Founder & Editor · Last reviewed 2026-10-09
Formby Novices' Hurdle 2026
The Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree is a Grade 1 for novice hurdlers on Boxing Day. It replaced the Tolworth Hurdle, Sandown's long-standing January Grade 1 for novices, when the BHA moved that Grade 1 to Aintree's new Boxing Day fixture.
For 2026 the race is scheduled for Saturday 26 December 2026. The off time, the going and the declared runners are confirmed in race week, and this page adds the off time and going as they are published.
At a glance
- Course: Aintree, Liverpool
- Grade: Grade 1
- Distance: 2m 209y, eight hurdles
- Age: 3yo+ (novices)
- First run: 2023, as the Formby
Below: the 2026 details, the winners so far, how to watch, and the day out. The Aintree course guide covers the track.
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2026 race details
2026 race details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Race date | Saturday 26 December 2026 |
| Off time | TBA |
| Going | TBA |
| Field size | TBA |
| Distance | 2m 209y |
| Grade | Grade 1 |
| Age | 3yo+ (novices) |
Final declarations are made two days before the race, and the off time and going above update once they are published.
Where the race fits
It runs on the same day as the King George VI Chase at Kempton, so Boxing Day now has Grade 1 jumps racing at both courses. For the novices who come out of it, the spring targets are at Cheltenham and Aintree's own Grand National meeting. Our festivals and big races board lists every big race coming up, soonest first.
On race morning the AI race predictor publishes its ratings and fair prices for every British race, the Formby included.
Recent winners and trends
Recent winners and trends
Formby Novices' Hurdle: Recent Winners
Grade 1 · 2m 209y · 3yo+ (novices) · Aintree · December (Boxing Day)
| Year | Winner | Age | SP | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Idaho Sun | 5 | 3/1 | Bryan Carver | Harry Fry |
| 2024 | Potters Charm | 5 | evens f | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 2023 | Jango Baie | 4 | 17/2 | James Bowen | Nicky Henderson |
Trends
- The returned favourite (joint favourites included) won 1 of the 3 runnings from 2023 to 2025.
- Field sizes ran from 6 to 9 runners in 2023 to 2025.
Source-verified from official records. Last checked 2026-10-08.
The records
The records
- Leading trainer (Tolworth and Formby together): Nicky Henderson, with seven wins, the latest Jango Baie in the first Formby in 2023.
- Leading jockeys (Tolworth and Formby together): Norman Williamson, Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty, with three wins each.
- The Tolworth years: the race was run at Sandown in January from 1976 until its last running in January 2023.
How to watch and where to bet
How to watch and where to bet
The television listing and the off time are confirmed in race week, when the declarations are out. This page shows the off time above as soon as it is published.
Two things are worth checking before you bet:
- Free bets and their terms. Check the minimum odds and the expiry before you claim. Our free bet offers page compares them.
- Best odds guaranteed. Prices move once the going is known. A BOG bookmaker pays the starting price if it is bigger than the price you took. See our best BOG bookmakers.
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Raceday at Aintree
Raceday at Aintree
Boxing Day at Aintree is a newer fixture than the Grand National meeting and a quieter day out. Dress for the weather and book ahead for hospitality.
For getting there and the enclosures, read our day out at Aintree guide.
Results go on this page within 24 hours of the race, and the full card's results are on our racing results page the same evening.
Frequently asked questions
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