. 0901091448. 9–14.
  2. Web site: Package of changes agreed to help strengthen performance of British Jump racing . British Horseracing Authority . 26 September 2023 . 26 April 2023.
  3. Web site: Robson . Michael . Chepstow disappointed as Finale Hurdle loses Grade 1 tag in jumps Pattern shift . Racing Post . 12 August 2022.
  4. Web site: Jump Pattern Committee update 22/23 season . British Horseracing Authority . 12 August 2022.

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