Dissecting each race on day two of the Grand National Festival
While there’s no doubting that the Grand National will dominate the headlines of this year’s National Hunt racing schedule, there are plenty of other fixtures worth taking a look at across the meeting’s three days.
One of those days is on April 14, which consists of a number of competitive races that includes graded winners, up-and-coming prospects and everything in between.
With that in mind, read on as we dissect each race on day two of the Grand National Festival.
Mildmay Novices’ Chase
In what is a three-mile and one-furlong affair, the opening race on day two of the Grand National Festival is the Mildmay Novices’ Chase. Open to horses five years or older, this Grade 1 contest has been won by top-level thoroughbreds in the past including the likes of Ahoy Senor, Might Bite and Saphir Du Rheu to name a few.
Handicap Hurdle
Run over two miles and four furlongs, this fixture is contested by horses four years and older and is classed as a premier handicap (formerly Grade 3). It was Dan Skelton’s Langer Dan who reigned supreme in last year’s renewal, defeating Fils D’oudairies by one and three quarters lengths en route to his first victory in four starts.
Top Novices’ Hurdle
A grade 1 affair contested over two miles and half a furlong with nine hurdles to be jumped during its running, the Top Novices’ Hurdle is known for including novice hurdlers who have previously run in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – a well-known fixture that takes place at the Cheltenham Festival a month prior.
The previous three champions of the Top Novices’ Hurdle were Jonbon, Belfast Banter and Felix Desjy.
Marsh ChaseIn what is one of the most highly anticipated races on day two’s agenda, the Marsh Chase has seen the likes of Fakir D’ouadiries (2021 & 2022), Min (2019) and Politologue (2018) finish first past the post in recent years.
The race takes place over two miles and four furlongs and is open to horses aged five years or older. It’s Pic D’Orhy who is the favourite in the uk horse race betting odds at this year’s renewal, just slightly favoured from Horse & Hotel Jockey Chase victor Fakir D’oudairies.
Topham Handicap ChaseIn what is considered one of the most competitive fixtures on day two of the Grand National Festival, the Topham Handicap Chase will see multiple horses with course and distance form go up against each other in a two-mile and five-furlong contest that is open to thoroughbreds five years or older.
It’s Gesskille, Al Dancer and Ashtown Lad who are the favourites in the betting lines at the time of writing, with all three garnering odds of 8/1, 9/1 and 10/1 respectively.
Sefton Novices’ Hurdle
The three-mile-and-a-half-furlong Sefton Novices’ Hurdle not only acts as the penultimate race on day two of the Festival – but also as one of the most highly anticipated fixtures. With the likes of the aforementioned Ahoy Senor, Santini and Ballyoptic having reigned supreme in the Grade 1 contest in years’ past, it shows the quality of horse it takes to win this particular fixture.
Abersoch Land And Sea Handicap Hurdle
The final race on day two of the Festival is the Abersoch Land And Sea Handicap Hurdle – a conditional and jockeys’ riders race that takes place over two miles and half a furlong and is open to horses aged four years or older.
