Wetherby Racecourse stages an exciting six-race National Hunt meeting on Tuesday, March 17, featuring a competitive mix of maiden hurdles, handicap hurdles, steeple chases and a concluding National Hunt Flat race. The afternoon card begins at 2:02 pm and runs through to 4:55 pm, offering racing fans a varied programme across hurdles and fences with prize money spread across all contests.
The meeting opens with The Entertain In Style At Wetherby Racecourse Mares’ National Hunt Maiden Hurdle Race at 2:02 pm. This Class 4 contest carries £10,000 in prize money and is run over 2m 3f 118y. Seven runners are declared for the race, where lightly raced mares will look to gain their first hurdle success and begin progressing through the National Hunt ranks.
At 2:37 pm, the second race on the card is The racingtv.com Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 4 contest worth £12,000 run over 2m 3f 121y. Seven runners line up for this competitive chase. Geryville ridden by Conor O’Farrell carries 12st 2lbs and has a BHA rating of 122 for trainer Micky Hammond and owner Mr R. M. Howard. The gelding arrives with form figures of 5-52651 and has proven course and distance credentials.
No But I Will, partnered by Liam Harrison, carries 11st 10lbs with a BHA rating of 116. The nine-year-old trained by Julian Smith represents the Exors of the Late Mr Donald Smith and comes into the race with consistent form figures of 232131. Another experienced contender is Arthur’s Quay, ridden by Richie McLernon, a twelve-year-old gelding trained by Ben Haslam for owner Mr John P. McManus. He also carries 11st 10lbs and holds a BHA rating of 116 with recent form figures of 554233.
William Cody will be ridden by Jack Andrews and carries 11st 9lbs for trainer Pam Sly and owner Mr Martyn Royston Davis. The nine-year-old gelding has form figures of 34-3232 and holds a BHA rating of 115. Rath Gaul Hill, partnered by Sean Bowen, carries 11st 7lbs and has a BHA rating of 113 for trainer Samuel Drinkwater and owner Mr Kevin Price.
Clonakilty, ridden by Sean Quinlan, carries 11st 1lbs for trainer Lizzie Quinlan and owner Mr A. Balmer with a BHA rating of 107 and recent form figures of P432-0P. Completing the field is Empty Nest, ridden by Jamie Hamilton, who carries 10st 2lbs with a BHA rating of 94 for trainer Mark Walford and owners Mr M Blades, S Morrell and K Hathaway.
The third race of the afternoon is The Best Ticket Prices Online At wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Hurdle Race, scheduled for 3:12 pm. The Class 5 event offers £7,000 in prize money and will be contested over 1m 7f 172y, just short of two miles. With 11 runners declared, it promises to be one of the more competitive races on the card as several runners step into handicap company.
At 3:47 pm, the fourth race is The Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 4 event over 3m 93y with prize money of £12,000. Four runners will contest this staying novice chase. Kalhandrion, ridden by Charlie Maggs, carries 11st 10lbs with a BHA rating of 112 for trainer Richard Hobson and owner Mr R. Key.
The six-year-old gelding arrives in winning form with figures of 0-132U1 and looks set to be a strong contender over the extended trip. Eaton Anne, partnered by Sean Bowen, carries 11st 8lbs with a BHA rating of 110 for trainer Olly Murphy and the Foxtrot Racing Eaton Anne ownership group. The eight-year-old gelding comes into the race with recent form figures of 105-405.
Jack To Bat, ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr., carries 11st 7lbs for trainers Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill and owners Martyn and Elaine Booth alongside The Maiden Over partnership. The seven-year-old gelding holds a BHA rating of 109 and has form figures of 344-5. Completing the field is The Grey Man, ridden by James Best, who carries 11st 2lbs with a BHA rating of 104. The seven-year-old gelding is trained by Harriet Dickin for owner Mr Mark James and arrives after a recent victory, giving him momentum heading into this novice handicap chase.
Race five at 4:22 pm features The Handicap Hurdle Race, another competitive hurdle contest. The Class 4 race carries £7,000 in prize money and is run over a stamina-testing 2m 7f 150y. With 11 runners declared, this staying hurdle could prove to be one of the highlights of the afternoon as runners tackle nearly three miles.
The meeting concludes at 4:55 pm with The Jumps Finale – Friday 27th March National Hunt Flat Race. This Class 5 bumper offers £4,999 in prize money and is run over 1m 7f 172y. A field of 10 runners will compete, with several newcomers expected to make their racecourse debut in a contest that often showcases future jumping prospects.
Overall, Tuesday’s card at Wetherby Racecourse promises a varied afternoon of National Hunt action, combining competitive handicaps with opportunities for emerging talent across hurdles, fences and bumper races.
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