Fairlawne Handicap Chase

First run in 1990 as the Cleeve Handicap Chase, the race took its name in 2014 from the old Fairlawne Chase which was a three-mile conditions event staged at Windsor.

Previously an ordinary handicap, the race was upgraded in 2009 and although it is officially for 5yo’s and over, it has been won by those aged 7-9 every year between 2008 and 2019.

Course: Cheltenham (New Course)
Meeting: New Year’s Day
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles, 4 furlongs & 127 yards

Lanzarote Hurdle

For 4yo’s and older, the Lanzarote is a handicap race featuring ten hurdles and is named after the champion hurdler of 1974, Lanzarote.  This race was inaugurated in 1978 and has been won by the likes of Make A Stand and Tiutchev.

Course: Kempton Park
Meeting: Lanzarote Day
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Listed
Distance: 2 miles, 5 furlongs

Peter Marsh Chase

As a limited handicap chase, the Peter Marsh often attracts some of the better jumpers around Britain and has been won by Jodami (twice), Earth Summit, Our Vic and Haydock specialist Bristol De Mai since its inception back in 1981.

Course: Haydock Park
Meeting: Peter Marsh Chase Day
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 2
Distance: 3 miles, 1 furlong & 126 yards

Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase

This is a contest steeped in history having been scheduled every year since 1948, though several races have been lost to frosty conditions over the years.  Run these days as the SkyBet Handicap Chase for sponsorship reasons, it is for five-year-olds and over.

Course: Doncaster
Meeting: SkyBet Chase Raceday
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Listed
Distance: 3 miles

Betfair Hurdle

Often a hugely competitive affair with up to 24 runners allowed to take part, these 4yo’s and over jump eight hurdles and given its place in the calendar this can be used as a stepping stone for Cheltenham, won in the past by such types as Landing Light, Zarkandar, My Tent Or Yours and Kalashnikov.

Course: Newbury
Meeting: Super Saturday
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles & 69 yards

Grand National Trial

Although almost a mile shorter than the big one itself at nearby Aintree, this race was successfully used for its correct purpose in the past by the likes of Red Rum and Party Politics.

It has been known as an all-round good trial rather than just for the National though as Cool Ground won this in 1992 en route to taking the Cheltenham Gold Cup while the 1994 winner Master Oats went on to land the Welsh National in December.

Course: Haydock Park
Meeting: Grand National Trial Day
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 3 miles, 4 furlongs & 97 yards

Eider Chase

Originally run in 1952 specifically as a Grand National Trial, the marathon handicap chase test was successfully negotiated back in 2008 by Comply Or Die before taking the National at Aintree.

Although those aged 5 and over can run, the Eider tends to favour older horses given the usual testing conditions and 25 fences which need to be negotiated.

Course: Newcastle
Meeting: Eider Chase Raceday
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 4 miles & 122 yards

Ultima Handicap Chase

Known as the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase, this is a big prize in its own right but once again runners from this event often go on to contest the Grand National at Aintree.

Course: Cheltenham (Old Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 3 miles, 1 furlong

Close Brothers Handicap Chase

Otherwise named the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase, this race is for 5yo’s and over and has been part of the Festival since 2005.  As a typically competitive Festival handicap it is a huge betting affair, though as of yet no winners of this race have gone on to true stardom.

Course: Cheltenham (Old Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Listed
Distance: 2 miles, 4 furlongs & 78 yards

Coral Cup

A fiercely competitive race, the Coral Cup sits within the top 20 most popular betting races in the UK in terms of bookmaker’s turnover.  The race has only been in existence since 1993 but has quickly established itself as one of the biggest handicap races on the calendar.

Course: Cheltenham (Old Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles, 5 furlongs & 26 yards

Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle

The ‘unknown’ factor is the big appeal in this race as not only does this attract a big field, but it’s also a juvenile race with these four-year-olds yet to have shown how good they are.  It was added to the Festival line-up in 2005 and upgraded in 2009.

