Catterick’s jump season continues on Thursday 11 January, featuring its longest and most valuable race – the North Yorkshire Grand National sponsored by the Richmond based racecourse supplier firm, Watt Fences.
The Watt Fences North Yorkshire Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase, is scheduled for 2.35pm and is Catterick’s most prestigious National Hunt race, with over £26,000 prize money up for grabs.
The race forms part of a seven race card which starts at 12.30pm, with gates opening at 10.30am and tends to attract runners from some of the leading trainers in the United Kingdom. The last race is scheduled for 3:45pm.
Last year’s winner, Straidnahanna, made it a second successive victory in the three and three-quarter mile race for trainer Sue Smith and jockey Danny Cook following on from Lackamon’s win in 2016.
Fiona Needham, General Manager and Clerk of the Course said: “The North Yorkshire Grand National is always a race to look forward to – it’s a real test of stamina and a true jumping test.”
The winning owner will receive the Denys Smith Memorial Trophy. Denys Smith, who trained Red Alligator to win the 1968 Grand National, was a leading dual-purpose trainer and recorded a remarkable 146 winners at Catterick (89 on the Flat and 57 over jumps).
The card also includes a two-mile steeple chase, kindly sponsored by The Black Horse Inn at Kirkby Fleetham. The Black Horse Inn Dine, Drink, Win Handicap Steeple Chase, is for 5 year olds and upwards with £13,800 prize money on offer.
A big screen will be at the course on the day to give racegoers the best views of all the action. A free shuttle bus will be running to take racegoers from Richmond Market Place to the racecourse approximately one hour prior to the first race, and it will return again after the last race.