Aintree Hurdle
The Aintree Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres), and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in early April.
| Grade 1 race | |
| Location | Aintree Racecourse Merseyside, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1976 |
| Race type | Hurdle race |
| Sponsor | Betway |
| Website | Aintree |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2m 4f (4,023 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old and up |
| Weight | 11 st 0 lb (4yo); 11 st 7 lb (5yo+) Allowances 7 lb for fillies and mares |
| Purse | £250,000 (2022) 1st: £140,325 |
| 2024 | ||
| Impaire Et Passe | Bob Olinger | Langer Dan |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||
| Constitution Hill | Sharjah | Zanahiyr |
| 2022 | ||
| Epatante | Monmiral | McFabulous |
| 2021 | ||
| Abacadabras | Buzz | Millers Bank |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ||
| Supasundae | Buveur D'Air | Ch'tibello |
| 2018 | ||
| L'Ami Serge | Supasundae | Clyne |
| 2017 | ||
| Buveur D'air | My Tent Or Yours | The New One |
| 2016 | ||
| Annie Power | My Tent Or Yours | Nichols Canyon |
| 2015 | ||
| Jezki | Rock on Ruby | Volnay De Thaix |
| 2014 | ||
| The New One | Rock on Ruby | Diakali |
| 2013 | ||
| Zarkandar | The New One | Thousand Stars |
| 2012 | ||
| Oscar Whisky | Thousand Stars | Rock on Ruby |
| 2011 | ||
| Oscar Whisky | Thousand Stars | Salden Licht |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
| Khyber Kim | Muirhead | Zaynar |
| 2009 | ||
| Solwhit | Fiveforthree | United |
| 2008 | ||
| Al Eile | Osana | Straw Bear |
| 2007 | ||
| Al Eile | Gaspara | Afsoun |
| 2006 | ||
| Asian Maze | Hardy Eustace | Sky's The Limit |
| 2005 | ||
| Al Eile | Inglis Drever | Exotic Dancer |
| 2004 | ||
| Rhinestone Cowboy | Rooster Booster | Westender |
| 2003 | ||
| Sacundai | Rooster Booster | Like-A-Butterfly |
| 2002 | ||
| Ilnamar | Grimes | It Takes Time |
| 2001 | ||
| Barton | Best Mate | Mr Cool |
| 2000-1991 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
| Mister Morose | Mantles Prince | Effectual |
| 1999 | ||
| Istabraq | French Holly | Midnight Legend |
| 1998 | ||
| Pridwell | Istabraq | Kerawi |
| 1997 | ||
| Bimsey | Pridwell | Make A Stand |
| 1996 | ||
| Urubande | Strong Promise | Danoli |
| 1995 | ||
| Danoli | Boro Eight | Large Action |
| 1994 | ||
| Danoli | Mole Board | Fortune And Fame |
| 1993 | ||
| Morley Street | Granville Again | Flown |
| 1992 | ||
| Morley Street | Minorettes Girl | Forest Sun |
| 1991 | ||
| Morley Street | Nomadic Way | Run For Free |
| 1990-1988 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ||
| Morley Street | Joyful Noise | Ikdam |
| 1989 | ||
| Beech Road | Cloughtaney | Celtic Shot |
| 1988 | ||
| Celtic Chief | Sabin Du Loir | Cloughtaney |
The event was established in 1976, and it was originally run over 2 miles and 5½ furlongs. It was shortened to its present length in 1988. The race is staged during the three-day Grand National meeting, and was traditionally contested on the final day, Saturday. In 2013 it was moved to the opening day of the meeting, Thursday.
The Aintree Hurdle often features horses which ran previously over a shorter distance in the Champion Hurdle, and the last to win both events in the same year was Constitution Hill in 2023.
The 2010 running was named in memory of Dick Francis (1920–2010), a former jockey who was closely associated with Aintree. He famously rode Devon Loch in the Grand National, and he was leading the race on the run-in when the horse jumped and was overtaken. Since 2017 the race has been sponsored by Betway.