A lively evening of National Hunt racing awaits at Fontwell Park Racecourse on Wednesday, May 6, with a six-race card featuring a mix of hurdles, chases and a concluding bumper. With competitive fields across all races and a strong turnout in the feature novice event, the fixture promises engaging action from start to finish.
The card gets underway at 5:42 pm with the Download The At The Races App Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs and 164 yards. Eleven runners line up in this Class 5 contest worth £6,150, where conditional riders will aim to make their presence felt in a race that demands stamina and well-judged tactics. It’s an open affair and a strong start to the evening’s proceedings.
The highlight of the meeting comes at 6:12 pm with the Mercedes-Benz of Chichester Novices’ Hurdle over 2 miles 1 furlong and 162 yards. This Class 4 contest, carrying the highest prize of £10,000, has attracted a field of 14 runners and looks highly competitive. A gelding from the Toby Lawes yard arrives with a mark of 110 and brings consistent hurdle form, while Bahati Bahati trained by Gordon Treacy enters with experience and a rating of 100. Hawa Jumeirah represents Helen Nelmes, and La Cadalora from the Harry Fry stable adds further depth to the contest.
Others to note include Oblemenko from the Gary and Josh Moore team, Regal Icon trained by Seamus Mullins, and the lightly raced Chambers representing Faye Bramley. Dodging The Bullet, Moscow Star and Pivotal Days all look to improve on earlier efforts, while Tetsworth is another from the Moore yard seeking progress. Cockney Cleopatra and Hollysaway add further competition among the mares, while Mega Etoile, a filly trained by Henrietta Knight, completes the lineup with scope for development. With such a diverse and competitive field, this race could highlight some emerging talent.
At 6:42 pm, the focus shifts to fences with the KSR Lighting Handicap Steeple Chase over a demanding 3 miles 1 furlong and 210 yards. Eleven runners will test their stamina in this Class 5 contest, where endurance and jumping accuracy will be crucial factors in determining the outcome.
The 7:12 pm race, the Racey Stranger’s Birthday Bash Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle, sees nine runners compete over 2 miles 3 furlongs and 29 yards. This race offers another opportunity for developing hurdlers to step forward, with closely matched contenders expected to produce a tight finish.
At 7:42 pm, the Summerley Recruitment Handicap Steeple Chase over 2 miles 3 furlongs and 104 yards brings together nine runners in another competitive Class 5 event. This race combines elements of speed and jumping precision, making it an intriguing contest in the latter part of the card.
The meeting concludes at 8:12 pm with the Fontwell Park Open National Hunt Flat Race over 2 miles 1 furlong and 162 yards. Nine runners will line up in this bumper, often a platform for future jumping prospects. With several newcomers and lightly raced types, the finale could provide a glimpse of horses to follow in the upcoming season.
Overall, the Fontwell Park meeting presents a well-balanced programme with competitive fields and varied race conditions. From stamina-testing chases to promising novice hurdles, the Wednesday evening fixture is set to deliver an entertaining spectacle for racing followers.
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