Early In The Year

Haydock Park in Merseyside features elite National Hunt and Flat racing throughout the year.


Type of Racing: Flat & NH


NH Highlights: The Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock is the peak of their National Hunt season, the race takes location in November frequently on testing room conditions and has been won by excellent chasers like Kauto Star, Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti and De Mai recently.


On the exact same day as the Betfair Chase is the Betfair Stayers Handicap Hurdle, another race which can be really demanding and draws in large fields, but finding the winners can be very rewarding. Early in the year, we have the Peter Marsh Chase, a race that can feature a few of the leading 3 milers.


In February, Haydock hosts a Grand National Trial; however, the form of the winner of this has been questionable. During May, Haydock hosts a noteworthy occasion outside of the routine dives season - the Swinton Handicap Hurdle. This race usually draws in a great number of competitors and happens on the very same day as the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle.


Flat Highlights: The Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup in September is one of the most distinguished occasion. Worth over ₤ 150k, the race attracts the leading sprinters from around Europe and on the very same day, there is the Old Borough Cup, a class 2 handicap run over one mile and six furlongs.


In July, we get to see the fillies and mares in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks, which has existed because 1939 and has been won by the similarity Alpinista, who went on to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the following year. That racecard likewise features the class 2 handicap, the Old Newton Cup, which usually tosses up a decent-priced winner.


In terms of heritage handicaps, the Silver Bowl is objected to in May and is restricted to three-year-old runners, which can attract decent-sized fields. On the same card are a number of Group 2 races in the Sandy Lane Stakes and the Temple Stakes.