A sense of anticipation will hang thick in the Berkshire air on Saturday afternoon as Newbury prepares to stage William Hill Super Saturday, a meeting that traditionally signals the serious countdown to the Cheltenham Festival. Taking place just five weeks before jump racing’s biggest week, this seven-race card will once again act as a proving ground for established stars and emerging contenders, echoing past editions that showcased the likes of Altior, Denman and Native River. With top-quality racing from 1:00pm to 4:30pm and an afterparty to round off the day, February 7 will promise both sporting depth and atmosphere.
The centrepiece of the afternoon will be Race 5, the William Hill Hurdle, a premier handicap carrying a winner’s share of £87,219. As the feature race of the day, it will draw deep attention not just for its prize money, but for the depth of talent assembled and its long-standing reputation as a key Festival trial. However, the strength of the card will extend far beyond the headline event, with Grade 2 contests and competitive handicaps ensuring sustained intensity throughout the afternoon.
Proceedings will begin with Race 1 at 1:00pm, the William Hill Racing Epic Boosts Novices’ Hurdle, a GBB Race for four-year-olds and upwards. Run over 2m69y with eight hurdles to be jumped, the Class 3 contest will feature ten runners competing for a winner’s share of £9,258, setting an early tone of precision and promise.
Race 2 at 1:35pm will step up in distance with the William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle, a Challenger Stayers’ Hurdle Series Qualifier. Covering 3m57y and featuring twelve hurdles, this Class 3 race for nine runners will reward stamina and rhythm, with £10,926 awaiting the winner.
Grade 2 quality will arrive at 2:10pm with Race 3, the William Hill Denman Chase. Run over 2m7f91y with eighteen fences, this GBB Class 1 event for five-year-olds and upwards will see four runners contest a prize worth £51,255 to the winner, continuing the race’s proud legacy.
That standard will be matched at 2:45pm in Race 4, the William Hill Game Spirit Chase. Another Grade 2 GBB contest, this 2m92y chase with thirteen fences will attract seven runners, again offering £51,255 to the victor and reinforcing the meeting’s elite status.
Attention will then turn fully to Race 5 at 3:20pm, the William Hill Hurdle. Sixteen runners will line up over 2m69y and eight hurdles in this GBB Class 1 contest. The field will feature Let It Rain with Harry Skelton for Dan Skelton, Un Sens A La Vie partnered by Sam Twiston-Davies for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, and All In You under James Bowen for Warren Greatrex.
Also set to compete will be Lanesborough for Ben Pauling, Tutti Quanti with Harry Cobden for Paul Nicholls, Hot Fuss trained by Tom Dascombe, Dance And Glance for Anthony Honeyball, Milldam with Isabelle Ryder for Jamie Snowden, and The Hardest Geezer representing Philip Hobbs and Johnson White. The depth will continue with Bubble Dubi, Wellington Arch, Wreckless Eric, Bucephalus, Go Dante, Faivoir, and Poet Laureate, creating a contest rich in narratives and potential Festival implications.
Race 6 at 3:55pm will be the William Hill Cheltenham Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, a Class 3 GBB race over 2m7f91y with eighteen fences. Ten runners will compete for a winner’s share of £13,731, testing both jumping accuracy and staying power.
The meeting will conclude at 4:30pm with Race 7, the William Hill Racing Builder Beacons, a Listed National Hunt Flat Race. Open to four to six-year-olds and run over 2m69y, this Class 1 contest will see eleven runners vie for £14,238, providing a fitting finale to a premier raceday that will blend history, ambition and Festival-level intensity at Newbury.
As the final race unfolds and the afternoon draws to a close, William Hill Super Saturday will leave Newbury Racecards 7 February with clear Festival echoes and fresh talking points. Performances here will shape narratives for Cheltenham, separating genuine contenders from hopefuls.
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