This weekend, Haydock Park will host one of the few recognised Grand National Trials in the country.

The race is an important test of stamina and determination and will see some of this year’s Randox Grand National hopefuls arriving at the St Helens racecourse to battle it out.

Here, general manager Molly Dingwall tells us why the race is so important and everything else there is to look forward to on the day.

We’re lucky to host loads of great fixtures here at Haydock Park, but the Betfred Grand National Trial Day is up there with the best of them.

It is one of the only recognised trial days for the Randox Grand National and as such, we see some of those who will be hunting for glory at the world’s most famous steeplechase race coming here as part of their preparations for the big day.

The legendary Red Rum, who won the Grand National a record-holding three times and finished second on a further two occasions, won the Trial here at Haydock Park in 1975 and many winners since have gone on to compete in the four-mile-two-and-a-half-furlong challenge at Aintree.

It really is a great day of racing and we have a selection of exciting horses entered for this year’s renewal.

Away from the turf, we’re really excited to be welcoming Michael Smith, the reigning PDC World Darts Champion and World No.1 to the racecourse.

Michael, who is local to St Helens, will be out and about throughout the day and will be presenting some of our winners with their awards in the Winner’s Enclosure – so keep your eyes peeled for him!

St Helens Star:

We will also have music around the racecourse from the The Iron Boot Scrapers and a replica Grand National Fence will be erected close to the entrance to give racegoers an up close look of the fences Aintree runners will face come April 15.

Recently The Jockey Club announced that dress codes will no longer be in place at any of our 15 racecourses, including right here at Haydock Park.

We believe that people should be able to come to our venues feeling their best and it is really important to us to be as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Given the weather we often experience here in the North West, we have always encouraged visitors to come dressed to stay warm and dry and we really hope that this latest move will further encourage more people to come and enjoy a day out racing.

After Saturday, we’ll be turning our attentions to the March 22 when we have afternoon racing, followed by our highly-anticipated Superhero Family Day on the 8th of April – so make sure you mark your calendars for a great afternoon of fun which will see loads of fantastic entertainment and games for everyone to enjoy.

  • For further information about Haydock Park and everything we have planned in the coming months, please visit our website: www.thejockeyclub.haydockpark – we look forward to welcoming you very soon.