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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
^ Run at Sandown in 2023, due to abandonment at Newcastle
^ Run at Cheltenham in 2024, due to abandonment at Ascot
Grade 2
^ Was abandoned in 2024 but the race was rescheduled at the same course.
^ Will be run at Windsor in 2025.
^ Run at Doncaster in 2024, due to abandonment at Ascot.
^ Run at Doncaster in 2024, due to abandonment at Haydock.
Premier Handicaps
Listed
Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance †
Age/Sex
2023–24 winner
October
Robert Mottram Memorial Trophy
Chase
Chepstow
2m 3½f
4yo+
Unexpected Party
October
Trustatrader Approved & Reviewed Trades People Hurdle
Hurdle
Kempton
2m
4yo+
Rubaud
Oct / Nov
Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle
Hurdle
Wetherby
2m
3yo
abandoned
Oct / Nov
Wetherby Mares' Hurdle
Hurdle
Wetherby
2m
4yo+ m
You Wear It Well
November
Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase
Chase
Carlisle
2m 4f
4yo+
Thunder Rock
November
Yorton Stallions Mares' Novices' Chase
Chase
Bangor [ a]
2m 1½f
4yo+
Arclight
November
Bud Booth Mares' Chase
Chase
Market Rasen
3m
4yo+ m
Galia Des Liteaux
November
From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Novices' Chase
Chase
Cheltenham
3m ½f
5yo+
Broadway Boy
November
Karndean Designflooring Mares' Flat Race
Flat
Cheltenham
2m ½f
4–5yo m
Baby Kate
November
Turners Open National Hunt Flat Race
Flat
Cheltenham
2m ½f
4–5yo
Brechin Castle
November
Racing TV Mares' Hurdle
Hurdle
Kempton
3m ½f
4yo+ m
Coquelicot
Nov / Dec
Bet In-Race With Coral Filles' Juvenile Hurdle
Hurdle
Newbury
2m ½f
3yo f
Wodhooh
Nov / Dec
Coral Racing-Super-Series Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Newbury
2m ½f
4yo+
Manimole
Nov / Dec
Houghton Mares' Chase
Chase
Carlisle [ b]
2m 4f
4yo+ m
Zambella
December
Boylesports Daily Money Back 2nd Juvenile Hurdle
Hurdle
Aintree
2m 1f
3yo
Liari
December
Claremont Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Sandown
2m
4yo+
Booster Bob
December
Henrietta Knight Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race
Flat
Huntingdon [ c]
2m
4–5yo
Avakate
December
Lady Godiva Mares' Novices' Chase
Chase
Warwick [ d]
2m 4f
4yo+
Arclight
December
Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Mares' Chase
Chase
Newbury
2m 7½f
4yo+ m
Pink Legend
December
Thomas Materials Open National Hunt Flat Race
Flat
Ascot
2m
4–5yo
Let It Rain
December
Abram Hurdle
Hurdle
Haydock
2m 3f
4yo+
Pawapuri
December
Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase
Chase
Doncaster
2m 4½f
4yo+ m
Limerick Lace
December
Byerley Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Taunton
2m ½f
3yo+ m
Queens Gamble
January
Family Fun "Junior" National Hunt Flat Race
Flat
Cheltenham
1m 6f
4yo
Kel Du Large
January
Unibet Try Unibet's New Acca Boost Mares' Hurdle
Hurdle
Sandown
2m 4f
4yo+
abandoned
January
Alan Swinbank Mares' National Hunt Flat Race
Flat
Market Rasen [ e]
2m ½f
4-6yo m
Diva Luna
January
Lady Protectress Mares' Chase
Chase
Huntingdon
2m 4f
5yo+ m
Brides Hill
January
SBK Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle
Hurdle
Doncaster
2m ½f
4yo f
Wodhooh
February
Scottish Triumph Hurdle
Hurdle
Musselburgh
1m 7½f
4yo
Liari
February
Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Huntingdon
2m 3½f
4yo+
Handstands
February
