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Racecourse Guide

Aintree
National Hunt

Ormskirk Road, Liverpool · Home of the Grand National

⬤ National Hunt
Turf
Left-Handed
Flat

Track Type
Sharp Mildmay
Shape
Oval ~1m4f
Fences
8 per circuit
Home Straight
2 fences
Run-in
200 yards
Direction
Left-handed
Flagship Race
Grand National Gr.3

Track Breakdown

Course Overview

Aintree National Hunt track map

Aintree operates two entirely different racecourses and you need to be clear which one you are handicapping before you do anything else. The Grand National course — triangular, left-handed, roughly two miles two furlongs round, spruce fences — is a specialist test that most horses will never face. The Mildmay course, used for the vast majority of racing here, is a flat, sharp, left-handed oval of about a mile and a half, with conventional birch fences and a run-in of approximately 200 yards. They demand different things from a horse. Conflating the two is the most expensive mistake you can make at Aintree.

“Even though it’s flat, it can be very testing for a horse, so you need one that can travel. The winner is almost always still on the bridle leaving the back straight — and those that aren’t really struggle to get home. It’s a long, long way from the home turn to the line.”
— At The Races Aintree Course Guide

The Mildmay course is what the form analyst encounters on most visits. Sharp bends at both ends, two fences in the home straight, and a very short run-in after the last. The sharpness is not cosmetic — it actively filters out long-striding, galloping types and rewards horses that are agile, travel fluently within their races, and jump without losing momentum on the turns. Horses that need time and space to wind up their stride get caught out on the Mildmay bends repeatedly. The pace is usually strong from the start because the flat track and competitive fields leave no incentive to dawdle.

Mildmay Chase Track

  • CircuitApprox. 1m4f, left-handed oval
  • Fences8 per circuit, birch, conventional height
  • Home Straight2 fences, long run to last
  • Run-inApprox. 200 yards — short after the final fence
  • BendsSharp at both ends; penalises long-striding types
  • GoingUsually Good to Soft in spring; can ride fast in April

Track & History

  • Founded1829 as a flat course; jump racing from 1839
  • OwnershipThe Jockey Club
  • Mildmay CourseOpened December 1953, named for amateur champion Lord Mildmay
  • Key MeetingsGrand National Festival (April), November, December
  • Capacity~70,000 on Grand National day
  • Similar TracksKempton (rhythm), Fontwell (sharp), Market Rasen

Notable Races

The Racing Calendar

Grade 3 · Handicap Chase
Grand National
4m2½f · National Course · 30 fences · April
The most famous steeplechase in the world. Run over two circuits of the National course with its spruce fences, including Becher’s Brook, the Canal Turn and The Chair. Stamina, jumping accuracy, and a clear round matter more than class. See our full Grand National guide for the fences, the betting, and what happens to the horses afterwards.

Grade 1 · Chase
Aintree Bowl
3m1f · Mildmay Course · April
The championship staying chase of the festival. Attracts Gold Cup graduates stepping back in trip and proven three-milers. A strong pace on the Mildmay circuit sorts out those with any jumping weakness.

Grade 1 · Chase
Melling Chase
2m4f · Mildmay Course · April
Run on the middle day of the festival, this is the intermediate-distance championship chase. Often attracts Queen Mother Champion Chase runners stepping up. Moscow Flyer, Altior and Viking Flagship have won here.

Grade 1 · Hurdle
Aintree Hurdle
2m4f · Mildmay Course · April
The Festival’s flagship hurdle. The flat track gives Champion Hurdle horses every chance of staying the extra half-mile. Eight of the last eleven winners had run in the Champion Hurdle. Constitution Hill won here in 2023.

Grade 2 · Handicap Chase
Becher Chase
3m2f · National Course · December
Run over the Grand National fences in December — one of only two chances per year to see the big spruce obstacles in a handicap context. Course experience over the National fences is a significant factor.