Course: Cheltenham (Old Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles & 87 yards

Pertemps Network Final

Replacing the George Duller Handicap Hurdle, the Pertemps Final began in 1974 and is the valuable last leg of a series of races, qualifiers taking place at Auteuil, Haydock, Kempton, Leopardstown, Newbury, Sandown and Wincanton.

Course: Cheltenham (New Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 3 miles

Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup

Formerly known as the Plate, the Mildmay is worth at least £100,000 with a big, cut-throat field jumping 17 fences.  The Plate was first run back in 1951 and has been a firm fixture ever since.

Course: Cheltenham (New Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles, 5 furlongs

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

As well as the usual big field and competitive nature, this chase has the spectre of being for amateur riders only which gives another challenge to handicap punters.  The event was inaugurated in 1946 and has been won by Cool Ground and Cause Of Causes.

Course: Cheltenham (New Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 3 miles, 1½ furlongs

County Hurdle

One of the older Festival races having been around since 1920, this along with the Coral Cup provides just about the most competitive bout of racing on the whole National Hunt calendar.  Past winners include Rooster Booster and Wicklow Brave.

Course: Cheltenham (New Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles, 1 furlong

Martin Pipe Hurdle

A race for conditional jockeys only, the Martin Pipe is named after the great trainer and sits within the top 30 races in Britain for betting turnover, a real punter’s favourite of late.

Course: Cheltenham (New Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 2 miles, 4½ furlongs

Grand Annual

The Grand Annual has the distinction of being both the oldest race in the National Hunt calendar (beginning in 1834) and the traditional Festival-closer each year.  It is a chase race with 14 fences to be cleared and allows punters one last chance for some Cheltenham profit.

Course: Cheltenham (New Course)
Meeting: Cheltenham Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles, ½ furlong

Midlands Grand National

Staged in the middle of the month so that, in theory at least, runners can contest this chase and then the big one at Aintree, the Midlands National often attracts some big guns with Synchronised having won this back in 2010.

Course: Uttoxeter
Meeting: Midlands Grand National Day
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Listed
Distance: 4 miles, 1½ furlongs

The Lincoln

Part of Flat racing’s traditional season-opening meeting on turf, the Lincoln forms part of betting’s ‘Spring Double’ along with the Grand National and outright is one of the most popular betting heats of the year.

Although often contested by older and wiser handicappers, in 2018 the Lincoln was taken by Addeybb who improved and went on to Group 2 success.

Course: Doncaster
Meeting: The Lincoln Meeting
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile

Red Rum Handicap Chase

Named of course after the fantastic three-time National winner, the Red Rum is staged on the first day of Aintree’s big meeting and attracts the most money in the ring that day.

Course: Aintree (Mildmay Course)
Meeting: Grand National
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles

Topham Chase

The Topham has been around since 1949 and is these days worth over £120,000 in prize money.  Its significance to punters cannot be underestimated either with some looking to win big in this before reinvesting their money in the National the following day.

Course: Aintree (Grand National Course)
Meeting: Grand National
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles, 5½ furlongs

Grand National

Quite simply the biggest betting race by far and bar none.  This race alone can attract betting turnover worth £200million+ just in Britain and is the one race that has professional punters, part-timers and even non-racing fans clambering to the betting offices.

Sweepstakes are routinely done in workplaces just as they are for football World Cups as this gruelling race, its 40 runners and its 30 fences around two laps of the track completely encapsulates the nation.

Across the world, around 600 million people tune in to watch an event won by some of racing’s true greats; Golden Miller, Foinavon, Red Rum, Hedgehunter and many others.

Course: Aintree (Grand National Course)
Meeting: Grand National
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 4 miles, 2 furlongs & 74 yards

Scottish Grand National

Within the top 5 most popular betting races in Britain, the Scottish Grand National is a top class punting race in its own right but often also gives a chance to those having not made the cut at Aintree the week before, or even to those having fallen early such as 2016 and ’17 winner Vicente.

Course: Ayr
Meeting: Scottish Grand National Festival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 4 miles

bet365 Gold Cup

Synonymous with strong race sponsorship, this race was inaugurated in 1957 as the Whitbread Gold Cup and was known as this until rights were taken over by At The Races (2002), Betfred (2004) and now bet365 (since 2008).  This is a massively competitive chase with 24 fences to be jumped.

