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Top Novices’ Hurdle
Get expert Top Novices' Hurdle tips, explore our runners guide, and compare the latest odds for your best chance to win on race day.
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The TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle is run on the second day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree Racecourse. It is run over a slightly extended two miles. Some exceptionally talented novices have won this race since its inception, including the likes of My Tent Or Yours, Buveur D’Air and Mystical Power. The Grade 1 race usually takes around four minutes to run.
Top Novices' Hurdle Racecard
ThatPrizeGuy Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
A case can be made that SOBER GLORY was unlucky not to win the Supreme last month, given that he made a mistake at the last and was hampered on the run in. As a result, the six-year-old is very hard to oppose in this company on the back of that top-class performance. A couple of places behind the selection that day was Baron Noir, and he could prove to be the main threat. Sinnatra was not disgraced when fifth in the County off a mark of 133 but that suggests that he will need to improve to beat the aforementioned pair.
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Top Novices’ Hurdle Overview
The TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle is run at Aintree, just outside of Liverpool. It is usually the third race on the second day of the three-day Aintree Festival. There are nine flights of hurdles to be taken in the race run over an extended two-mile trip.
Horses that tend to win this have generally run in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before taking this. The only recent exception was Lalor (2018), who ran down the field in a handicap at Newbury Racecourse before winning this. Previous winners of this who ran in the Supreme and then went on to glory here include Mystical Power, Inthepocket and Jonbon. There is a valuable £56,000 on offer for winning this Grade 1 race.
Top Novices’ Hurdle Betting Trends and Statistics
- The leading trainer in the TrustATrader Top Novices Hurdle in recent renewals is Nicky Henderson, who has won the race six times.
- Henderson’s six winners came from General Miller (2010), Darlan (2012), My Tent Or Yours (2013), Josses Hill (2014), Buveur D’Air (2016) and Jonbon (2022).
- Rachael Blackmore has a perfect record as a jockey in The TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle, winning it at her only attempt thus far when riding Inthepocket in 2023.
- Sam Twiston-Davies and Nico De Boinville seem to be jockeys to avoid in this race, with both having attempted to win it on six separate occasions. To date, neither of them has won it.
- The last three horses that were backed into favouritism justified market support by winning this race.
- Irish-trained horses have won four of the last five renewals of this race. There was a time when the home-based trainers won this for fun, but for now, at least, the tide seems to have turned.
Top Novices’ Hurdle History
The TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle was first run in 1976. It was given enhanced Grade 1 status following a review by the British Horseracing Authority in 2016. The Top Novices’ Hurdle is often seen as a close relation to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, with a large number of horses competing in both. However, the last horse to achieve victory in both races was Browne’s Gazette in 1984.
Top Novices' Hurdle FAQ
Who won the Top Novices' Hurdle in 2024?
Mystical Power made the odd error around here last season, but ultimately, he had enough in reserve to catch Firefox, who had managed to get first run on him. Mystical Power dug deep for Mark Walsh and repelled his fellow Irish raider by half-a-length.
What is the prize money for the Top Novices' Hurdle?
Winning connections can expect to receive just over £56,000 for winning this Grade 1 race.
When is the Top Novices' Hurdle?
The TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle is usually the third race run on the second day of the Aintree Festival.
How many hurdles are there to be jumped in the Top Novices' Hurdle?
There are nine flights of hurdles to be jumped in this Grade 1 race, which is run over a slightly extended two-mile trip.
How many horses race in the Top Novices' Hurdle?
This race usually attracts a medium-sized field of between six and thirteen runners. It is a stepping stone for many before challenging for the following season’s top two mile races.
Which horses are eligible for the Top Novices' Hurdle?
Horses aged four and older are eligible to run in the TrustATrader Novices’ Hurdle.
