Grade 3 Jump Races

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Grade 3 jumps racing are now known as National Hunt Premier Handicap events.

In Premier Handicaps (formerly Grade 3), the racehorse’s handicap rating (aka official rating) is used to determine how much weight a horse has added to it. 

The Grading & Classification of grade 3’s is that these events are known as being the third division of horse racing.

There are 42 British Grade 3 races which consist of 25 chases and 17 hurdles.

List of All Grade 3 Races

Here are all the grade 3 jump races for the British National Hunt horse racing calendar.

MonthRace NameTypeRacecourseDistanceAge
MaySwinton Handicap HurdleHurdleHaydock1m 7½f4yo +
JulySummer PlateChaseMarket Rasen2m 5½f4yo +
Oct / NovEach-Way Extra at bet365 Handicap ChaseChaseWetherby2m 3½f4yo +
Oct / NovByrne Group Handicap ChaseChaseAscot2m 1f4yo +
Oct / NovSodexo Live! Gold CupChaseAscot3m4yo +
NovemberBadger Beers Silver TrophyChaseWincanton3m 1½f4yo +
NovemberPaddy Power Gold CupChaseCheltenham2m 4½f4yo +
NovemberJewson Handicap ChaseChaseCheltenham3m 3½f4yo +
NovemberGreatwood HurdleHurdleCheltenham2m ½f4yo +
NovemberBetfair Stayers’ Handicap HurdleHurdleHaydock2m 7f4yo +
Nov / DecGerry Feilden HurdleHurdleNewbury2m ½f4yo +
Nov / DecCoral Gold CupChaseNewbury3m 2½f4yo +
Nov / DecRehearsal Handicap ChaseChaseNewcastle2m 7½f4yo +
DecemberBecher ChaseChaseAintree3m 2f5yo +
DecemberDahlbury Handicap ChaseChaseCheltenham3m 2f4yo +
DecemberDecember Gold CupChaseCheltenham2m 5f4yo +
DecemberBetfair Exchange Trophy Handicap HurdleHurdleAscot2m4yo +
DecemberAscot Silver CupChaseAscot3m4yo +
DecemberRowland Meyrick Handicap ChaseChaseWetherby3m 1f4yo +
DecemberWelsh Grand NationalChaseChepstow3m 6½f4yo +
JanuaryPaddy Power Handicap ChaseChaseCheltenham2m 4½f5yo +
JanuaryClassic ChaseChaseWarwick3m 5f5yo +
JanuaryPaddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Hcp ChChaseCheltenham2m 5f5yo +
JanuaryGreat Yorkshire ChaseChaseDoncaster3m5yo +
JanuaryPeter Marsh ChaseChaseHaydock3m5yo +
Jan / FebHeroes Handicap HurdleHurdleSandown2m 6f4yo +
FebruaryBetfair HurdleHurdleNewbury2m ½f4yo +
FebruarySwinley ChaseChaseAscot3m5yo +
FebruaryGrand National TrialChaseHaydock3m 4f5yo +
FebruaryCoral Trophy Handicap ChaseChaseKempton3m5yo +
Feb / MarGreatwood Gold CupChaseNewbury2m 4f5yo +
MarchEBF Novices’ Handicap HurdleHurdleSandown2m 4f4–7yo
MarchImperial CupHurdleSandown2m4yo +
MarchBetfair Novices’ Handicap ChaseChaseSandown2m 4f5yo +
MarchUltima Handicap ChaseChaseCheltenham3m ½f5yo +
MarchBoodles Juvenile Handicap HurdleHurdleCheltenham2m ½f4yo
MarchCoral CupHurdleCheltenham2m 5f4yo +
MarchJohnny Henderson Grand Annual ChaseChaseCheltenham2m ½f5yo +
MarchPertemps FinalHurdleCheltenham3m5yo +
MarchMagners Plate Handicap ChaseChaseCheltenham2m 5f5yo +
MarchCounty Handicap HurdleHurdleCheltenham2m 1f5yo +
MarchMidlands Grand NationalChaseUttoxeter4m 2f5yo +
AprilRed Rum Handicap ChaseChaseAintree2m5yo +
AprilWilliam Hill Handicap HurdleHurdleAintree2m 4f4yo +
AprilTopham ChaseChaseAintree2m 5½f5yo +
AprilVillage Hotels Handicap HurdleHurdleAintree3m ½f4yo +
AprilWilliam Hill Handicap ChaseChaseAintree3m 1f5yo +
AprilGrand NationalChaseAintree4m 2f7yo +
AprilSafran Landing Systems Fillies’ Juv Hcap HdlHurdleCheltenham2m 1f4yo f
AprilScotty Brand Handicap ChaseChaseAyr2m ½f5yo +
AprilScottish Grand NationalChaseAyr4m5yo +
AprilBet365 Gold CupChaseSandown3m 5½f5yo +
MarchNational Hunt Chase Challenge CupChaseCheltenham3m 6f5yo +
MarchDawn Run Mares’ Novices’ HurdleHurdleCheltenham2m 1f4yo + m
MarchMrs Paddy Power Mares’ ChaseChaseCheltenham2m 4f4yo + m
MarchMares’ Novices’ Hurdle FinaleHurdleNewbury2m 4½f4yo + m
AprilNickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat RaceFlatAintree2m 1f4–5yo m
AprilChampion Standard Open NH Flat RaceFlatAintree2m 1f4–5yo
AprilSilver Trophy Handicap ChaseChaseCheltenham2m 5f5yo +
AprilMares’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase FinalChaseCheltenham2m 4½f5yo + m
AprilScottish Champion HurdleHurdleAyr2m4yo +
AprilOaksey ChaseChaseSandown2m 7f5yo +
AprilBet365 Select HurdleHurdleSandown2m 5½f4yo +

