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 Premier Handicap status, with distances shown in miles and furlongs (rounded to the nearest half-furlong).
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
Grade 2
Premier Handicaps
Listed
| Month |
Race Name |
Type |
Racecourse |
Distance |
Age/Sex |
2026–27 winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | Robert Mottram Memorial Trophy | Chase | Chepstow | 2m 3½f | 4yo+ | |
| October | CopyBet Hurdle | Hurdle | Kempton | 2m | 4yo+ | |
| Oct / Nov | Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle | Hurdle | Wetherby | 2m | 3yo | |
| Oct / Nov | bet365 Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Wetherby | 2m | 4yo+ m | |
| November | Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase | Chase | Carlisle | 2m 4f | 4yo+ | |
| November | Houghton Mares' Chase | Chase | Carlisle | 2m 4f | 4yo+ m | |
| November | Yorton Stallions Mares' Novices' Chase | Chase | Bangor | 2m 1½f | 4yo+ m | |
| November | Sun's "Save Our Bets" Novices' Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m ½f | 5yo+ | |
| November | Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team Mares' Open NHF Race | Flat | Cheltenham | 2m ½f | 4–5yo m | |
| November | Three Counties Christmas Open National Hunt Flat Race | Flat | Cheltenham | 2m ½f | 4–5yo | |
| November | Copybet Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Kempton | 2m 5f | 4yo+ m | |
| November | Bud Booth Mares' Chase | Chase | Market Rasen | 3m | 4yo+ m | |
| Nov / Dec | Bet In-Race With Coral Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle | Hurdle | Newbury | 2m ½f | 3yo f | |
| Nov / Dec | Coral Racing-Super-Series Mares' Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Newbury | 2m ½f | 4yo+ m | |
| December | Wirral Juvenile Hurdle | Hurdle | Aintree | 2m 1f | 3yo | |
| December | Claremont Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m | 4yo+ | |
| December | Henrietta Knight Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race | Flat | Huntingdon | 2m | 4–5yo m | |
| December | Lady Godiva Mares' Novices' Chase | Chase | Warwick | 2m 4f | 4yo+ m | |
| December | Doncaster Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Doncaster | 3m ½f | 4yo+ m | |
| December | King Edward VII Ascot Membership Open NH Flat Race | Flat | Ascot | 1m 7½f | 4–5yo | |
| December | Abram Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock | 2m 3f | 4yo+ | |
| December | Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase | Chase | Doncaster | 2m 4½f | 4yo+ m | |
| December | Byerley Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Taunton | 2m ½f | 3yo+ m | |
| January | 18–24 Get Your Racepass "Junior" National Hunt Flat Race | Flat | Cheltenham | 2m 1f | 4yo | |
| January | Unibet Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m 4f | 4yo+ m | |
| January | Berrymoss Novices' Chase | Chase | Kelso | 2m 4f | 5yo+ | |
| January | Alder Demain & Akers Mares' Chase | Chase | Newbury | 2m 7½f | 5yo+ m | |
| January | Alan Swinbank Mares' National Hunt Flat Race | Flat | Market Rasen | 2m ½f | 4-6yo m | |
| January | Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle | Hurdle | Doncaster | 2m ½f | 4yo f | |
| Jan / Feb | Scottish Triumph Hurdle | Hurdle | Musselburgh | 1m 7½f | 4yo | |
| February | Lady Protectress Mares' Chase | Chase | Huntingdon | 2m 4f | 5yo+ m | |
| February | Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Huntingdon | 2m 3½f | 4yo+ | |
| February | Newbury Bumper | Flat | Newbury | 2m ½f | 4-6yo | |
| February | Warwick Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Warwick | 2m 5f | 4yo+ m | |
| February | Agatha Christie Mares' Novices' Chase | Chase | Exeter | 2m 1½f | 5yo+ m | |
| February | CopyBet Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Exeter | 2m ½f | 4yo+ | |
| February | South West Rail Solutions Ltd Mares' Chase | Chase | Exeter | 3m | 5yo+ m | |
| March | Premier Chase | Chase | Kelso | 2m 7½f | 5yo+ | |
| March | Livescore Bet Mares' Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Doncaster | 3m ½f | 5yo+ m | |
| March | British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' Standard Open NHF Race | Flat | Sandown | 2m | 4-6yo m | |
| March | Beeswing Mares' Hurdle | Hurdle | Kelso | 3m 2f | 5yo+ m | |
| April | Changing Young Lives At Jamie's Farm Mares' Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 4½f | 4yo+ m | |
| April | Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle | Hurdle | Perth | 3m | 5yo+ | |
| April | Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase | Chase | Perth | 3m | 5yo+ m |
Conditions, novices, juveniles & sales
Criteria for inclusion;
- Class 2 conditions, novice or juvenile races worth £50,000 or more, or £40,000 or more and are of historical importance.
