List of British National Hunt races
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 3 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.
Grade 1
Grade 2
| Month |
Race Name |
Type |
Racecourse |
Distance † |
Age/Sex |
2020–21 winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | Persian War Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Chepstow | 2m 3½f | 4yo + | McFabulous |
| October | Old Roan Chase | Chase | Aintree | 2m 4f | 4yo + | Nuts Well |
| Oct / Nov | West Yorkshire Hurdle | Hurdle | Wetherby | 3m 1f | 4yo + | Roksana |
| Oct / Nov | Charlie Hall Chase | Chase | Wetherby | 3m 1f | 5yo + | Cyrname |
| Oct / Nov | Haldon Gold Cup | Chase | Exeter | 2m 1½f | 4yo + | Greaneteen |
| November | Rising Stars Novices' Chase | Chase | Wincanton | 2m 5f | 4yo + | Ga Law |
| November | Elite Hurdle | Hurdle | Wincanton | 2m | 4yo + | Sceau Royal |
| November | Hyde Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | 4yo + | Does He Know |
| November | Prestbury Juvenile Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m ½f | 3yo | Duffle Coat |
| November | November Novices' Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m | 4yo + | Eldorado Allen |
| November | Shloer Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m | 5yo + | Put The Kettle On |
| November | Sharp Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m ½f | 4yo + | For Pleasure |
| November | 1965 Chase | Chase | Ascot | 2m 5f | 4yo + | Imperial Aura |
| November | Ascot Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | 2m 3½f | 4yo + | Song for Someome |
| November | Berkshire Novices' Chase | Chase | Newbury | 2m 4f | 4yo + | Caribean Boy |
| November | Long Distance Hurdle | Hurdle | Newbury | 3m | 4yo + | Thyme Hill |
| December | John Francome Novices' Chase | Chase | Newbury | 3m | 4yo + | Next Destination |
| December | Winter Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m 4f | 4yo + | Star Gate |
| December | Many Clouds Chase | Chase | Aintree | 3m 1f | 4yo + | Lake View Lad |
| December | Peterborough Chase | Chase | Huntingdon | 2m 4½f | 4yo + | Mister Fisher |
| December | Bristol Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 3m | 4yo + | Make Good |
| December | December Novices' Chase | Chase | Doncaster | 3m | 4yo + | Hurricane Harvey |
| December | Summit Juvenile Hurdle | Hurdle | Doncaster | 2m ½f | 3yo | Monmiral |
| December | International Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 1f | 4yo + | Song For Someone |
| December | Noel Novices' Chase | Chase | Ascot | 2m 5f | 4yo + | Allart |
| December | Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | 2m | 4yo + | My Drogo |
| December | Wayward Lad Novices' Chase | Chase | Kempton | 2m | 4yo + | Shishkin |
| December | Desert Orchid Chase | Chase | Kempton | 2m | 4yo + | Nube Negra |
| January | Dipper Novices' Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | 5yo + | Messire Des Obeaux |
| January | Relkeel Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 4½f | 4yo + | McFabulous |
| January | Hampton Novices' Chase | Chase | Warwick | 3m | 5yo + | Next Destination |
| January | Leamington Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Warwick | 2m 4f | 4yo + | Adrimel |
| January | Silviniaco Conti Chase | Chase | Kempton | 2m 4½f | 5yo + | Master Tommytucker |
| January | Warfield Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | 2m 7½f | 4yo + m | Roksana |
| January | Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock | 2m ½f | 4yo + | Faivoir |
| January | Altcar Novices' Chase | Chase | Haydock | 2m 4f | 5yo + | Silver Hallmark |
| January | Champion Hurdle Trial | Hurdle | Haydock | 2m ½f | 4yo + | Navajo Pass |
| January | Peter Marsh Chase | Chase | Haydock | 3m | 5yo + | Royale Pagaille |
| January | Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 1f | 4yo | |
| January | Cotswold Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 1½f | 5yo + | Native River |
| January | Classic Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 4½f | 4yo + | |
| January | Cleeve Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 3m | 5yo + | |
| Jan / Feb | River Don Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Doncaster | 3m ½f | 4yo + | The Cob |
| Jan / Feb | Lightning Novices' Chase | Chase | Doncaster | 2m ½f | 5yo + | Shishkin |
| Jan / Feb | Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Doncaster | 2m ½f | 4yo + m | Miranda |