Course: Sandown Park
Meeting: Jump Finale
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 3 miles, 5 furlongs

Chester Cup

Although taking place among a three-day meeting featuring Listed and Group 3 Oaks and Derby trials, the Chester Cup is the major betting event of the week and one of the most popular staying races in the calendar, won in the past by the likes of Sea Pigeon.

Course: Chester
Meeting: May Meeting
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 2 miles, 2 furlongs & 140 yards

London Gold Cup

Worth £60,000+ and featuring a hugely competitive field, the London Gold Cup certainly brings in the punters put in terms of betting revenue it actually sits second on the day to the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes.  The London God Cup features crack handicappers, many of which go on to run at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.

Course: Newbury
Meeting: Lockinge Day
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile, 2 furlongs

Epsom Dash

Staged during the Derby meeting, this race is the quickest sprint in the British calendar as it takes place all downhill until the final half-furlong.  It was known as the Night Rider handicap until 1993.

Course: Epsom Downs
Meeting: Derby Festival
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 5 furlongs

Ascot Stakes

On the calendar since 1988, this is a true staying test and as such has been the domain of National Hunt trainers, won numerous times by the likes of Martin Pipe, Jonjo O’Neill and in recent times Willie Mullins.

Course: Ascot
Meeting: Royal Ascot
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 2 miles, 3 furlongs & 210 yards

Royal Hunt Cup

Worth over £175,000, the Hunt Cup is a straight-mile blast with a huge field of closely matched runners.  Its difficulty to win is encapsulated by the fact the leading jockey is the great Lester Piggott, who won it four times over a 13-year period.

Course: Ascot
Meeting: Royal Ascot
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile

Sandringham Stakes

One of a number of mile races staged during the Royal Meeting, this race is open only to three-year-old fillies yet still attracts a full field of 25-30 runners.  Previously a high class race for those fillies looking to break into pattern company, the race had to be downgraded in 2018 after Flat racing introduced a rule that no handicap should be of Listed or Group 3 level.

Course: Ascot
Meeting: Royal Ascot
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile

Britannia Stakes

The colts and geldings’ equivalent of the Sandringham, or the the ‘3yo’s Hunt Cup’ once again a massive field is assembled for this race every year with punters needing find numerous angles before taking an opinion on a race full of improving types.

Course: Ascot
Meeting: Royal Ascot
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile

King George V Stakes

The King George V was introduced onto the schedule in 1984 and provides the 3yo’s with a middle-distance version of the Britannia to race in.  The race is worth £100,000 and is always fully subscribed.

Course: Ascot
Meeting: Royal Ascot
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile, 3 furlongs & 211 yards

Duke of Edinburgh Stakes

What the King George V is the to the 3yo’s, the Duke of Edinburgh is to the older horses though since its inception in 1982, no single horse has won this more than once which goes to prove its competitiveness.

Course: Ascot
Meeting: Royal Ascot
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile, 3 furlongs & 211 yards

Wokingham Stakes

One of the top 40 betting races in Britain overall for betting turnover, the Wokingham sits not only within the Royal Ascot week but also on a Saturday when betting is at its most fierce.  The Wokingham is Britain’s premier six-furlong sprint handicap and has been run in one form or another since 1813.

Course: Ascot
Meeting: Royal Ascot
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 6 furlongs

Northumberland Plate

Along with the Chester Cup, the Ebor and the Cesarewitch, the Northumberland Plate is one of the biggest staying handicaps in the country and also one of the most valuable with over £150,000 on offer in prize money.

Formerly run on turf, due to changes at Newcastle it is now unique as a major handicap in that it is run on an artificial Tapeta surface and has been won by the likes of Celeric, Sergeant Cecil and Tominator.

Course: Newcastle
Meeting: Plate Festival
Type: Flat (all-weather)
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 2 miles & 56 yards

Old Newton Cup

A top class middle-distance handicap epitomising the mid-summer betting spree punters are known for, the Old Newton Cup has been run since 1966 and is these days worth over £100,000.