Warwick Mares' Hurdle
Hurdle
Warwick [ f]
2m 5f
4yo+ m
Stainsby Girl
February
Betfair Exchange Beacons Bumper
Flat
Newbury
2m ½f
4-6yo
Royal Infantry
February
Trustatrader Fully Vetted Tradespeople Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Exeter
2m ½f
4yo+
Fun Fun Fun
February
Trustatrader You Can Trust Our Traders Mares' Chase
Chase
Exeter
3m
5yo+ m
Carole's Pass
March
bet365 Premier Chase
Chase
Kelso
2m 7½f
5yo+
Thunder Rock
March
Tips For Every Race At raceday-ready.com Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Doncaster
3m ½f
5yo+ m
Pinot Rouge
March
British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' Standard Open NHF Race
Flat
Sandown
2m
4-6yo m
Honky Tonk Highway
April
Changing Young Lives At Jamie's Farm Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Cheltenham
2m 4½f
4yo+ m
Golden Ace
April
Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Perth
3m
5yo+
Sounds Russian
April
Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase
Chase
Perth
3m
5yo+ m
Apple Away
^ Run at Exeter as the Exeter Mares' Novices' Chase in 2023, due to abandonment at Bangor.
^ Run at Aintree in 2023, due to abandonment at Carlisle.
^ Run at Doncaster as the Bet365 Mares' Open NHF Race in 2023, due to abandonment at Huntingdon.
^ Run at Wincanton in 2023, due to abandonment at Warwick.
^ Was abandoned in 2024 but run in February at the same course
^ Run at Haydock over 2m 3f in 2024, due to abandonment at Warwick.
Conditions, novices, juveniles & sales
Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Status
Distance †
Class
Value £K†
Age
2023–24 winner
November
Betfair Graduation Chase
Chase
Haydock
Conditions
2m 5½f
2
50
4yo+
Grey Dawning
December
Howden Graduation Chase
Chase
Ascot
Conditions
2m 5f
2
50
4yo+
Excello
January
Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hdl
Hurdle
Lingfield [ a]
Conditions
2m 3½f
2
5yo+
abandoned
January
Winter Million Open National Hunt Flat Race
Flat
Lingfield [ a]
Conditions
2m
2
40
4-6yo
Tripoli Flyer
January
Fleur De Lys Chase
Chase
Lingfield [ a]
Conditions
2m 6f
2
165
5yo+
L'Homme Presse
January
Grand Military Gold Cup
Chase
Sandown
Conditions
3m
3
17.5
6yo+
Farceur Du Large
February
Scottish Stayers' Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Musselburgh
Novice
3m
2
20
5yo+
Ottizzini
February
Scottish Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Hurdle
Musselburgh
Novice
1m 7½f
2
20
4yo+
Panjari
February
Royal Artillery Gold Cup
Chase
Sandown
Conditions
3m
2
17.5
6yo+
Farceur Du Large
February
Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle
Hurdle
Haydock
Juvenile
1m 7½f
2
30
4yo
Salver
March
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Chase
Cheltenham
Conditions
3m 5½f
2
75
5yo+
abandoned
March
Goffs UK Spring Sale Bumper
Flat
Newbury
Sales
2m ½f
2
100
4-5yo
Regent's Stroll
† Prize money figures in italics are from the previous season, updated when available.
Other selected handicaps
Criteria for inclusion;
Class 2 or Class 3 races worth £50,000 or more run between late October and the end of the season, or £40,000 or more between the start of the season and late October.
Races worth £34,000 or more which are a course's most important race of the season or which have historical importance.
All Regional Grand National races.
Other handicap races with a linked article.
