THE Cork Grand National has lost its blacktype status following a review by the National Hunt Pattern Committee.

Due to be run on November 1st this year, the three-mile, four-furlong handicap chase was run as a Grade B race as recently as 2022. The winner that year was Captain Kangaroo.

Downgraded to a listed race since 2023, the race has been won by Sir Bob, Sphagnum and Lonesome Boatman.

This year’s running is again sponsored by Paddy Power but the prize money is down from €40,000 to €25,000.

Two Grade 3 hurdle races have also been downgraded to listed status.

The first is the Tipperary Hurdle, which has been switched to Gowran Park this year and is being run today, and the other is the Joe Connolly (Red Mills) Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park in February.

British changes

In Britain, seven races have been upgraded to premier handicaps, including the Silver Trophy Hurdle at Chepstow this month and the Hurst Park Steeple Chase at Ascot in November. Two mares’ chases have been upgraded to Grade 2 level: the Yorkshire Silver Vase at Doncaster in December and the Fair Maid of Perth in April, while the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle will move permanently from Wincanton to Aintree in November and be renamed the Molyneux.

The BHA’s Jump Pattern Committee has also introduced a quality control measure for premier handicaps. These races are required to achieve three-year average declarations of 10 in chases and 12 over hurdles, or face possible downgrade.