The Grand National Trial is a Handicap Grade 3 National Hunt Chase open to horses aged five years or older.

It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of about 3 miles and 4 furlongs and is scheduled to take place each year in February.

When running at Aintree in the same year, form figures of: PU, 0, PU, 5, F suggest the Haydock National Trial winner has a poor expectation in the Grand National at Aintree.

With the wealth of information at our disposal, we analysed our horse race statistics since 1997 using our horse race software to profile each winner against this year’s runners and riders to see how they stack up against the key trends.

 

Age

Winners down the years have been 7 (three), 8 (four), 9 (six), 10 (two), 11 (two)

Horses aged between (and including) 7 and 9, account for 13 of the last 17 winners, perform 18% higher than normal and yield a profit of £28.83 to a £1 stake at Betfair Starting Prices. 22.01% Return on Investment

Race qualifiers for this category are: Benvolio, Samstown, Gas Line Boy, Trustan Times, Broadway Buffalo, Loch Ba

 

The Market View

Not a race for favourites, who have performed 26% below normal (3 wins from 17 renewals).

With 9 winners priced in double figure odds, this race is one where the market provides minimal clues.

 

Head Gear

Horse wearing any form of head gear have a poor record in the race with 1 winner (wearing blinkers) from a population of 77 horses. Collectively an expectation 80% below normal.

Race qualifiers for this category are: Benvolio, Broadway Buffalo, Loch Ba, Harry The Viking

 

Pace in Race

Possibly one category that offers a glimmer of hope when trying to unravel a difficult race.

Our analysis determined that horses that raced “Led” or “Prominent” are 14 from 17, a performance 73% above normal.

To help you visualise how the race could be run, you can identify horses with different running styles easily using our pace maps which can be found in our Proform racecards in addition to our horse ratings.

Race qualifiers for this category are: Lie Forrit, Benvolio, Harry The Viking, Mountainous

 

Finishing Position in Previous Race

Form leading into any race is a significant factor and horses that were placed in their race prior to the Grand National Trial have won 13 races from a population of 113 horses. A 25% better than expected performance.

Race qualifiers for this category are: Benvolio, Samstown, Benbens, Lie Forrit, Harry The Viking

 

Race Distance in Previous Race

Horses that ran at a distance of 3miles 5 furlongs (and beyond) in their previous race are 9 from 17 renewals. 52% above normal, and profitable to Betfair Starting Prices to a £1 stake. (£33.20, 46.76% Return on Investment)

Race qualifiers for this category are: Benvolio, Monbeg Dude, Gas Line Boy, Rigadin De Beauchene, Mountainous

 

Courses for Grand National Trial Horses

Horses that raced at Chepstow (5), Ayr (2) and Wetherby (2) in their race prior are 9 from 15 renewals. Collectively an expectation which is 140% above normal.  

Race qualifiers for this category are: Benvolio, Monbeg Dude, Gas Line Boy, Broadway Buffalo, Mountainous

 

Free Proform Race Guide

Do you want more detailed information about this race? 

Click here to download our free Proform Race Guide for the Grand National Trial