Holloway’s Hurdle

The Holloway’s Hurdle is a Class 2 hurdle race which is open to horses aged 4 years or older. It is run at Ascot with a distance of about 2 miles and 3½ furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in January.

Heroes Handicap Hurdle

The Heroes Handicap Hurdle is a Premier Handicap hurdle race, open to horses aged 4 years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of about 2 miles and 7½ furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late January or early February.

Haydock Park Grand National Trial

The Grand National Trial is a Premier Handicap steeplechase, which is open to horses aged 5 years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of about 3 miles and 4½ furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in February.

Betfair Hurdle

The Betfair Hurdle is a Premier Handicap National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged 4 years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of about 2 miles and ½ furlong.

Betfair Hurdle

It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in February.

Greatwood Gold Cup 

The Greatwood Gold Cup is a Premier Handicap steeplechase, open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late February or early March.

Imperial Cup 

The Imperial Cup is a Premier Handicap hurdle race, open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of about 2 miles. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in March.

European Breeders Fund Novices Handicap Hurdle 

The European Breeders Fund Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final is a Premier Handicap hurdle race, open to horses aged between four and seven. It is run at Sandown Park with a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs. It is scheduled to take place each year in March.

Ultima Chase

The Festival Trophy is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase, which is open to horses aged 5 years or above. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong. It is scheduled to take place each year on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Fred Winter Hurdle

The Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle also known as the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, is a Premier Handicap hurdle race which is open to horses aged 4 years. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and ½ furlong. It is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Coral Cup

The Coral Cup is a Premier Handicap hurdle race, which is open to horses aged four years or above. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham with a distance of about 2 miles and 5 furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Grand Annual Chase

The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase is a Premier Handicap steeplechase, which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Pertemps Final

Horses that are five years of age or older can enter the Pertemps Network Final, a Premier Handicap hurdle race. It is held over a course of roughly three miles on Cheltenham’s New Course. It is an annual handicap event that takes place in March during the Cheltenham Festival.

Plate Chase 

Horses five years of age or older can enter the Magners Plate Handicap Chase, a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase. The race is held at Cheltenham on the New Course, covering a distance of approximately 2 miles and 4½ furlongs. It’s a handicap race that’s held in March during the Cheltenham Festival every year.

County Hurdle 

Horses five years of age or older may enter the County Handicap Hurdle, a Premier Handicap National Hunt hurdle competition held in Great Britain. It is held over a distance of around two miles and one furlong on Cheltenham’s New Course. It is an annual handicap event that takes place in March during the Cheltenham Festival.

Scottish Grand National

Horses five years of age or older can enter the Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain, known as the Scottish Grand National. It is conducted on a course of roughly 4 miles in Ayr, Scotland. Every year in April, there is a handicap race held.

Red Rum Handicap Chase 

The Red Rum Handicap Chase is a Grade 3 steeplechase, open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Mildmay course at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in early April.

