A sharp January chill, a testing surface, and the promise of stamina-led contests will set the tone as Wincanton prepares to stage Somerset National Day on Thursday, January 15. The eight-race programme, running from 12:07pm to 4:10pm, will bring together seasoned jumpers, emerging hurdlers, and raw National Hunt talent, all building toward a demanding feature that traditionally rewards resilience as much as ability.
The spotlight will fall firmly on the Race 7 – Somerset National Handicap Chase, a Class 3 steeplechase that will headline the afternoon at 3:37pm. Run over an exacting 3m2f162y and featuring 22 fences, the contest will offer a winner’s share of £15,843 and will test both tactical judgement and stamina. With seven runners declared, the race will place emphasis on jumping accuracy and rhythm, particularly through the later stages when fatigue often reshapes the outcome.
Contenders: Isaac Des Obeaux, Rivers Corner, Destroytheevidence, Operation Manna, Iron Bridge, Our Power, Rapper
Racing will begin at 12:07pm with the Flaked Oats Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase, a Class 4 GBB contest for five-year-olds and up. Set over 3m1f30y and 21 fences, the opening race will feature eight runners and will immediately ask questions of inexperienced chasers over a proper staying trip. With £5,281 to the winner, it will offer a valuable early-season opportunity for novice chasers to make their mark.
Attention will then turn to hurdles with two divisions of the Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) with each offering £5,281 to the winner. Division I, scheduled for 12:42pm, will see 12 runners tackle eight hurdles over 1m7f50y in a Class 4 contest for four-year-olds and above. Division II will follow at 1:17pm under identical conditions, providing another group of lightly raced hurdlers the chance to progress and gain confidence on a competitive stage.
The middle of the card will feature two handicap hurdles that promise to be crowd-pullers. The first, at 1:52pm, will be a Class 5 contest over 1m7f50y with 13 runners facing eight hurdles for a winner’s prize of £4,489. This race is expected to suit improving types stepping into handicaps for the first time. At 2:27pm, a Class 4 Handicap Hurdle over 2m3f179y will raise the bar, with 12 runners navigating 10 hurdles for a £5,280 winner’s share, placing greater emphasis on pace and tactical positioning.
Staying hurdlers will then take centre stage at 3:02pm in the Handicap Hurdle, a Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier. This Class 3 contest will be run over 3m150y with 13 hurdles and 10 runners, offering £10,562 to the winner. It is expected to be a key stepping stone for horses targeting longer-distance prizes later in the season.
After the Somerset National provides its traditional stamina test, the card will conclude at 4:10pm with the ‘Newcomers’ National Hunt Flat Race. This Class 5 GBB contest for four- to six-year-olds will cover 1m7f50y and feature 11 runners competing for a winner’s share of £2,178, offering a first glimpse of future jumping prospects.
Somerset National Day at Wincanton will promise a full-bodied winter jumps experience, blending depth, endurance, and opportunity across a thoughtfully structured card. With conditions set to reward toughness and composure, the Wincanton Racecards 15 January will stand as a meaningful checkpoint in the National Hunt season.
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