- Any sales race.
- Other conditions, novice or juvenile races with a linked article.
| Month |
Race Name |
Type |
Racecourse |
Status |
Distance |
Class |
Value £K |
Age |
2026–27 winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase | Chase | Carlisle | Conditions | 2m | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Betfair Graduation Chase | Chase | Haydock | Conditions | 2m 5½f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| December | Howden Graduation Chase | Chase | Ascot | Conditions | 2m 5f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| January | Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hdl | Hurdle | Windsor | Conditions | 2m 4f | 2 | 100 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Fleur De Lys Chase | Chase | Windsor | Conditions | 2m 6f | 2 | 165 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Grand Military Gold Cup | Chase | Sandown | Conditions | 3m | 3 | 17.5 | 6yo+ | |
| February | Royal Artillery Gold Cup | Chase | Sandown | Conditions | 3m | 3 | 17.5 | 6yo+ | |
| February | Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock | Juvenile | 1m 7½f | 2 | 20 | 4yo | |
| March | Goffs Hundred Grand Bumper | Flat | Newbury | Sales | 2m ½f | 2 | 100 | 4-5yo |
Other selected handicaps
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 Class 2 or Class 3 Regional Grand National races, and any Cross-Country race.
- Other handicap races with a linked article.
| Month |
Race Name |
Type |
Racecourse |
Distance |
Class |
Value £K |
Age |
2026–27 winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Staffordshire Plate | Chase | Uttoxeter | 3m | 2 | 35 | 5yo+ | Joyeux Machin |
| May | Norfolk National | Chase | Fakenham | 3m 5f | 3 | 25 | 5yo+ | Tommie Beau |
| May | Fakenham Grand Prix Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Fakenham | 2m 4f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | Rialannah |
| May | Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock | 3m ½f | 2 | 40 | 4yo+ | Matty's Getaway |
| May | Clarke Chase | Chase | Uttoxeter | 2m 4f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | Glengouly |
| June | Perth Gold Cup | Chase | Perth | 3m | 2 | 34 | 5yo+ | Riskintheground |
| June | Summer Cup | Chase | Uttoxeter | 3m | 2 | 75 | 5yo+ | Imperial Alex |
| June | Oakmere Homes Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Cartmel | 2m 1f | 2 | 43 | 4yo+ | Filibustering |
| June | Oakmere Homes Handicap Chase | Chase | Cartmel | 2m 5f | 2 | 43 | 5yo+ | Breizh River |
| July | Summer Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Market Rasen | 2m ½f | 2 | 60 | 3yo+ | High Fibre |
| September | ARC Summer Chase Series Final Handicap Chase | Chase | Worcester | 2m 4f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| September | Fixed Brush Hurdle Series Final Novices' Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Worcester | 2m 4f | 2 | 70 | 3yo+ | |
| September | Prelude Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Market Rasen | 2m ½f | 2 | 35 | 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 | Welsh Champion Hurdle | Hurdle | Chepstow | 2m | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| October | Durham National | Chase | Sedgefield | 3m 5f | 2 | 27.5 | 4yo+ | |
| October | squareintheair.com Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | |
| October | William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 1f | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | |
| October | Edinburgh Gin Chase | Chase | Kelso | 3m 2f | 2 | 40 | 4yo+ | |
| October | Grundon Waste Management Handicap Chase | Chase | Ascot | 2m 1f | 100 | 4yo+ | ||
| October | Lavazza Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | 1m 7½f | 2 | 60 | 3yo+ | |
| November | Castletown Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Carlisle | 2m 4f | 2 | 35 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Cumberland Handicap Chase | Chase | Carlisle | 3m 2f | 3 | 35 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Weatherbys And Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase | Chase | Bangor | 3m | 2 | 40 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 5½f | 2 | 35 | 5yo+ | |
| November | Southern National | Chase | Fontwell | 3m 3½f | 3 | 22 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Betfair Racing Podcasts Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Haydock | 2m 3f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase | Chase | Haydock | 3m 1½f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Berkshire National | Chase | Ascot | 3m 5½f | 2 | 75 | 5yo+ | |
