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 pinnacle of their National Hunt season, the race takes location in November often on testing room conditions and has been won by top-notch chasers like Kauto Star, Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti and Bristol De Mai recently.


On the exact same day as the Betfair Chase is the Betfair Stayers Handicap Hurdle, another race which can be very demanding and brings in large fields, however finding the winners can be very gratifying. Early in the year, we have the Chase, a race that can include some of the top 3 milers.


In February, Haydock hosts a Grand National Trial; however, the kind of the winner of this has been questionable. During May, Haydock hosts a notable occasion beyond the regular dives season - the Swinton Handicap Hurdle. This race typically draws in a good number of competitors and happens on the exact same day as the Cross country Handicap Hurdle.


Flat Highlights: The Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup in September is one of the most prominent occasion. Worth over ₤ 150k, the race brings in the top sprinters from around Europe and on the exact same day, there is the Old Borough Cup, a class two handicap run over one mile and 6 furlongs.


In July, we get to see the fillies and mares in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks, which has actually been present considering that 1939 and has been won by the likes of Alpinista, who went on to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the following year. That racecard likewise includes the class 2 handicap, the Old Newton Cup, which most of the time tosses up a decent-priced winner.


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