Grade 1 · Chase
Manifesto Novices’ Chase
2m3½f · Mildmay Course · April
The novice chase championship of the festival. The novice chase championship of the Festival — the first serious test of whether a young chaser can jump accurately at Aintree pace. Winners Bregawn and Burrough Hill Lad both went on to win the Gold Cup. Cheltenham novice chase form is the dominant trial; the key question is whether the horse can handle the Mildmay’s sharper bends after Prestbury Park.

Pace Bias

The Number That Matters

The Mildmay course produces a clear front-runner bias, driven by two structural features working in combination: a flat surface that allows horses to maintain speed without the energy cost of climbing, and sharp bends that allow a horse on or near the lead to take the shortest racing line while rivals on the outside cover extra ground. On a track this size — roughly a mile and a half round — a horse that is a length or two clear at the home turn has already banked a decisive positional advantage before the final two fences are even reached. The short 200-yard run-in after the last leaves hold-up horses with almost no time to close.

Pace Bias — Mildmay Course

Led / Made All
Strong

Prominent (1–3 lengths)
Moderate

Held Up (midfield)
Weak

Held Up (rear)
Very Weak

This bias does not mean every front-runner wins. What it means is that a horse which needs cover, needs daylight, or needs a long run to build momentum is structurally disadvantaged here regardless of ability. When handicapping Aintree Mildmay form, discount hold-up finishes — they often flatter the horse. Elevate prominent-position efforts, even in defeat, because the track made that horse work harder for the same result.

Statistics · Since 2010

Top Trainers & Jockeys

TrainerRunsWinsWin%PlacesPlace%A/EP/L
1 Henderson, N J4437717.38%14131.83%1.05-64.74
2 Nicholls, P F4455512.36%12728.54%0.84-132.21
3 Skelton, Daniel3665414.75%13336.34%0.92+43.17
4 Twiston-Davies, N A3193711.60%8927.90%0.94-112.93
5 Mullins, W P2193214.61%8237.44%1.01-35.65
6 Bowen, Peter / Michael2102813.33%6631.43%1.12+15.00
7 O’Neill, Jonjo and AJ2602610.00%6424.62%0.84-90.70
8 Hobbs, P J / White, J2302611.30%7130.87%0.87-78.98
9 King, A2072411.59%7234.78%0.81-30.41
10 McCain Jnr, D367236.27%7319.89%0.62-200.66
11 Elliott, Gordon1932211.40%5830.05%1.09-37.37
12 Tizzard, C L1421812.68%4531.69%1.03+60.32
13 George, T R1411712.06%3826.95%1.01-14.55
14 Pipe, D E195168.21%4020.51%0.73-66.22
15 Murphy, Olly1371510.95%4129.93%0.67-48.45
16 Curtis, Miss Rebecca1151513.04%3227.83%1.02-49.67
17 Russell, Miss Lucinda V144128.33%3826.39%0.81+2.46
18 O’Brien, Fergal130129.23%3627.69%0.75-23.71
19 Bromhead, Henry De112119.82%2724.11%1.00-1.50
20 Fry, Harry891112.36%2730.34%0.88-28.39