| November | Hurst Park Chase | Chase | Ascot | 2m 1f | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Coral 'Daily Rewards Shaker' Handicap Chase | Chase | Newbury | 2m 4f | 2 | 55 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase | Chase | Newbury | 2m 6½f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| November | Jim Joel Memorial Trophy | Chase | Newbury | 2m ½f | 3 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| December | Bet At Your Best With Betfair Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m | 2 | 50 | 3yo+ | |
| December | London National | Chase | Sandown | 3m 4½f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| December | Grand Sefton Chase | Chase | Aintree | 2m 5½f | 2 | 100 | 6yo+ | |
| December | Scottish Borders National | Chase | Kelso | 4m ½f | 3 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| December | Richard Landale Handicap Chase | Chase | Kelso | 2m 1f | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | |
| December | Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 5½f | 2 | 40 | 5yo+ | |
| December | Pennine Handicap Chase | Chase | Doncaster | 3m | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| December | Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Doncaster | 2m ½f | 2 | 50 | 3yo+ | |
| December | Tommy Whittle Chase | Chase | Haydock | 3m 1½f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| December | Lincolnshire National | Chase | Market Rasen | 3m 3½f | 3 | 20 | 4yo+ | |
| December | Ladbrokes 'Big Football Bet Builder Boosts' Hcap Chase | Chase | Kempton | 3m | 3 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| December | Castleford Chase | Chase | Wetherby | 1m 7f | 2 | 30 | 4yo+ | |
| December | Mandarin Handicap Chase | Chase | Newbury | 3m 2f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| January | Betfair Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 1½f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Auld Reekie Handicap Chase | Chase | Musselburgh | 2m 4½f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| January | New Year's Day Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Windsor | 2m 4f | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | |
| January | Stayers' Veterans' Handicap Chase Series Final | Chase | Sandown | 3m | 2 | 100 | 10yo+ | |
| January | Sussex Stayers Hurdle | Hurdle | Plumpton | 3m 1f | 2 | 65 | 4yo+ | |
| January | Sussex National | Chase | Plumpton | 3m 4½f | 2 | 65 | 5yo+ | |
| January | North Yorkshire Grand National | Chase | Catterick | 3m 6f | 3 | 20 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Lanzarote Hurdle | Hurdle | Kempton | 2m 5f | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | |
| January | 1461 Handicap Chase | Chase | Wetherby | 2m 3½f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Somerset National | Chase | Wincanton | 3m 2½f | 3 | 30 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Sovereign Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Windsor | 2m | 2 | 110 | 4yo+ | |
| January | bet365 Handicap Chase | Chase | Ascot | 2m 5f | 2 | 100 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Holloway's Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | 2m 3½f | 2 | 30 | 4yo+ | |
| January | Great Park Handicap Chase | Chase | Windsor | 2m | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Windsor | 3m | 2 | 65 | 4yo+ | |
| January | Queen Boudica Series Final Mares' Handicap Chase | Chase | Fakenham | 2m 5f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ m | |
| January | Surrey National | Chase | Lingfield | 3m 5f | 3 | 30 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 2m 4½f | 2 | 40 | 5yo+ | |
| January | Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase | Chase | Doncaster | 2m ½f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| February | Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase | Chase | Sandown | 1m 7½f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| February | Masters Handicap Chase | Chase | Sandown | 3m | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| February | Scottish County Hurdle | Hurdle | Musselburgh | 1m 7½f | 2 | 40 | 4yo+ | |
| February | Scottish Champion Chase | Chase | Musselburgh | 2m 4½f | 2 | 75 | 5yo+ | |
