Which is the first Grade 1 steeplechase of the British National Hunt season?

The first Grade 1 steeplechase of the British National Hunt season is the Lancashire Chase, better known, for sponsorship purposes, as the Betfair Chase, which is run at Haydock Park in November. In fact, at the time of writing, the next renewal is scheduled for November 23, 2024, making the race the first Grade 1 contest, of any description, on the 2024/25 National Hunt calendar.

The Betfair Chase is run over a distance of three miles and one and a half furlongs and, novice chases aside, is one of just four Grade 1 steeplechases over distances of three miles or beyond during the season. The others are the King George VI Chase, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Aintree Bowl. In fact, at various points in its history, the Betfair Chase has served as the first leg of two £1 million bonus schemes, known as the “Betfair Million” and the “Chase Triple Crown”, also involving the King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Kauto Star, who won the Betfair Chase four times, King George VI Chase a record five times and the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, collected the Betfair Million in 2008/09.

The Betfair Chase was inaugurated in 2005, but it would be fair to say that the nature of the race has changed in recent years. In 2008/09, the once-famous, permanent drop fences at Haydock Park were replaced with less demanding, portable versions, in 2013/14, the Betfair Chase, along with all steeplechases run at the Merseyide course, was transferred to the outer Flat course and , in 2017/18, the distance was increased by a furlong and a half.