Aintree NH, since 2010. N J Henderson leads the page on volume (77 wins from 443, 17.4% SR, A/E 1.05), beating the market too. Oppose the over-bet D McCain Jnr (A/E 0.62), Olly Murphy (A/E 0.67) and D E Pipe (A/E 0.73).
JockeyRunsWinsWin%PlacesPlace%A/EP/L
1 Skelton, Harry2964515.20%11839.86%0.87+1.96
2 Twiston-Davies, Sam3123511.22%8727.88%0.91-75.09
3 Hughes, Brian323309.29%7824.15%0.87-54.03
4 McCoy, A P1473020.41%6040.82%1.03-17.37
5 Johnson, Richard2332912.45%8436.05%0.86-8.73
6 Geraghty, B J1522919.08%5838.16%0.99+7.31
7 Coleman, A2232611.66%5223.32%0.96-34.05
8 Boinville, Nico1452517.24%4732.41%0.98-45.13
9 Bowen, Sean P2212310.41%5926.70%0.73-96.87
10 Brennan, P J1762212.50%4626.14%0.94-55.57
11 Cobden, Harry1382215.94%4834.78%1.06+19.10
12 Jacob, Daryl1481711.49%4933.11%0.96+5.00
13 Walsh, R941718.09%3638.30%0.84-29.87
14 Townend, P911718.68%3639.56%1.11-1.10
15 Scudamore, Tom203167.88%4522.17%0.65-68.93
16 O’Brien, T J1441510.42%3322.92%0.94-49.25
17 Fehily, Noel1011312.87%3029.70%0.97-25.12
18 Burke, Jonathan112119.82%3127.68%0.96-32.79
19 Walsh, M P531120.75%2547.17%1.28+13.51
20 Maguire, Jason122108.20%2923.77%0.59-67.49

Aintree NH, since 2010. Harry Skelton leads the riders on volume (45 wins from 296, 15.2% SR, A/E 0.87), though the market prices that in. The real value signals are M P Walsh (A/E 1.28, +£13.51). Oppose the over-bet Jason Maguire (A/E 0.59), Tom Scudamore (A/E 0.65) and Sean P Bowen (A/E 0.73).
Sire Statistics · Since 2010

Top Sires

SireRunsWinsWin%PlacesPlace%A/EP/L
1 Oscar (IRE)2362611.02%7833.05%0.91-63.04
2 Milan1872312.30%6534.76%1.08-5.00
3 Kayf Tara238229.24%5924.79%0.82-10.80
4 Flemensfirth (USA)240208.33%7129.58%0.76-74.54
5 King’s Theatre (IRE)218209.17%6027.52%0.79-119.28
6 Kapgarde (FR)851821.18%3338.82%1.68+96.24
7 Presenting276165.80%5218.84%0.60-112.82
8 Walk In The Park (IRE)1021615.69%4140.20%0.95+79.68
9 Beneficial182158.24%4524.73%0.95-34.50
10 Saint Des Saints (FR)861517.44%3237.21%1.32+32.37
11 Midnight Legend1291410.85%4131.78%0.92+23.13
12 Martaline1011211.88%2423.76%1.00-48.84
13 Yeats (IRE)122119.02%4032.79%0.78+19.17
14 Old Vic103109.71%2625.24%1.18+45.75
15 Definite Article561017.86%2239.29%1.41+41.70
16 Jeremy (USA)551018.18%1832.73%1.71+36.25
17 Dom Alco (FR)481020.83%1633.33%1.35+20.20
18 Shirocco (GER)73912.33%1520.55%1.08-11.62
19 Malinas (GER)68913.24%2029.41%1.08-29.61
20 Scorpion (IRE)65913.85%1624.62%1.00-13.70

Aintree NH, since 2010. Oscar (IRE) tops the sire list (26 wins from 236, 11.0% SR, A/E 0.91), though the market prices that in. The real value signals are Kapgarde (FR) (A/E 1.68, +£96.24), Old Vic (A/E 1.18, +£45.75) and Definite Article (A/E 1.41, +£41.70). Oppose the over-bet Presenting (A/E 0.60), Flemensfirth (USA) (A/E 0.76) and King’s Theatre (IRE) (A/E 0.79).
Insider Knowledge

Betting Angles

📍

Front-Runners Win

The Mildmay course is structurally biased toward horses that lead or race prominently. The flat surface, sharp bends, and 200-yard run-in combine to leave hold-up horses with nowhere to go. If a horse’s form reads as a hold-up performer, apply a significant discount.

🔄

Know Which Course

Before doing anything else, establish whether a race is on the Mildmay or National course. Form from one course does not automatically transfer to the other. The fences, the distances, the demands — they are fundamentally different tests.

