Exeter Racecourse stages an exciting eight-race National Hunt meeting on Friday, 6 March, featuring a well-balanced programme of hurdles and steeplechases. The afternoon fixture offers competitive contests for both novices and experienced runners, with races spread across Classes 3 to 5 and distances ranging from just over two miles to three miles. With total prize money reaching £20,000 for the feature race, the meeting is expected to attract strong fields and competitive action throughout the card.
The opening race at 1:40 pm is the CRS Building Supplies National Hunt Maiden Hurdle Race, a Class 4 contest run over 2m 1f 8y with prize money of £10,000. A large field of 16 runners will line up in this maiden event where emerging hurdlers attempt to secure their first victory under National Hunt rules. Maiden hurdles often provide an opportunity for young or inexperienced horses to gain valuable race experience while also showcasing potential future stars of the jumping circuit.
Race two at 2:10 pm is the Klargester Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 5 race over 2m 3f 111y worth £9,000. Eleven runners are expected to compete in this handicap chase where horses carry different weights based on their ratings, creating an even and competitive contest over the fences.
The third race at 2:40 pm, the CT1 Novices’ Limited Handicap Steeple Chase, is one of the most valuable events on the card with prize money of £16,500. This Class 3 contest over 2m 1f 172y features a smaller but select field of four runners. As a novices’ handicap chase, the race is designed for horses still relatively new to steeplechasing but capable of competing at a higher level.
At 3:10 pm, the Brett Martin Handicap Hurdle Race takes place over 2m 1f 8y. The Class 4 hurdle carries a prize fund of £10,500 and has attracted ten runners. With a competitive handicap structure, the race is expected to produce closely matched runners battling for position throughout the contest.
The feature race of the afternoon is the Middle Distance Series Veterans’ Handicap Steeple Chase scheduled for 3:40 pm, offering the highest prize money of £20,000 on the card. Run over 2m 3f 111y, the Class 3 contest has attracted a competitive field of nine experienced chasers. Among the runners is Gunsight Ridge, an 11-year-old gelding carrying 12st 0lbs with a BHA rating of 139, trained by Olly Murphy and ridden by Sean Bowen.
Another notable contender is Numitor, a 12-year-old trained by Heather Main and partnered by James Bowen, carrying 11st 12lbs with a rating of 137. Pull Again Green, a 10-year-old trained by Fergal O’Brien and ridden by Liam Harrison, competes off a rating of 133 with 11st 8lbs, while Neon Moon, trained by David Pipe and ridden by Jack Tudor, lines up with 11st 7lbs and a rating of 132.
Also in the line-up is Outlaw Peter, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Freddie Gingell, carrying 11st 7lbs with a rating of 132. Embittered, a 12-year-old trained by Syd Hosie and partnered by Paddy Hanlon, runs with 11st 5lbs and a rating of 130. Can You Call, trained by Evan Williams and ridden by Ben Jones, carries 11st 3lbs with a rating of 128.
Time To Bite, representing Chris Honour with Bryan Carver in the saddle, carries 10st 11lbs with a rating of 122. Completing the field is Genois, trained by Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill and ridden by Richie McLernon, carrying 10st 10lbs with a rating of 121. The experienced field promises a competitive veterans’ contest as seasoned chasers battle for the feature prize at Exeter.
Race six at 4:10 pm is the Stowells Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Race, a Class 5 event run over the longer trip of 2m 7f 119y with prize money of £7,250. Seven runners will compete in this stamina-testing hurdle, where novice hurdlers step up in distance in search of improvement and a potential breakthrough victory.
The seventh race at 4:43 pm is the Keystone Handicap Steeple Chase, another Class 5 contest worth £9,000. Run over 3m 133y, this race is the longest distance on the card and will test the stamina and jumping ability of the ten declared runners over the extended three-mile trip.
The final race of the meeting takes place at 5:18 pm with the Ludo Sports and Live Lounge Mares’ Handicap Hurdle Race. This Class 5 contest over 2m 2f 178y carries prize money of £8,500 and features eleven runners. Restricted to mares, the race provides an opportunity for female hurdlers to compete in a competitive handicap environment to close the day’s racing.
Overall, Friday’s meeting at Exeter promises an engaging day of National Hunt racing with competitive handicaps, novice contests and a feature veterans’ chase highlighting the programme. With a strong mix of race types and distances, the eight-race card is set to deliver exciting jumping action for racing enthusiasts.
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