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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 [ edit ] 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] [ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
^ Run at Sandown in 2023, due to abandonment at Newcastle
^ Run at Cheltenham in 2024, due to abandonment at Ascot
^ 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.
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.
[ edit ]
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 [ edit ] Criteria for inclusion;
Class 2 or Class 3 races worth £50,000 or more run between mid-October and the end of the season, or £40,000 or more between the start of the season and mid-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 Durham National
Chase
Sedgefield 3m 5f
2
27.5
4yo+
October Prestbury Handicap Chase
Chase
Cheltenham 2m
2
100
4yo+
October Epic Jumps Season at William Hill Handicap Chase
Chase
Cheltenham 3m 1f
2
100
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' Handicap 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.
† Distances in miles and furlongs
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