📋

Champion Hurdle Pointer

For the Aintree Hurdle, the Champion Hurdle is the dominant form guide. The flat track removes the stamina attrition of Cheltenham and allows two-milers to see out the extra distance comfortably. Eight of the past eleven Aintree Hurdle winners had run in the Champion Hurdle.

⚡

Cheltenham Form — Use It Carefully

Aintree comes four weeks after Cheltenham and the form link is real but not automatic. Horses that were beaten at Cheltenham by the uphill finish or by an unsuitably undulating track often reverse that form on the flat Mildmay circuit. Look for the horse that was going best turning in at Cheltenham but emptied on the climb.

🏇

Irish Yards at Festival Time

Irish-trained runners have an outstanding record in the Grade 1 races at the April Festival — particularly Mullins and Elliott runners who arrive off Cheltenham runs. The Irish strike rate in top-level Aintree races is materially better than the starting prices imply.

🎯

National Course: Experience Is Non-Negotiable

On the Grand National course, prior experience over the big spruce fences is as close to a mandatory requirement as the form book provides. Horses without experience of the National fences — whether from the National itself, the Becher Chase, or the Grand Sefton — fail at a much higher rate than those who have jumped them before.

Common Pitfalls

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Where Punters Go Wrong at Aintree

  • Treating Mildmay and National course form as interchangeable. They are not the same track and not the same test.
  • Backing hold-up horses on the Mildmay circuit because they won elsewhere. The 200-yard run-in is not enough room to make up ground from the rear.
  • Ignoring Cheltenham form. The two meetings are closely linked — but look for horses that were travelling well before the hill beat them, not horses that were beaten for pace.
  • Underestimating National fence experience. First-timers over the big spruce obstacles fail at a rate that starting prices consistently fail to reflect.

Common Questions

Aintree Racecourse FAQs

What is the difference between Aintree’s two courses?
Aintree runs two entirely different racecourses, and you must establish which one you are handicapping first. The Grand National course is a triangular, left-handed circuit of about two and a quarter miles with the famous spruce fences — Becher’s Brook, the Canal Turn, The Chair — a specialist test most horses never face. The Mildmay course, used for the vast majority of racing, is a flat, sharp, left-handed oval of about a mile and a half with conventional birch fences. Conflating the two is the most expensive mistake at Aintree.
Does Aintree favour front-runners?
On the Mildmay course, strongly. A flat surface lets horses sustain the gallop, the sharp bends let the leader take the shortest line, and the short run-in after the last — around 200 yards — leaves hold-up horses almost no time to close. A horse a length or two clear at the home turn has already banked a decisive edge, so discount hold-up finishes here and upgrade prominent efforts, even in defeat.
How important is Grand National fence experience?
As close to mandatory as the form book gets. On the Grand National course, horses without prior experience of the big spruce fences — from the National itself, the Becher Chase or the Grand Sefton — fail at a much higher rate than those who have jumped them, and starting prices consistently underrate the difference. Course experience over those obstacles is a genuine, priced-in factor.
How does Cheltenham form translate to Aintree?
The link is real but not automatic — Aintree comes four weeks later, and the flat Mildmay circuit removes Cheltenham’s uphill stamina test. Look for horses that were travelling best turning in at Cheltenham before the hill beat them, not those beaten for pace. For the Aintree Hurdle, the Champion Hurdle is the dominant pointer: eight of the last eleven winners had run in it.
Which way does Aintree race, and how testing is it?
Left-handed. Even though the Mildmay course is flat, it rides as a real test — the winner is almost always still travelling well leaving the back straight, because it is a long way from the home turn to the line. The sharpness filters out long-striding gallopers and rewards agile horses that travel fluently and jump without losing momentum on the turns.


Explore

Other Jumps Tracks

Ayr

Galloping jumps track — the Scottish Grand National.

Kempton Park

Sharp, flat right-hander — home of the King George.

Lingfield Park

Sharp, undulating winter jumps track.

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