THE North Yorkshire Grand National, the longest and most valuable race of Catterick’s season over jumps, takes centre stage next Thursday.

The stayers’ handicap chase, over three and three-quarter miles, offers prize money of £20,000 and was won last year by Chac Du Cadran who was trained in Lincolnshire by Chris Bealby and ridden by Tom Messenger.

The race may attract one or two horses which could be entered at Aintree later in the year.

The winning owner will receive the Denys Smith Challenge Trophy, presented by the man who trained Red Alligator to win the 1968 Grand National from his base near Bishop Auckland.

Smith was the champion trainer over jumps during the 1967/68 season, and was a leading dual-purpose trainer – recording a remarkable 146 winners at Catterick (89 on the Flat and 57 over jumps).

Now 89, he still regularly attends meetings at Catterick and his daughter, Susan, is the racecourse’s administration manager.

Thursday’s card also features the WL & Hector Christie Memorial Trophy – a novices’ handicap chase) over two miles offering prize money of £12,000.

The race commemorates William Christie and his son, Hector. William Christie passed away in 1962 at the age of 103.