Month
Race Name
Type
Racecourse
Distance †
Class
Value £K
Age
2024–25 winner
May
Staffordshire Plate
Chase
Uttoxeter
3m
2
35
5yo+
Imperial Alex
May
Norfolk National
Chase
Fakenham
3m 5f
3
25
5yo+
Trincomalee
May
Pertemps Network Long Distance Hurdle
Hurdle
Haydock
3m ½f
2
40
4yo+
Zain Nights
May
Clarke Chase
Chase
Uttoxeter
2m 4f
2
40
5yo+
Your Darling
June
Perth Gold Cup
Chase
Perth
3m
2
34
5yo+
Statuario
June / July
Summer Cup
Chase
Uttoxeter
3m 2f
2
75
5yo+
Hang In There
June / July
Oakmere Homes Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Cartmel
2m 1f
2
40
4yo+
Fiveonefive
June / July
Oakmere Homes Handicap Chase
Chase
Cartmel
2m 5f
2
40
5yo+
Charlie Uberalles
July
Summer Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Market Rasen
2m ½f
2
60
3yo+
Castel Gandolfo
July
Cumbria Crystal Cup Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Cartmel
2m 6f
3
35.65
4yo+
Sea The Clouds
September
Prelude Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Market Rasen
2m ½f
2
40
3yo+
October
Simply Ned Handicap Chase
Chase
Kelso
2m 1f
2
40
4yo+
October
Native River Handicap Chase
Chase
Chepstow
2m 7½f
2
50
4yo+
October
Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Chepstow
2m 3½f
2
75
4yo+
October
Welsh Champion Hurdle
Hurdle
Ffos Las
2m
2
50
4yo+
October
Prelude Handicap Chase
Chase
Market Rasen
2m 5½f
2
4yo+
October
Durham National
Chase
Sedgefield
3m 5f
2
27.5
4yo+
October
Epic Value at William Hill Handicap Chase
Chase
Cheltenham
2m
2
60
4yo+
October
Epic Jumps Season at William Hill Handicap Chase
Chase
Cheltenham
3m 1f
2
60
4yo+
October
Edinburgh Gin Chase
Chase
Kelso
3m 2f
2
50
4yo+
Oct / Nov
Castletown Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Carlisle
2m 4f
2
4yo+
November
Grand Sefton Chase
Chase
Aintree
2m 5½f
2
6yo+
November
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
Chase
Cheltenham
3m 5½f
2
5yo+
November
Southern National
Chase
Fontwell
3m 3½f
3
4yo+
November
Hurst Park Chase
Chase
Ascot
2m 1f
2
4yo+
December
Rachael Blackmore Serial Winners Fund Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Sandown
2m
2
3yo+
December
London National
Chase
Sandown
3m 4½f
2
5yo+
December
Scottish Borders National
Chase
Kelso
4m ½f
3
4yo+
December
Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase
Chase
Cheltenham
3m 5½f
2
5yo+
December
Tommy Whittle Chase
Chase
Haydock
3m 1½f
2
4yo+
December
William Hill Epic Value Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Aintree
2m 4f
2
4yo+
December
Lincolnshire National
Chase
Market Rasen
3m 3½f
3
4yo+
December
Mandarin Handicap Chase
Chase
Newbury
3m 2½f
3
4yo+
January
Auld Reekie Handicap Chase
Chase
Musselburgh
2m 4½f
2
5yo+
January
Staythorpe Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Southwell
2m
2
4yo+
January
Veterans' Chase Series Final
Chase
Sandown
3m
2
10yo+
January
Sussex Stayers Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Plumpton
3m 1f
2
4yo+
January
Sussex National
Chase
Plumpton
3m 4½f
3
5yo+
January
North Yorkshire Grand National
Chase
Catterick
3m 6f
3
5yo+
January
Lanzarote Hurdle
Hurdle
Kempton
2m 5f
2
4yo+
January
Somerset National
Chase
Wincanton
3m 2½f
3
5yo+
January
Sovereign Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Lingfield [ a]
2m
2
4yo+