Course: Haydock Park
Meeting: Old Newton Cup Day
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile, 3 furlongs & 175 words

John Smith’s Cup

Some race’s synonymy with sponsorship are well known and this is one such example.  York’s mid-summer betting highlight, the John Smith’s was previously known as the Magnet Cup but having always been endorsed by the same brewery, this now stands as the longest running sponsorship in British racing with £200,000 in prize money provided.

Course: York
Meeting: John Smith’s Meeting
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile, 2 furlongs & 56 yards

Stewards’ Cup

Run since 1840 and sitting at the end of a major five-day festival, the Stewards’ Cup is second only to the Wokingham as a six-furlong handicap of such value and betting importance.  The brilliant Lochsong took this race in 1992 before going on to multiple Group race success.

Course: Goodwood
Meeting: Goodwood Festival (Glorious Goodwood)
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 6 furlongs

Great St. Wilfrid Stakes

The highlight of Ripon’s season, the Great St. Wilfrid is hugely competitive and since it agreed a new deal with William Hill is now worth over £75,000.

Course: Ripon
Meeting: Great St. Wilfrid Meeting
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 6 furlongs

Ebor Handicap

A truly historic race, the Ebor has been run on the Knavesmire since 1843 and as if to underline the fact that is has never lost its appeal, as of 2019 it will be worth an astonishing £1million.

This race is a fitting way to round off a tremendous week of racing during which Group 1 thrillers the Nunthorpe Stakes, International Stakes and Yorkshire Cup are all run.

In the 20 seasons between 1999 and 2018, only one single favourite managed to win the Ebor which is what makes it so appealing to those looking to take on the bookmakers.

Course: York
Meeting: Ebor Festival
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile, 5 furlongs & 188 yards

Portland Handicap

Known as the Portland Plate from its inception in 1855 and later the Portland Handicap, this race is another ‘bookies’ benefit’ given it’s cut-throat nature and typically massive fields.

Run on the same weekend as the last classic of the season, the Portland actually kicks off the big day at Doncaster before the Leger is run later in the afternoon.

Course: Doncaster
Meeting: St Leger Festival
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 5 furlongs & 143 yards

Ayr Gold Cup

With a £200,000 prize fund and all the prestige that comes with a race having been run since 1804, the Ayr Gold Cup is the premier Flat race in all of Scotland and attracts millions in betting revenue around the country.  Top class sprinters such as Bahamian Pirate, Continent and Brando have taken the Cup in the past.

Course: Ayr
Meeting: Gold Cup Festival
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 6 furlongs

Cambridgeshire Handicap

Along with the Cesarewitch at the same course, the Cambridgeshire was once known as the first leg of the Autumn Double, two massive handicap races attracting millions in betting revenue.

The race is still a big deal and has been staged since 1839, John Gosden holding the record as the most successful trainer in it with four wins between 1994 and 2018.

Course: Newmarket (Rowley Mile)
Meeting: Cambridgeshire Meeting
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile, 1 furlong

October

Cesarewitch Handicap

Run along with the Cambridgeshire since 1839, the Cesarewitch is the final big staying handicap of the season and these days is worth a cool £500,000.

Despite being run on the same day as the Dewhurst Stakes and two Group 3’s, the Cesarewitch has not become lost in the racing calendar and is still within the top 40 races of the year for betting turnover.

Course: Newmarket (Rowley Mile)
Meeting: Dubai Future Champions Festival
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 2 miles, 2 furlongs

Old Roan Chase

Only established in 2004, this race has quickly placed itself among the most popular betting handicaps in the country.  At £45,000 to the winner this is as popular with trainers as it is with punters and gives connections an early chance for horses to get used to Aintree before perhaps coming back the following April for the National meeting.

Course: Aintree (Mildmay Course)
Meeting: Countryside Day
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 2
Distance: 2 miles, 3 furlongs & 200 yards

Sodexo Gold Cup

Easily one of the richest jumps races outside of the major festivals, the Sodexo is a chase race worth £100,000 and featuring 20 fences.