| February | Edinburgh National | Chase | Musselburgh | 3m 7½f | 2 | 60 | 5yo+ | |
| February | Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Ascot | 2m 3½f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| February | Devon National | Chase | Exeter | 3m 6½f | 3 | 25 | 5yo+ | |
| February | Eider Chase | Chase | Newcastle | 4m 1½f | 2 | 80 | 5yo+ | |
| March | Geoffrey Gilbey Trophy | Chase | Newbury | 2m ½f | 3 | 20 | 5yo+ | |
| March | Grimthorpe Handicap Chase | Chase | Doncaster | 3m 2f | 2 | 70 | 5yo+ | |
| March | Morebattle Hurdle | Hurdle | Kelso | 2m 2f | 2 | 120 | 4yo+ | |
| March | Imperial Cup | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | |
| March | Princess Royal National Hunt Novices' Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 6f | 2 | 100 | 5yo+ | |
| March | Glenfarclas Cross Country Limited Handicap Chase | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 5½f | 2 | 75 | 5yo+ | |
| March | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 2½f | 2 | 75 | 5yo+ | |
| March | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 4½f | 2 | 75 | 4yo+ | |
| March | JenningsBet Novices' Handicap Chase | Chase | Uttoxeter | 3m | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| March | JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Uttoxeter | 2m 7½f | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | |
| March | Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Chase | Chase | Kempton | 2m 4½f | 2 | 60 | 5yo+ | |
| March | Herring Queen Series Final Mares' Novices' Hcap Hurdle | Hurdle | Kelso | 2m | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ m | |
| April | Challenger Two Mile Handicap Hurdle Final | Hurdle | Haydock | 1m 7½f | 2 | 40 | 4yo+ | |
| April | Challenger Stayers Handicap Hurdle Final | Hurdle | Haydock | 3m ½f | 2 | 40 | 4yo+ | |
| April | Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase Series Final | Chase | Haydock | 2m 4f | 2 | 100 | 10yo+ | |
| April | Sussex Champion Hurdle | Hurdle | Plumpton | 2m | 2 | 65 | 4yo+ | |
| April | Sussex Champion Chase | Chase | Plumpton | 2m 1f | 2 | 65 | 5yo+ | |
| April | Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (Conditional/Amateurs) | Hurdle | Aintree | 2m ½f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ | |
| April | Challenger Mares' Handicap Chase Final | Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 1½f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ m | |
| April | Challenger Mares' Handicap Hurdle Final | Hurdle | Cheltenham | 2m 4½f | 2 | 50 | 4yo+ m | |
| April | Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase | Chase | Ayr | 2m 4½f | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| April | CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase | Chase | Ayr | 3m | 2 | 50 | 5yo+ | |
| April | Seafield Trophy Mares' Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Ayr | 3m ½f | 2 | 45 | 4yo+ | |
| April | Highland National | Chase | Perth | 3m 6½f | 3 | 30 | 5yo+ | |
| April | Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m | 2 | 100 | 4yo+ | |
| April | Josh Gifford Novices' Handicap Chase | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m 4f | 2 | 40 | 5yo+ | |
| April | bet365 Handicap Hurdle | Hurdle | Sandown | 2m 4f | 2 | 35 | 4yo+ |
Hunter Chase Triple Crown
| Month |
Race Name |
Racecourse |
Distance |
Age |
2026 winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | St James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Hunters' Chase | Cheltenham | 3m 2½f | 5yo+ | Barton Snow |
| April | Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase | Aintree | 2m 5f | 6yo+ | Barton Snow |
| May | Stratford Foxhunters' Champion Hunters' Chase | Stratford | 3m 3½f | 5yo+ | abandoned |
References
- ↑ Rae, George (1992). A Guide to The National Hunt Pattern. The Sporting Life. pp. 9–14. ISBN 0901091448.
- ↑ "Package of changes agreed to help strengthen performance of British Jump racing". British Horseracing Authority. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ↑ Robson, Michael. "Chepstow disappointed as Finale Hurdle loses Grade 1 tag in jumps Pattern shift". Racing Post. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ↑ "Jump Pattern Committee update 22/23 season". British Horseracing Authority. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- British Jump Pattern Book 2019–20
- Jump Pattern changes 2018/19
- BHA Jump Race upgrades for 2016/17 season
- British Jump Pattern Book 2023–24