January
Holloway's Hurdle
Hurdle
Ascot
2m 3½f
2
4yo+
January
bet365 Handicap Chase
Chase
Ascot
2m 5f
2
5yo+
January
Godstone Handicap Chase
Chase
Lingfield [ a]
2m
2
5yo+
January
Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Lingfield [ a]
2m 7f
2
4yo+
January
Surrey National
Chase
Lingfield
3m 5f
3
5yo+
January
Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase
Chase
Cheltenham
2m 4½f
2
5yo+
Jan / Feb
Virgin Bet Handicap Chase
Chase
Sandown
1m 7½f
2
5yo+
Jan / Feb
Masters Handicap Chase
Chase
Sandown
3m
2
5yo+
February
Edinburgh National
Chase
Musselburgh
3m 7½f
2
5yo+
February
Scottish County Hurdle
Hurdle
Musselburgh
1m 7½f
2
4yo+
February
Scottish Champion Chase
Chase
Musselburgh
2m 4½f
2
5yo+
February
Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Hurdle
Hurdle
Ascot
2m 3½f
2
4yo+
February
Devon National
Chase
Exeter
3m 6½f
3
5yo+
February
Eider Chase
Chase
Newcastle
4m 1½f
2
5yo+
February
North Wales National
Chase
Bangor
3m 5½f
4
5yo+
March
Forbra Gold Cup
Chase
Ludlow
3m
3
5yo+
March
Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Hcap Chase
Chase
Doncaster
2m ½f
2
5yo+
March
Grimthorpe Handicap Chase
Chase
Doncaster
3m 2f
2
5yo+
March
Morebattle Hurdle
Hurdle
Kelso
2m 2f
2
4yo+
March
Imperial Cup
Hurdle
Sandown
2m
2
4yo+
March
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Chase
Cheltenham
3m 2f
2
5yo+
March
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Cheltenham
2m 4½f
2
4yo+
March
bet365 Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Uttoxeter
2m 7½f
2
4yo+
March
Unibet New And Improved Bet Builder Handicap Chase
Chase
Kempton
2m 4½f
2
5yo+
Mar / Apr
Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final
Hurdle
Haydock
1m 7½f
2
4yo+
Mar / Apr
Challenger Stayers' Hurdle Series Final
Hurdle
Haydock
3m ½f
2
4yo+
Mar / Apr
Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase Finale
Chase
Haydock
2m 4f
2
10yo+
Mar / Apr
West Wales National
Chase
Ffos Las
3m 4f
3
5yo+
Mar / Apr
Sussex Champion Hurdle
Hurdle
Plumpton
2m
2
4yo+
Mar / Apr
Sussex Champion Chase
Chase
Plumpton
2m 3½f
2
5yo+
April
Challenger Staying Chase Series Final
Chase
Warwick
3m
2
5yo+
Mar / Apr
Herring Queen Series Final Mares' Novices' Hcap Hdl
Hurdle
Kelso [ b]
2m
2
50[ c]
4yo+ m
Lily Du Berlais[ d]
April
Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals & Amateurs)
Hurdle
Aintree
2m ½f
2
4yo+
April
Challenger Mares' Handicap Chase Final
Chase
Cheltenham
3m 1½f
2
5yo+ m
April
Challenger Mares' Handicap Hurdle Final
Hurdle
Cheltenham
2m 4½f
2
4yo+ m
April
Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase
Chase
Ayr
2m 4½f
2
5yo+
April
Novices' Champion Handicap Chase
Chase
Ayr
3m
2
5yo+
April
Highland National
Chase
Perth
3m 6½f
3
5yo+
April
Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle
Sandown
2m
2
4yo+
^ a b c Will be run at Windsor in 2025.
^ Was abandoned in the 2023/24 season but was run in May (not technically as a novice race due to being in the current Jumps season) at the same course.
^ Reduced from £100,000 when the race was rescheduled.
^ Won the running rescheduled from the 2023/24 season.
Hunter chases
Discontinued
† Distances in miles and furlongs
References
Lists of horse races in Europe
Flat races Jump races Harness races