| Jan / Feb | Towton Novices' Chase | Chase | Wetherby | 3m 1f | 5yo + | |
| February | Kingmaker Novices' Chase | Chase | Warwick | 2m | 5yo + | |
| February | Denman Chase | Chase | Newbury | 3m | 5yo + | |
| February | Game Spirit Chase | Chase | Newbury | 2m 1f | 5yo + | |
| February | Winter Bumper | Flat | Newbury | 2m ½f | 4–6yo | |
| February | Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m 4f | 4yo + m | |
| February | Reynoldstown Novices' Chase | Chase | Ascot | 3m | 5yo + | |
| February | Rendlesham Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock | 3m 1f | 4yo + | |
| February | Prestige Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock | 3m 1f | 4yo + | |
| February | Kingwell Hurdle | Hurdle | Wincanton | 2m | 4yo + | |
| February | Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Kempton | 2m | 4yo | |
| February | Pendil Novices' Chase | Chase | Kempton | 2m 4½f | 5yo + | |
| February | Dovecote Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Kempton | 2m | 4yo+ | |
| February | National Spirit Hurdle | Hurdle | Fontwell | 2m 3f | 4yo + | |
| Feb / March | Premier Kelso Hurdle | Hurdle | Kelso | 2m 2f | 4yo + | |
| March | National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup | Chase | Cheltenham | 4m | 5yo + | |
| March | Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 1f | 4yo + m | |
| March | Liberthine Mares' Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 4f | 4yo + m | |
| March | Mares' Novices' Hurdle Finale | Hurdle | Newbury | 2m 4½f | 4yo + m | |
| April | Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race | Flat | Aintree | 2m 1f | 4–6yo m | |
| April | Champion Standard Open NH Flat Race | Flat | Aintree | 2m 1f | 4–6yo | |
| April | Future Champion Novices' Chase | Chase | Ayr | 2m 4f | 5yo + | |
| April | Scottish Champion Hurdle | Hurdle | Ayr | 2m | 4yo + | |
| April | Silver Trophy Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | 5yo + | |
| April | Oaksey Chase | Chase | Sandown | 2m 7f | 5yo + | |
| April | Bet365 Select Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m 5½f | 4yo + |
Grade 3
| Month |
Race Name |
Type |
Racecourse |
Distance † |
Age |
2020–21 winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Swinton Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock | 1m 7½f | 4yo + | cancelled |
| October | Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Chepstow | 2m 4f | 4yo + | Tea Clipper |
| Oct / Nov | Sodexo Gold Cup | Chase | Ascot | 3m | 4yo + | Regal Encore |
| November | Planteur At Chapel Stud Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 3½f | 4yo + | Ramses De Teillee |
| November | Paddy Power Gold Cup | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 4½f | 4yo + | Coole Cody |
| November | Greatwood Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m ½f | 4yo + | The Shunter |
| November | Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock Park | 2m 7f | 4yo + | Main Fact |
| December | Ladbrokes Trophy | Chase | Newbury | 3m 2½f | 4yo + | Cloth Cap |
| December | Becher Chase | Chase | Aintree | 3m 2f | 5yo + | Vieux Lion Rouge |
| December | Unibet Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 2f | 4yo + | Storm Control |
| December | Caspian Caviar Gold Cup | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | 4yo + | Chatham Street Lad |
| December | Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | 2m | 4yo + | Not So Sleepy |
| December | Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase | Chase | Wetherby | 3m 1f | 4yo + | Canelo |
| December | Welsh Grand National | Chase | Chepstow | 3m 6½f | 4yo + | Secret Reprieve |
| January | Paddy Power Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | 5yo + | |
| January | Classic Chase | Chase | Warwick | 3m 5f | 5yo + | Notachance |
| January | Holloway's Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | 2m 3½f | 4yo + | Craigneiche |
| January | Spectra Cyber Security Solutions Trophy Hcap Ch | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | 5yo + | |
| Jan / Feb | Heroes Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m 6f | 4yo + | |
| February | Betfair Hurdle | Hurdle | Newbury | 2m ½f | 4yo + | |
| February | Grand National Trial | Chase | Haydock | 3m 4f | 5yo + | |
| February | Betway Handicap Chase | Chase | Kempton | 3m | 5yo + | |
| Feb / March | Greatwood Gold Cup | Chase | Newbury | 2m 4f | 5yo + | |
