Grade 3 Jump Races

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.

Month	Race Name	Type	Racecourse	Distance	Age
May	Swinton Handicap Hurdle	Hurdle	Haydock	1m 7½f	4yo +
July	Summer Plate	Chase	Market Rasen	2m 5½f	4yo +
Oct / Nov	Each-Way Extra at bet365 Handicap Chase	Chase	Wetherby	2m 3½f	4yo +
Oct / Nov	Byrne Group Handicap Chase	Chase	Ascot	2m 1f	4yo +
Oct / Nov	Sodexo Live! Gold Cup	Chase	Ascot	3m	4yo +
November	Badger Beers Silver Trophy	Chase	Wincanton	3m 1½f	4yo +
November	Paddy Power Gold Cup	Chase	Cheltenham	2m 4½f	4yo +
November	Jewson Handicap Chase	Chase	Cheltenham	3m 3½f	4yo +
November	Greatwood Hurdle	Hurdle	Cheltenham	2m ½f	4yo +
November	Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle	Hurdle	Haydock	2m 7f	4yo +
Nov / Dec	Gerry Feilden Hurdle	Hurdle	Newbury	2m ½f	4yo +
Nov / Dec	Coral Gold Cup	Chase	Newbury	3m 2½f	4yo +
Nov / Dec	Rehearsal Handicap Chase	Chase	Newcastle	2m 7½f	4yo +
December	Becher Chase	Chase	Aintree	3m 2f	5yo +
December	Dahlbury Handicap Chase	Chase	Cheltenham	3m 2f	4yo +
December	December Gold Cup	Chase	Cheltenham	2m 5f	4yo +
December	Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle	Hurdle	Ascot	2m	4yo +
December	Ascot Silver Cup	Chase	Ascot	3m	4yo +
December	Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase	Chase	Wetherby	3m 1f	4yo +
December	Welsh Grand National	Chase	Chepstow	3m 6½f	4yo +
January	Paddy Power Handicap Chase	Chase	Cheltenham	2m 4½f	5yo +
January	Classic Chase	Chase	Warwick	3m 5f	5yo +
January	Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Hcp Ch	Chase	Cheltenham	2m 5f	5yo +
January	Great Yorkshire Chase	Chase	Doncaster	3m	5yo +
January	Peter Marsh Chase	Chase	Haydock	3m	5yo +
Jan / Feb	Heroes Handicap Hurdle	Hurdle	Sandown	2m 6f	4yo +
February	Betfair Hurdle	Hurdle	Newbury	2m ½f	4yo +
February	Swinley Chase	Chase	Ascot	3m	5yo +
February	Grand National Trial	Chase	Haydock	3m 4f	5yo +
February	Coral Trophy Handicap Chase	Chase	Kempton	3m	5yo +
Feb / Mar	Greatwood Gold Cup	Chase	Newbury	2m 4f	5yo +
March	EBF Novices’ Handicap Hurdle	Hurdle	Sandown	2m 4f	4–7yo
March	Imperial Cup	Hurdle	Sandown	2m	4yo +
March	Betfair Novices’ Handicap Chase	Chase	Sandown	2m 4f	5yo +
March	Ultima Handicap Chase	Chase	Cheltenham	3m ½f	5yo +
March	Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle	Hurdle	Cheltenham	2m ½f	4yo
March	Coral Cup	Hurdle	Cheltenham	2m 5f	4yo +
March	Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase	Chase	Cheltenham	2m ½f	5yo +
March	Pertemps Final	Hurdle	Cheltenham	3m	5yo +
March	Magners Plate Handicap Chase	Chase	Cheltenham	2m 5f	5yo +
March	County Handicap Hurdle	Hurdle	Cheltenham	2m 1f	5yo +
March	Midlands Grand National	Chase	Uttoxeter	4m 2f	5yo +
April	Red Rum Handicap Chase	Chase	Aintree	2m	5yo +
April	William Hill Handicap Hurdle	Hurdle	Aintree	2m 4f	4yo +
April	Topham Chase	Chase	Aintree	2m 5½f	5yo +
April	Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle	Hurdle	Aintree	3m ½f	4yo +
April	William Hill Handicap Chase	Chase	Aintree	3m 1f	5yo +
April	Grand National	Chase	Aintree	4m 2f	7yo +
April	Safran Landing Systems Fillies’ Juv Hcap Hdl	Hurdle	Cheltenham	2m 1f	4yo f
April	Scotty Brand Handicap Chase	Chase	Ayr	2m ½f	5yo +
April	Scottish Grand National	Chase	Ayr	4m	5yo +
April	Bet365 Gold Cup	Chase	Sandown	3m 5½f	5yo +
March	National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup	Chase	Cheltenham	3m 6f	5yo +
March	Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle	Hurdle	Cheltenham	2m 1f	4yo + m
March	Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase	Chase	Cheltenham	2m 4f	4yo + m
March	Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Finale	Hurdle	Newbury	2m 4½f	4yo + m
April	Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race	Flat	Aintree	2m 1f	4–5yo m
April	Champion Standard Open NH Flat Race	Flat	Aintree	2m 1f	4–5yo
April	Silver Trophy Handicap Chase	Chase	Cheltenham	2m 5f	5yo +
April	Mares’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Final	Chase	Cheltenham	2m 4½f	5yo + m
April	Scottish Champion Hurdle	Hurdle	Ayr	2m	4yo +
April	Oaksey Chase	Chase	Sandown	2m 7f	5yo +
April	Bet365 Select Hurdle	Hurdle	Sandown	2m 5½f	4yo +

