Early In The Year

Haydock Park in Merseyside features high-class 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 place in November often on testing ground conditions and has been won by top-notch chasers like Kauto Star, Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti and De Mai over the last few years.


On the very same day as the Betfair Chase is the Betfair Stayers Handicap Hurdle, another race which can be very demanding and attracts large fields, however discovering the winners can be extremely rewarding. Early in the year, we have the Peter Marsh Chase, a race that can include some of the top 3 milers.


In February, Haydock hosts a Grand National Trial; however, the type of the winner of this has actually been questionable. During May, Haydock hosts a noteworthy occasion outside of the routine dives season - the Swinton Handicap Hurdle. This race typically attracts an excellent variety of competitors and happens on the exact same day as the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle.


Flat Highlights: The Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup in September is the many distinguished occasion. Worth over ₤ 150k, the race brings in 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 been present considering that 1939 and has actually been won by the similarity Alpinista, who went on to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the following year. That racecard likewise includes the class two handicap, the Old Newton Cup, which generally 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 draw in decent-sized fields. On the same card are a couple of Group 2 races in the Sandy Lane Stakes and the Temple Stakes.