Top Novices Hurdle

Grade – 1 (since 2016, previously grade 2)
Course – Aintree
Race Type – Hurdle
Distance – 2 Miles 1/2 Furlong (16.5 Furlongs)
Ages – 4yo +
Weights – 10st 13lbs (4yo), 11st 7lbs (5yo+), 7lbs allowance for fillies & mares
Sponsor – Poundland

Grade 1

Recent Form and Trends

* The 2020 race was cancelled for health and safety reasons

Trends

Age – 10 of the last 11 winners were aged 5 or 6
Price – 5 of the last 11 winners were favourites, 7/11 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
Last Run – 7/11 winners won or placed on their last run before the Top Novices Hurdle, 10/11 winners had their last run within the last 31 days
8/11 winners ran in the Supreme Novices Hurdle (Cheltenham) on their last run, 0 of the 8 won, 5 placed
Previous Distance Form – 10/11 winners had at least 4 previous runs over 15-17 furlongs, 8/11 winners had at least 2 wins over 15-17 furlongs
Previous Hurdle Form – 11/11 winners had at least 2 runs over hurdles, 10/11 winners had at least 3 runs over hurdles, 10/11 winners had at least 1 win over hurdles
Rating – 8/11 winners had a rating of 141 or higher
Season Form – 11/11 winners had at least 3 runs that season, 10/11 winners had at least 1 win that season

Future Form

Trends

Next Run
6 of the last 11 winners won on their next run after the Top Novices Hurdle, 3/11 placed on their next run
2/11 winners ran in the Champion Novice Hurdle (Punchestown) on their next run, 0 of the 2 won, 1 placed

Rest of The Season Runs
2 of the last 11 winners ran in at least 1 more race that season
0/11 won at least 1 more race that season, 1/11 placed in at least 1 more race that season

Aintree Festival Run Next Season
4/11 winners ran at the Aintree Festival the following season, 2 of the 4 won, 0 placed
2/11 winners ran in the Maghull Novices Chase at the following years Aintree Festival, 1 of the 2 won, 0 placed