The Sodexo began life in 2006 as a Class 2, was upgraded to Listed status in 2009 and since 2015 has been bumped up the levels again due to its quality and popularity among trainers and backers.

Course: Ascot
Meeting: Fireworks Spectacular Family Raceday
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles, 7 furlongs & 180 yards

November Handicap

Just as Doncaster kicks off the British Flat turf season on Lincoln weekend it closes it all off too with the November Handicap, one last chance for fans of the level to bet in a hotly contested race.

The November Handicap has been run since 1876 and despite its place in the schedule, renewals are rarely lost to the weather but often provide a stern test for runners in soft ground.

Course: Doncaster
Meeting: November Meeting
Type: Flat
Grade: Class 2
Distance: 1 mile, 3 furlongs & 197 yards

BetVictor Gold Cup

Another race for which sponsorship is part of its whole identity; it was established in 1960 as the Mackeson Gold Cup and remained such until 1995 when endorsement of the race changed to Murphy’s, Thomas Pink, Paddy Power and finally in 2016 to BetVictor.

A tightly-fought chase, this is yet another big Saturday betting race won in the past by the likes of Dunkirk, Half Free and Al Ferof.

Course: Cheltenham (Old Course)
Meeting: November Meeting
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles, 4½ furlongs

Greatwood Hurdle

Despite this being a handicap race it is often seen as a viable trial for the Champion Hurdle at the Festival later in the season with many attempting the double, though few succeeding it has to be said.

The Greatwood has been won by the likes of Rooster Booster and Sizing Europe in the past and is still a very keen betting heat, regardless of the quality of the field.

Course: Cheltenham (Old Course)
Meeting: November Meeting
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles & 87 yards

Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle

For 4yo’s and over though more popular with those aged five and over, this race was inaugurated in 2005 and along with the Betfair Chase forms part of a massive betting double over the weekend.

Course: Haydock Park
Meeting: Betfair Chase Day
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 3 miles & 58 yards

Ladbrokes Trophy

Worth a huge £250,000, this race while remaining competitive as a handicap has been used by Gold Cup contenders in the course of its long history, as such being won by such types as Arkle, One Man, Denman, Many Clouds and Native River.

Formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup at Cheltenham, the race was switched to Newbury in 1960 three years after its inception and has become one of the biggest, most competitive and most popular chases on the calendar outside of the Festival.

Course: Newbury
Meeting: Winter Carnival
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 3 miles, 1 furlong & 214 yards

Becher Chase

As one of the few races in the year run over the same fences, this brutally competitive and tough chase is seen by many as a viable trial for the Grand National in April.

Prize money is now up to £150,000 for this contest, betting turnover is strong and its reputation is helped by by being able to list Earth Summit, Silver Birch and Blaklion among its past winners.

Course: Aintree (Grand National Course)
Meeting: Becher Chase Day
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 3 miles, 1 furlong & 188 yards

Caspian Caviar Gold Cup

Known traditionally as the December Gold Cup, this valuable £130,000 17-fence chase race has been run at Prestbury Park since 1963 and is an important part of the jumps season.

Course: Cheltenham (New Course)
Meeting: International Meeting
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 2 miles, 4 furlongs & 127 yards

Ascot Silver Cup

Known recently as the Garrard Silver Cup to punters due to sponsorship, this is a tough handicap chase with 20 fences to take and is famed partly for being one of the races Arkle took in his glittering career.  Go Ballistic and Cool Dawn are among the winners of a race that has been on the racing calendar since 1965.

Course: Ascot
Meeting: Christmas Meeting
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Listed
Distance: 2 miles, 7 furlongs & 180 yards

Welsh Grand National

One of racing’s great traditions; the Welsh National is always run on December 27th regardless of what day of the week that falls on and has stood for well over 100 years as one of Britain’s biggest betting races.

Staying greats such as Corbiere, Cool Ground, Earth Summit, Bindaree, Synchronised and Native River have all been successful in the past in what is a massive test of stamina and more importantly, a true test of a punter’s nerve.

Course: Chepstow
Meeting: Welsh National Meeting
Type: National Hunt
Grade: Grade 3
Distance: 3 miles, 5½ furlongs