After a long off-season, horse racing fans will be excited for a return to the action with the upcoming Grand National this April. One of the most anticipated races at this year’s festival will be the Handicap Hurdle.
This grade three status hurdle race is run annually at the tracks at Aintree and is open to horses aged four years or older. Horse racing punters enjoy these races because the field is wide open. Even a horse with long odds has a chance of winning the top prize of 70,000 pounds.
Let’s take a look at some more details about this race, such as the previous winners, and give you our predictions for which horse to watch at this year’s race.
Date | 8 April 2022 |
Start Time (GMT) | 14:20 |
Distance | 2m 4f |
Type | Handicap Hurdle Race |
Prize | £70,000 |
Where to Watch | |
Horses’ Age | 4+ |
Handicap Hurdle: Recent Winners
Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
2021 | Tronador | Jack Kennedy | Denise Foster |
2020 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2019 | Three Musketeers | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott |
2018 | Jester Jet | Robert Dunne | Tom Lacey |
2017 | Rather Be | Jeremiah McGrath | Nicky Henderson |
2016 | Party Rock | Sean Quinlan | Jennie Candlish |
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Tips, Predictions and Previews
Note: the tips below refer to the 2021 Grand National Festival; updated previews will be available on the week of the 2022 Festival.
Day two openers don’t come much tougher – with 22 runners in this Grade 3 handicap. Top-weight Wilde About Oscar has C&D-wining form and his only setback over timber came in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury. He’s got the class to be involved while Monte Cristo, Whatsupwithyou, Solwara One and Edwardstone are all likely sorts. MISTER COFFEY ran well enough in the Betfair Hurdle in February to warrant a chance at double figure odds. There’s more progress to come from him and this drying ground is favourable for Nicky Henderson’s runner on what may be a good afternoon for the Seven Barrows supremo.
Selection: Mister Coffey @ 10/1
Previous Race: Mares’ Standard Open
Next Race: Top Novices’ Hurdle