| March | EBF Novices' Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m 4f | 4–7yo | |
| March | Imperial Cup | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m | 4yo + | |
| March | Ultima Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m ½f | 5yo + | |
| March | Pertemps Final | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 3m | 5yo + | |
| March | Coral Cup | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | 4yo + | |
| March | Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m ½f | 4yo | |
| March | Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | 5yo + | |
| March | County Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 1f | 5yo + | |
| March | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m ½f | 5yo + | |
| April | Red Rum Handicap Chase | Chase | Aintree | 2m | 5yo + | |
| April | Merseyrail Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Aintree | 2m 4f | 4yo + | |
| April | Topham Chase | Chase | Aintree | 2m 5½f | 5yo + | |
| April | Gaskells Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Aintree | 3m ½f | 4yo + | |
| April | Betway Handicap Chase | Chase | Aintree | 3m 1f | 5yo + | |
| April | Grand National | Chase | Aintree | 4m 4f | 7yo + | |
| April | Scottish Grand National | Chase | Ayr | 4m | 5yo + | |
| April | Junior Jumpers Fillies’ Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 1f | 4yo | |
| April | Bet365 Gold Cup | Chase | Sandown | 3m 5½f | 5yo + |
Selected other races
| Month |
Race Name |
Type |
Racecourse |
Status |
Distance † |
Age |
2020-21 winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | Summer Cup | Chase | Uttoxeter | Listed handicap | 3m 2f | 5yo + | Minellacelebration |
| July | Summer Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Market Rasen | Listed handicap | 2m ½f | 3yo + | Red Force One |
| July | Summer Plate | Chase | Market Rasen | Listed handicap | 2m 5½f | 4yo + | Really Super |
| September | Prelude Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Market Rasen | Listed handicap | 2m ½f | 3yo + | Marine One |
| October | Robert Mottram Memorial Trophy | Chase | Chepstow | Listed | 2m 3½f | 4yo + | Grand Sancy |
| October | Welsh Champion Hurdle | Hurdle | Ffos Las | Handicap | 2m | 4yo + | Sceau Royal |
| October | Racing TV Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Kempton | Listed | 2m | 4yo + | Mrs Hyde |
| October | Racing TV Hurdle | Hurdle | Kempton | Listed | 2m | 4yo + | Silver Streak |
| October | Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle | Hurdle | Wetherby | Listed | 2m | 3yo | Duffle Coat |
| October | Bet365 Handicap Chase | Chase | Wetherby | Listed handicap | 2m 3½f | 4yo + | Huntsman Son |
| October | Tote.co.uk Handicap Chase | Chase | Ascot | Listed handicap | 2m 1f | 4yo + | Amoola Gold |
| October | Sodexo Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | Listed handicap | 1m 7½f | 4yo + | Kid Commando |
| October | Wetherby Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Wetherby | Listed | 2m | 4yo + | Mrs Hyde |
| November | Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase | Chase | Carlisle | Listed | 2m 4f | 4yo + | Imperial Aura |
| November | Bud Booth Mares' Chase | Chase | Market Rasen | Listed | 3m | 4yo + | Chilli Filli |
| November | Badger Beers Silver Trophy | Chase | Wincanton | Listed handicap | 3m 1½f | 4yo + | El Presente |
| November | Future Stars Intermediate Chase | Chase | Sandown | Listed | 3m ½f | 4yo + | Pym |
| November | Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race | Flat | Cheltenham | Listed | 2m ½f | 4–6yo m | Elle Est Belle / Ishkhara Lady |
| November | Big Buck's Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | Listed | 3m | 4yo + | On The Blind Side |
| November | Kempton Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Kempton | Listed | 3m ½f | 4yo + | Bannixtown Glory |
| December | Gerry Feilden Hurdle | Hurdle | Newbury | Listed handicap | 2m ½f | 4yo + | Floressa |
| Nov / Dec | Houghton Mares' Chase | Chase | Carlisle | Listed | 2m 4f | 4yo + | My Old Gold |
| December | Grand Sefton Chase | Chase | Aintree | Handicap | 2m 5½f | 6yo + | Beau Bay |
| December | Championship Standard Open NHF Race | Flat | Ascot | Listed | 2m | 4–6yo | Knappers Hill |
| December | Good Luck Hollie in SPOTY Silver Cup | Chase | Ascot | Listed handicap | 3m | 4yo + | Mister Malarky |
