Grand National Trial

The Grand National Trial is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of about 3 miles and 4 furlongs (5,633 metres), and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in February.

The event was established in 1968, and during the early part of its history it was contested over 3 miles. It was extended to its present length in 1991. Former sponsors have included Greenalls (later known as De Vere Group), Red Square Vodka and Blue Square, and the race title combined the sponsor's name with "Gold Cup". The Tote took over sponsorship from the 2011 running and the race title was changed to the totesport.com Grand National trial. As the name implies, the race serves as an important trial for the Grand National.

Winners since 1980

• Weights given in stones and pounds.

¹ The race was abandoned in 1986 due to frost, and in 1987 because of snow.
² The 1994 running took place at Kempton Park.

References

• Racing Post:
  • 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  • 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

• pedigreequery.com – Blue Square (ex-Red Square) Gold Cup Chase – Haydock.
• racenewsonline.co.uk – Red Square Vodka Gold Cup (2007).
• Ladbrokes Pocket Companion 1990/91. Aesculus Press. 1990. p. 55. ISBN 1-871093-21-X. 

See also

• Horseracing in Great Britain
• List of British National Hunt races
• Race Recordings