The John Smith’s Grand National Chase Rules

Prize Money
Total prize fund £800,000 (includes seventh and eighth prizes for the first time). The winning horse gains £450,720 with the second to receive £169,760, the third £84,960, the fourth £42,480, the fifth £21,280, the sixth £10,640, the seventh £5,280 and the eighth £2,720.

Age, Sex and Ratings

The race is for six-year-olds old and upwards who are allotted a rating of 110 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 3, 2008. Horses who are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at January 29, 2008, may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s
racecourse performances to February 3, 2008, would merit a minimum rating of 110.

To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in steeple chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same recognised turf authority up to and including February 3, 2008. At the handicapper’s discretion such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final.

Distance
Four miles and four furlongs (over the Grand National Course).

Race Stages

• £650 stake closed on January 29, 2008
• £700 extra unless forfeit declared by March 4, 2008
• £700 extra unless forfeit declared by March 18, 2008
• £950 extra if entry confirmed on March 31, 2008

Rider Details

To be ridden by either:

a) Jockeys or amateur riders who, before April 3, 2008, have ridden not less than 15 winners in steeple chases or hurdle races under the Rules of Racing and/or the Rules of the Irish National Hunt Steeple Chase Committee or, before March 23, 2008, have ridden not less than 10 winners in steeple chases or hurdle races and have applied no later than
March 26, 2008, to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority or British Horseracing Authority for exemption to ride in this race. This dispensation will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and the BHA decision shall be final.

b) Subject to the approval of the British Horseracing Authority, jockeys or amateur riders licensed or permitted by any recognised turf authority who have ridden not less than 15
winners in steeple chases or hurdle races under the rules of any recognised turf authority and who ride under the provisions of Rule 60 or Rule 61 of the Rules of Racing. Application forms for approval under (a) and (b) above will be available from the BHA Registry Office and must be completed and submitted no later than March 26 and 27,
2008, respectively.

Weight Details

No penalties after the publication of the weights.

Sponsorship Details

Scottish & Newcastle has generously sponsored this race and will present a memento, a replica of the perpetual trophy, to the winning owner. The winning owner will also be presented with a perpetual trophy, to be returned to the Racecourse by March 1, 2009. In addition, Scottish & Newcastle will present a memento to the winning trainer and jockey.

The stable employee in charge of the best turned out horse in this race will receive a £300 cash prize and a memento. The stable employee in charge of the winner will receive a memento and Scottish & Newcastle will also give a memento to the breeder of the winning horse and a memento, in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, to the breeder of the first British-bred horse to finish in this race.

All number cloths to be carried in this race have been sponsored and will carry the name and logo of John Smith’s. The sponsorship payment of £500 will be distributed equally amongst all horses starting in this race in accordance with Order 213 of the Orders and Rules of Racing.

Runners

Declarations to run for this race must be made by 10am on Thursday, April 3, and declarations of riders must be made by 1pm on Thursday, April 3. The British Horseracing Authority may exercise its powers under Rule 1A (xviii) to refuse to allow a horse duly entered to run when it has reason to be concerned about the horse’s suitability for the race.

Any horse whose entry is confirmed under Order 120 (ii) will not be permitted to run if it subsequently runs in any other race. All runners must be presented to the BHA Veterinary Officers for a pre-race veterinary inspection and must pass the inspection.   Any horse considered unfit to run will be withdrawn by order of the Stewards of the Meeting under Rule 14 (v) or (xv).

Horses may be presented for inspection between 9am and 1pm on each day of the meeting. Subject to the discretion of the Stewards, any horse which is not presented for a veterinary inspection between these times will not be permitted to run under Rule 14 (v) or (xv).

Elimination

If elimination is necessary, the balloting of horses set to carry the same weight will be decided upon by using the horses’ current handicap mark at the time of elimination. The British Horseracing Authority has modified Order 95 (iii) for the purposes of this race.

Please Note: A novice horse shall only be qualified to run if it has run a minimum of three times in steeple chases in Great Britain, Ireland or France in accordance with Order 95 (iii)(c).