Topham Chase 

Horses five years of age or older are eligible to compete in the Grade 3 National Hunt handicap chase in England, known as the Topham Chase. Every year in April, it is planned to be held at Aintree over a course of approximately 2 miles and 5 furlongs.

The Betway Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1)

TheThe Freebooter Handicap Chase, currently run as the William Hill Handicap Chase, is a Premier Handicap National Hunt Grade 3 handicap chase which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong. It is scheduled to take place each year at the Grand National meeting in April.

Grand National

The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse, Aintree, Merseyside, England. It is a handicap steeplechase over an official distance of about 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps.

Bet365 Gold Cup

Horses five years of age or older can enter the Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase, the Bet365 Gold Cup. It is run over a course of around three miles and five furlongs at Sandown Park. Every year in late April, there is a handicap race that is planned.

Warwick Classic Chase

The Classic Chase is a Premier Handicap steeplechase for horses aged five years or older. It is run at Warwick over a distance of about 3 miles and 5 furlongs.

It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in January.

Swinton Handicap Hurdle

The Swinton Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race for horses aged four years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of about 1 mile 7½ furlongs.

Swinton Handicap Hurdle

It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.

Summer Plate Handicap Chase

Horses four years of age or older can enter the Summer Plate, a Premier Handicap National Hunt chase in Great Britain. It is usually held in late July each year at Market Rasen and covers a course of around 2 miles and 5½ furlongs.

Stayers Handicap Hurdle

Horses four years of age and up are eligible to compete in the Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle, a Premier Handicap National Hunt hurdle competition held in Great Britain.

Betfair Stayers Handicap Hurdle

It is run over a course of around three miles and half a furlongs at Haydock Park. Every year in November, there is a handicap race set to take place.

Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle

Horses four years of age and up are eligible to compete in the Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle, a Class 2 National Hunt hurdle competition held in Great Britain.

Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle

It is run at Chepstow for approximately two miles and three quarters of a furlong. Every year in October, there is a handicap race that is planned.

Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Steeple Chase

The Sodexo Live! Gold Cup is a Premier Handicap in Great Britain. It is a handicap steeplechase and is run at Ascot Racecourse in late October or early November, over a distance of about 3 miles.

Paddy Power Gold Cup

Horses four years of age or older can enter the Paddy Power Gold Cup, a Premier Handicap National Hunt chase in Great Britain. It is held over a distance of approximately 2 miles and 4½ furlongs on Cheltenham’s Old Course. It is a handicap race that happens in the middle of November every year.

Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

The Greatwood Hurdle is a Grade 3 hurdle race which is open to horses aged 4 years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and half a furlong. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.

The Coral Gold Cup

The Coral Gold Cup is a Premier Handicap steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged 4 years or above. It is run at Newbury over a distance of about 3 miles and 2 furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late November or early December.

Becher Chase

The Becher Chase is a Premier Handicap steeplechase which is open to horses aged 6 years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 3 miles and 2 furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November or December.

Caspian Caviar Gold Cup 

The December Gold Cup is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase which is open to horses aged 4 years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in December.

The Betfair Exchange Trophy 

The Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle, is a Grade 3 hurdle race which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot Racecourse over a distance of about 1 mile and 7½ furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in December.

Rowland Meyrick Chase

The Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase which is open to horses aged 4 years or older. It is run at Wetherby over a distance of about 3 miles. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on Boxing Day.

Welsh Grand National

The Coral Welsh Grand National is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase which is open to horses aged 4 years or older. It is run at Chepstow, Wales, over a distance of about 3 miles and 6½ furlongs. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on 27 December.

List of All Irish Premier Handicap Races

Here is the full list of all grade 3 Premier Handicap races in Ireland.

