The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed a series of changes to the Jump Pattern for the 2026/27 season, including the promotion of seven races to Premier Handicap status.
The changes follow a review by the Jump Pattern Committee, which assessed the programme with the aim of making its leading handicap races more competitive and more recognisable to racing followers.
Among the established contests to be upgraded are Chepstow’s Silver Trophy Hurdle in October, Ascot’s Hurst Park Steeple Chase in November, Kempton’s Lanzarote Hurdle in January, Kelso’s Morebattle Hurdle in March and Sandown’s Imperial Cup in March.
Two new Premier Handicaps will also be added: the Tradesmen’s Plate, a 2m4f hurdle at Kelso on 6 December, and the Wolsey, a 2m chase at Sandown on 6 February.
The BHA has also introduced a requirement for every Jump Pattern and Listed race to carry a permanent identifying word, known as a race handle. The rule had previously applied only to Grade 1, Grade 2 and Listed contests.
All Premier Handicaps will operate with early-closing entries from this season, replacing the mixed system under which only around half of the races used early closing dates.
Grade changes and Aintree move
Two mares’ chases have been promoted to Grade 2 status: Doncaster’s Yorkshire Silver Vase in December and Perth’s Fair Maid of Perth in April.
The Grade 2 Elite Hurdle will move permanently from Wincanton to Aintree, where it will be run in November under its new name, the Molyneux.
Elsewhere, Ascot’s 2m Premier Handicap chase on 31 October will be downgraded to Class 2 to accommodate the Hurst Park’s promotion. Ayr’s Scottish Champion Hurdle will switch from a limited-handicap Grade 2 to a full-weight-range Premier Handicap.
The Jump Pattern Committee will also introduce an average-field-size measure to its annual review of Premier Handicaps. Chases will be expected to average 10 declarations over three years, while hurdle races must average 12, with races falling short liable to downgrade.
Flexibility for Chasing Excellence races
The BHA has also set out how it will manage Chasing Excellence Novices’ and Beginners’ Chases when they return this autumn.
It will have the option to remove or reschedule an individual race where forecast ground conditions are unlikely to support sufficient runner numbers. Any decision to remove a race from its original fixture will be announced at least 10 days beforehand, with rescheduling dependent on suitable alternative opportunities being available.
The policy follows occasions last season when races were staged with very small fields, including walkovers and match races. The BHA said the added flexibility is intended to help protect the place of the races in the programme and improve the likelihood of meaningful participation.
The revised programme also changes penalties in Grade 2 weight-for-age races. Recent Premier Handicap and Listed weight-for-age winners will no longer receive penalties in non-novice Grade 2 contests, while novice Grade 2 and Listed penalties have been adjusted to align with the revised structure.