Leicester Racecourse hosts a six-race National Hunt fixture on Friday, 6 March, with the entire card devoted to steeplechasing. The afternoon programme offers a balanced mix of novice, handicap and open hunters’ contests, with distances ranging from just over two miles to an extended two miles and seven furlongs. With prize money spanning from £6,000 to £14,000, the meeting promises a solid standard of competition and an engaging day of jumps racing in the Midlands.
The feature race at 2:30pm, the Novices’ Limited Handicap Steeple Chase, is a Class 3 contest over 2m 7f with £14,000 in prize money and a select field of three runners. Followcato IRE, a seven-year-old gelding ridden by Kielan Woods, carries 11st 10lbs and holds a BHA rating of 127. Trained by Ben Pauling for Highclere and The Followers, he arrives with solid recent form figures of 3-U5111, suggesting consistency and strong current performance levels. His higher rating makes him the top-weight in the field and a key contender over this stamina-testing trip.
Major Fortune IRE, an eight-year-old gelding partnered by Harry Skelton, represents trainer Dan Skelton and runs off a BHA rating of 122 with 11st 5lbs. His recent form reads 63-4012 and he brings valuable experience to the contest. Completing the trio is Taita Hills IRE, also eight years old, ridden by Freddie Mitchell who claims three pounds. Trained by Gary and Josh Moore, he carries 10st 12lbs and is rated 115, with recent form figures of 2310-2F. With ratings ranging from 115 to 127 and each runner bringing proven chasing ability, the opening race promises to be a competitive and tactically intriguing start to the afternoon at Leicester.
At 3:00pm, the Coldstream Guards Association Handicap Steeple Chase sees five runners line up for a Class 5 contest over 2m 4f 94y. This intermediate distance requires a blend of pace and endurance, particularly around Leicester’s testing fences. With prize money of £7,000 on offer, this race could prove closely fought from an early stage.
The 3:30pm Royal Anglian Regiment Handicap Steeple Chase is another Class 5 staying event over 2m 7f and has drawn the largest field of the afternoon with six runners declared. With more depth in numbers, this contest may provide one of the most open races on the card. Staying handicaps at this trip often reward consistency and resilience, especially in the closing stages.
At 4:00pm, attention turns to the mares in the HMS Daring Royal Navy T45 Destroyer Mares’ Handicap Steeple Chase. This Class 4 event over 2m 4f 94y carries £10,000 in prize money and features five runners. Restricted to mares, the race adds variety to the card and often highlights improving performers within this division.
The penultimate race at 4:30pm is The Royal Lancers Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 5 event over 2m with five runners set to compete. The slightly shorter trip may favour sharper types capable of maintaining a strong rhythm over fences.
The meeting concludes at 5:03pm with The Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase, another Class 5 contest over 2m 28y. With four runners declared and £6,000 in prize money on offer, the race provides a traditional hunters’ finale to the afternoon.
Overall, Friday’s card at Leicester delivers a focused and competitive programme of chasing action, offering a varied test of stamina, jumping ability and tactical awareness across six well-structured contests.
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