A well-balanced eight-race National Hunt programme will be conducted at Haydock Park on Wednesday, 15 April, featuring a mix of novice hurdles, handicap contests, and high-quality steeplechases. The meeting will offer a competitive spread across classes, including a Listed mares’ hurdle and a Grade 2 feature chase, with prize money ranging from £20,000 to £80,000 and distances extending from just under two miles to marathon trips beyond three miles.
At the well-regarded venue, the opening contest at 1:30 PM, the Watch Racing Postcast Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 2), will be run over 2m 5f 50y and will feature five declared runners. Intosomethinggood, Le Beau Madrik, Legendary Luke, Matty’s Getaway, and Padre Arthur will line up in a tightly assembled field, where each runner will aim to establish credentials in the novice division while competing for a total prize fund of £20,000. The race will provide an early indication of emerging talent within the staying novice hurdle ranks.
The Abram Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 1, Listed) will follow at 2:05 PM over the same distance of 2m 5f 50y, with a prize fund of £45,000 attracting a stronger field of eight runners. White Noise, Dream Shadow, Girl Friday, Great Dance, Just A Glance, and Livingonaprayer will be joined by two additional contenders, forming a competitive lineup in this high-quality mares-only contest that will test both stamina and jumping consistency. The Listed status of the race will ensure that it holds significance for future graded prospects.
The feature race of the meeting will take place at 2:40 PM with the Silver Trophy Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1, Grade 2), a limited handicap run over 2m 3f 203y with a substantial prize of £80,000. A field of eleven runners will be declared, including Tommy’s Oscar, Outlaw Peter, Jour d’Evasion, Riskintheground, Zurich, and Fugitif, alongside five others, creating a deep and competitive contest where experience over fences will play a decisive role. The race will stand out as the highlight of the afternoon, drawing attention for both its quality and depth.
The 3:15 PM Smartview Racecards Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2) will be contested over 2m 5f 50y with a total prize fund of £25,000. Twelve runners are set to take part, with Royal Infantry, Idy Wood, La Pinsonniere, George’s Lad, Irandando Has, and Johnson’s Blue among those declared, supported by six additional runners. This contest will present a competitive handicap scenario, where consistency and recent form will be crucial factors in determining the outcome.
Attention will then turn to the stamina test at 3:50 PM in the New Racing Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 3), run over an extended 3m 4f 97y with £20,000 in prize money. Eleven runners will line up, including Ki Woo, Fortunedefortunata, Red Delta, Fierce Warrior, Holokea, and Regarde, with five more runners completing the field. The extended distance will place emphasis on endurance, making it one of the most physically demanding races on the card.
The 4:25 PM Nicky Hendersons Blog Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2) will be run over 3m 58y with ten runners competing for £25,000 in prize money. Red Risk, Dartan, Moon Rocket, Red Dirt Road, Serious Chat, and Kilwaughter will feature among the declared runners, alongside four others. This staying hurdle will further test the field’s ability to maintain a strong gallop over a prolonged distance.
At 5:00 PM, the Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 2) will take place over 3m 1f 125y and will offer a prize fund of £30,000. Eight runners are set to compete, including Hang In There, Iron Bridge, Minella Crooner, Grand Geste, Bhaloo, and Millforce, with two additional participants completing the lineup. The race will combine tactical positioning with stamina, particularly in the closing stages.
The card will conclude at 5:35 PM with the Pony Racing Authority Graduates Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 3), run over 1m 7f 144y with a prize fund of £20,000. Seven runners will go to post, including Count of Vendome, Vocito, Across Earth, Brendas Asking, Scintillante, and Lively Citizen, alongside one additional runner. This shorter contest will provide a contrasting finale, likely to be run at a sharper pace compared to the earlier staying races.
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