Crayford has been reaffirmed as the premier venue for hurdling events, with the Grand National set to be held at the Kent track this November. This decision comes after Nunhead Shiv's victory in the Ladbrokes Champion Hurdle Final on Sunday, where Barry O’Sullivan's dog clinched the £10,000 prize. This marks the second time Crayford has hosted the event.
The track now seems likely to retain the Grand National, despite earlier discussions of relocating it to Hove, which hosted the Springbok novice hurdlers' championship last year. While the Springbok was cancelled this year, there are hopes it may return to Crayford in 2025.
Crayford management indicated that they are in discussions and expect to release details about this year's Grand National soon. They highlighted that hosting both the Grand National and the Champion Hurdle solidifies Crayford's position as the leading track for hurdling events, benefiting the trainers associated with the venue.