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Month	Race Name	Type	Racecourse	Distance	Age
May	An Riocht Chase	Chase	Killarney	2m 4½f	5yo +
July	Grimes Hurdle	Hurdle	Tipperary	2m	4yo +
July/August	Galway Plate	Chase	Galway	2m 6f	4yo +
July/August	Galway Hurdle	Hurdle	Galway	2m	4yo +
July/August	Ballybrit Novice Chase	Chase	Galway	2m 1f	4yo +
September	Kerry National	Chase	Listowel	3m	4yo +
Sept / October	Kilbegnet Novice Chase	Chase	Roscommon	2m	4yo +
October	Joe Mac Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Tipperary	2m	4yo +
October	Istabraq Hurdle	Hurdle	Tipperary	2m	4yo +
October	Like A Butterfly Novice Chase	Chase	Tipperary	2m 4f	4yo +
October	Buck House Novice Chase	Chase	Punchestown	2m 2f	4yo +
October	Irish Daily Star Chase	Chase	Punchestown	3m 1f	5yo +
October	Munster National	Chase	Limerick	3m	4yo +
Oct / Nov	Poplar Square Chase	Chase	Naas	2m	5yo +
November	Down Royal Mares Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Down Royal	2m	4yo +
November	Cork E.B.F. Novice Chase	Chase	Cork	2m 4f	5yo +
November	Fishery Lane Hurdle	Hurdle	Naas	2m	4yo
November	For Auction Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Navan	2m	4yo +
November	Monksfield Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Navan	2m 4f	4yo +
December	Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle	Hurdle	Fairyhouse	2m	3yo
December	Klairon Davis Novice Chase	Chase	Navan	2m 1f	4yo +
December	Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Cork	3m	4yo +
December	Leopardstown E.B.F. Mares Hurdle	Hurdle	Leopardstown	2m 4f	4yo +
January	Savills New Year’s Day Chase	Chase	Tramore	2m 5f	5yo +
January	John and Chich Fowler Memorial Mares Chase	Chase	Fairyhouse	2m 4f	5yo +
January	Killiney Novice Chase	Chase	Punchestown	2m 4f	5yo +
January	Limestone Lad Hurdle	Hurdle	Naas	2m 3f	5yo +
January	Naas Racecourse Business Club Novice Chase	Chase	Naas	3m	5yo +
January	Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Fairyhouse	2m 2f	4yo +
February	Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Clonmel	3m	4yo +
February	Red Mills Trial Hurdle	Hurdle	Gowran Park	2m	4yo +
February	Quevega Mares Hurdle	Chase	Punchestown	2m 4f	4yo + m
February	Michael Purcell Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Thurles	2m 4f	5yo +
February	Newlands Chase	Chase	Naas	2m	5yo +
February	Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle	Hurdle	Fairyhouse	2m	4yo
February	Bobbyjo Chase	Chase	Fairyhouse	3m 1f	5yo +
March	Flyingbolt Novice Chase	Chase	Navan	2m	5yo +
March	Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Naas	2m	4yo +
March	Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase	Chase	Naas	2m 4f	5yo +
March	Limerick E.B.F. Mares Novice Hurdle	Hurdle	Limerick	2m	4yo +
March	Native Upmanship Novice Chase	Chase	Thurles	2m 2f	5yo +
March	Hugh McMahon Novice Chase	Chase	Limerick	3m	5yo +
April	Imperial Call Chase	Chase	Cork	3m	5yo +
April / May	Weatherbys Ireland EBF Mares Bumper	Flat	Punchestown	2m	4–7yo

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.