| December | Tommy Whittle Chase | Chase | Haydock | Handicap | 3m | 4yo + | Sam's Adventure |
| December | Castleford Chase | Chase | Wetherby | Handicap | 2m | 5yo + | First Flow |
| December | Mandarin Handicap Chase | Chase | Newbury | Handicap | 3m 2½f | 4yo + | Amateur |
| December | Byerley Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Taunton | Listed | 2m ½f | 3yo + | Talking About You |
| January | Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race | Flat | Cheltenham | Listed | 1m 6f | 4yo | Tweed Skirt |
| January | Sussex National | Chase | Plumpton | Handicap | 3m 4½f | 5yo + | Seaston Spirit |
| January | Lanzarote Hurdle | Hurdle | Kempton | Handicap | 2m 5f | 4yo + | Boreham Bill |
| January | Sky Bet Handicap Chase | Chase | Doncaster | Listed handicap | 3m | 5yo + | Takingrisks |
| January | Lady Protectress Chase | Chase | Huntingdon | Listed | 2m 4f | 5yo + m | Annie Mc |
| Jan / Feb | Contenders Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | Listed | 2m ½f | 5yo + | |
| Jan / Feb | Gainsborough Chase | Chase | Sandown | Handicap | 3m ½f | 5yo + | |
| February | Scottish County Hurdle | Hurdle | Musselburgh | Handicap | 2m | 4yo + | |
| February | Scottish Triumph Hurdle Trial | Hurdle | Musselburgh | Listed | 2m | 4yo | |
| February | Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Huntingdon | Listed | 2m 3½f | 4yo + | |
| February | Morebattle Hurdle | Hurdle | Kelso | Conditions | 2m 2f | 4yo + | |
| February | Royal Artillery Gold Cup | Chase | Sandown | Conditions | 3m | 6yo + | |
| February | Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock Park | Conditions | 2m | 4yo | |
| February | Swinley Chase | Chase | Ascot | Listed handicap | 3m | 5yo + | |
| February | Eider Chase | Chase | Newcastle | Handicap | 4m 1f | 5yo + | |
| Feb / March | Geoffrey Gilbey Handicap Chase | Chase | Newbury | Handicap | 2m 1f | 5yo + | |
| Feb / March | Grimthorpe Handicap Chase | Chase | Doncaster | Handicap | 3m 2f | 5yo + | |
| March | Grand Military Gold Cup | Chase | Sandown | Conditions | 3m ½f | 5yo + | |
| March | Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase | Chase | Sandown | Listed handicap | 2m 5f | 5yo + | |
| March | Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | Conditions | 3m 7f | 5yo + | |
| March | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Chase | Cheltenham | Handicap | 3m 1½f | 5yo + | |
| March | St James's Place Foxhunter Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | Conditions | 3m 2½f | 5yo + | |
| March | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | Handicap | 2m 4½f | 4yo + | |
| March | Midlands Grand National | Chase | Uttoxeter | Listed handicap | 4m 2f | 5yo + | |
| April | Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase | Chase | Aintree | Conditions | 2m 5f | 6yo + | |
Discontinued
| Last Run |
Race Name |
Type |
Racecourse |
Distance † |
Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 1990 | Greenall Whitley Gold Cup | Chase | Haydock Park | 3m | 5yo + |
| January 1994 | West of Scotland Pattern Novices' Chase | Chase | Ayr | 2m 4f | 5yo + |
| February 1996 | Timeform Chase | Chase | Haydock Park | 2m 4f | 5yo + |
| March 1996 | Beaufort Hurdle | Hurdle | Chepstow | 2m ½f | 5yo |
| February 1997 | Fairlawne Chase | Chase | Windsor | 3m | 5yo + |
| January 1998 | New Year's Day Hurdle | Hurdle | Windsor | 2m | 4yo + |
| November 1999 | Hurst Park Novices' Chase | Chase | Ascot | 2m | 5yo + |
| January 2000 | Anthony Mildmay, Peter Cazalet Memorial Chase | Chase | Sandown Park | 3m 5½f | 5yo+ |
| December 2000 | Knights Royal Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | 2m ½f | 4-5yo |
| January 2003 | John Bull Chase | Chase | Wincanton | 2m 5f | 5yo + |
| January 2004 | ASW Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 4m 1f | 5yo + |
| January 2004 | Premier Stayers' Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock Park | 2m 7½f | 5yo + |
| March 2004 | Cathcart Challenge Cup | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 5f | 5yo + |
| November 2004 | Terry Biddlecombe Challenge Trophy | Chase | Wincanton | 2m 5f | 5yo + |
| January 2006 | Churchill Road Hurdle | Hurdle | Lingfield | 2m 3½f | 4yo + |
| February 2008 | Jim Ford Challenge Cup | Chase | Wincanton | 3m 1½f | 5yo + |
† Distances in miles and furlongs
References
- Rae, George (1992). A Guide to The National Hunt Pattern. The Sporting Life. pp. 9–14. ISBN 0901091448.