MonthRace NameTypeRacecourseDistanceAge
MayAn Riocht ChaseChaseKillarney2m 4½f5yo +
JulyGrimes HurdleHurdleTipperary2m4yo +
July/AugustGalway PlateChaseGalway2m 6f4yo +
July/AugustGalway HurdleHurdleGalway2m4yo +
July/AugustBallybrit Novice ChaseChaseGalway2m 1f4yo +
SeptemberKerry NationalChaseListowel3m4yo +
Sept / OctoberKilbegnet Novice ChaseChaseRoscommon2m4yo +
OctoberJoe Mac Novice HurdleHurdleTipperary2m4yo +
OctoberIstabraq HurdleHurdleTipperary2m4yo +
OctoberLike A Butterfly Novice ChaseChaseTipperary2m 4f4yo +
OctoberBuck House Novice ChaseChasePunchestown2m 2f4yo +
OctoberIrish Daily Star ChaseChasePunchestown3m 1f5yo +
OctoberMunster NationalChaseLimerick3m4yo +
Oct / NovPoplar Square ChaseChaseNaas2m5yo +
NovemberDown Royal Mares Novice HurdleHurdleDown Royal2m4yo +
NovemberCork E.B.F. Novice ChaseChaseCork2m 4f5yo +
NovemberFishery Lane HurdleHurdleNaas2m4yo
NovemberFor Auction Novice HurdleHurdleNavan2m4yo +
NovemberMonksfield Novice HurdleHurdleNavan2m 4f4yo +
DecemberBar One Racing Juvenile HurdleHurdleFairyhouse2m3yo
DecemberKlairon Davis Novice ChaseChaseNavan2m 1f4yo +
DecemberCork Stayers Novice HurdleHurdleCork3m4yo +
DecemberLeopardstown E.B.F. Mares HurdleHurdleLeopardstown2m 4f4yo +
JanuarySavills New Year’s Day ChaseChaseTramore2m 5f5yo +
JanuaryJohn and Chich Fowler Memorial Mares ChaseChaseFairyhouse2m 4f5yo +
JanuaryKilliney Novice ChaseChasePunchestown2m 4f5yo +
JanuaryLimestone Lad HurdleHurdleNaas2m 3f5yo +
JanuaryNaas Racecourse Business Club Novice ChaseChaseNaas3m5yo +
JanuarySolerina Mares Novice HurdleHurdleFairyhouse2m 2f4yo +
FebruaryMercedes-Benz Novice HurdleHurdleClonmel3m4yo +
FebruaryRed Mills Trial HurdleHurdleGowran Park2m4yo +
FebruaryQuevega Mares HurdleChasePunchestown2m 4f4yo + m
FebruaryMichael Purcell Novice HurdleHurdleThurles2m 4f5yo +
FebruaryNewlands ChaseChaseNaas2m5yo +
FebruaryWinning Fair Juvenile HurdleHurdleFairyhouse2m4yo
FebruaryBobbyjo ChaseChaseFairyhouse3m 1f5yo +
MarchFlyingbolt Novice ChaseChaseNavan2m5yo +
MarchKingsfurze Novice HurdleHurdleNaas2m4yo +
MarchNaas Directors Plate Novice ChaseChaseNaas2m 4f5yo +
MarchLimerick E.B.F. Mares Novice HurdleHurdleLimerick2m4yo +
MarchNative Upmanship Novice ChaseChaseThurles2m 2f5yo +
MarchHugh McMahon Novice ChaseChaseLimerick3m5yo +
AprilImperial Call ChaseChaseCork3m5yo +
April / MayWeatherbys Ireland EBF Mares BumperFlatPunchestown2m4–7yo

Why Do Many Say Grade 3 Premier Handicaps Are The Most Exciting?

Many horse racing fans have voted the grade 3 premier handicaps as the most exciting because they are generally large fields (most competitive) with many racehorses in with a good chance of winning, making it an exciting spectacle.

The Grade 3 events are run under standard handicap conditions, which means all runners and riders have a good chance of winning the race.

The racehorse weight carried by a runner will be determined by their official rating, from previous form.

The handicapper is trying to give all horses an equal chance of winning by giving them each an official rating. If a 140 rated horse competing in a Grade 3 against a runner rated 132 it would be required to carry 8lb more.

What is the Difference Between a Grade 3 and Grade 1 horse race?

The main difference between a grade 3 and grade 1 is a grade three event is a premier handicap race with the weight being decided by the runners official rating. The first-grade horses run off the same weight (with only allowances for age and sex).

The grade 3 permier handicaps are very open races and include some of the most exicting events like the Aintree Grand National.

What is the Difference Between a Grade 3 and Grade 2 horse race?

The main difference between a grade 3 and grade 2 is the grade three contests are one tier lower, but can be equally as hard to win with many runners and riders each race.

The National Hunt hierarchy is that grade 3s’s are like the third division of graded contests and grade 2’s are the second division for horse racing in UK and Ireland. 

Summary

Grade 3 races are the lower profile races of the Class 1 events. 

The grade three contests might be known as the third tier but are usually packed with quality, excitement and large prize money.

The grade three races are premier handicaps and great betting experience because usually consist of large fields with plenty of horses in with a chance of winning.