Warwick is set to stage a six-race National Hunt programme on Tuesday, September 22, with racing beginning at 1:55pm and continuing through to 4:48pm. The card features a mixture of steeple chases and hurdle races, with contests ranging from two miles to three miles and two furlongs. Several experienced jumpers are joined by younger horses making their mark over obstacles, while the day’s programme also includes novice and mares’ events.
The opening race at 1:55pm is the Man Commercial Protection Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 4 contest over three miles for horses aged four and above. The race carries a prize of £10,000 and has a rating range of 0-120. Among the runners listed are Geldding, trained by Dan Skelton for the Hools & Forces Partnership. The six-year-old has a BHA Rating of 117 and carries 11st 11lbs. His recent form includes a mixture of positive efforts, highlighted by a sequence containing a victory and placed performances.
In The Trenches, trained by Jennie Candlish for Mr J. McInerney, is another experienced contender. The six-year-old gelding has a BHA Rating of 112 and carries 11st 6lbs. His form figures show both successful and disappointing performances, making the three-mile distance an important test. Passengerontheship, a seven-year-old gelding trained by Sam England for John Birtles and Bill Allan, completes the listed field. Rated 108 and carrying 11st 2lbs, he has previously shown strong form, including a sequence of victories, and also has experience over the distance.
The second race, scheduled for 2:30pm, is the Molson Coors Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 5 contest over two miles and four furlongs. Open to horses aged four and above, the race is worth £7,500 and has a rating range of 0-100. The field includes seven runners with a variety of experience.
The highest-rated horse in the field is the Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill-trained gelding, rated 97 and carrying the top weight of 12st. Malinas Glory, a nine-year-old trained by Alastair Ralph, has a BHA Rating of 95 and carries 11st 12lbs. Bravethewaves, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, is another nine-year-old gelding, rated 85 and carrying 11st 2lbs. The seven-year-old mare Culligran, trained by D. J. Jeffreys, is rated 84 and carries 11st 1lb.
Veteran campaigner Est Illic, a 12-year-old gelding trained by Sarah-Jayne Davies, carries 10st 7lbs and has a BHA Rating of 76. King of The Story, a ten-year-old gelding trained by Polly Gundry, is rated 74 and carries 10st 5lbs. The field is completed by eight-year-old Ballinoulart, trained by David Bridgwater, who has a BHA Rating of 69 and carries 10st 2lbs. With conditional jockeys involved, the race will provide another test of jumping technique and tactical riding.
At 3:05pm, Warwick hosts the Jerroms Financial Group Novices’ Hurdle Race, a Class 4 event over two miles for horses aged four and above. The contest carries £10,000 in prize money and brings together five runners.
Tralee Girl, trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by Harry Skelton, brings the strongest published rating into the contest. The four-year-old filly has a BHA Rating of 115 and arrives with recent form figures that include a victory. Sixpack, a six-year-old gelding trained by James Owen, is another runner with limited hurdle experience and will have the opportunity to build on his previous appearances.
Bath Taverness, a five-year-old mare trained by David Evans, has also shown winning form in her recent record. She is joined by four-year-old filly Esther Spring, trained by Christian Williams. The field also contains a Gary Hanmer-trained six-year-old gelding, giving the race a blend of established and developing jumpers.
The feature event of the afternoon is scheduled for 3:40pm, the Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow Handicap Steeple Chase. This Class 3 contest is run over an extended distance of three miles and 100 yards and carries a prize of £15,000, making it the most valuable race on the Warwick card. It is open to horses aged four and above and has a rating range of 0-140. The longer trip is expected to place considerable emphasis on stamina, jumping consistency and the ability to maintain a rhythm throughout the race.
The programme continues at 4:15pm with the Zulus Gonna Get Ya Mares’ Handicap Hurdle Race, a Class 5 contest over two miles and three furlongs. The race is open to horses aged three and above and is worth £7,000, with a rating range of 0-105. As a mares-only event, it adds another distinct element to the Warwick afternoon and provides a competitive hurdle test over an intermediate distance.
The final race at 4:48pm is the Abi and Brad Divorce Handicap Hurdle Race, a Class 4 contest over three miles and two furlongs for horses aged four and above. The race is worth £9,000 and has a rating range of 0-110. Five runners are listed in the supplied field.
The leading-rated runner is a gelding trained by Nick Scholfield for Ms Belinda Jayne Heal. Rated 108 and carrying 11st 12lbs, the horse has recent form that includes a victory. Back In The Bay, trained by James Owen and ridden by Jonathan Burke, is a seven-year-old mare rated 106 and carrying 11st 10lbs. She has recorded a mixture of placed and finishing efforts in her recent form.
Prince de Juilley, a nine-year-old gelding trained by Alastair Ralph, also has a BHA Rating of 106 and carries 11st 10lbs. Importantly, he has previously recorded a course-and-distance success, represented by the CD notation in his form. Belles Benefit, a ten-year-old mare trained by Ben Case, is rated 105 and carries 11st 9lbs. Her recent form includes a victory, while Pipers Cross, trained by David Evans, is a nine-year-old mare rated 98 and carries 11st 2lbs. She has previous experience over the distance.
The Warwick card therefore offers a broad range of National Hunt action, beginning with a three-mile steeple chase and progressing through intermediate-distance races before concluding with another stamina-focused hurdle contest. The 3:40pm Class 3 steeple chase carries the day’s highest prize of £15,000, while the opening novice event and the 3:05pm hurdle provide opportunities for developing jumpers.
With six races covering both hurdles and fences, Warwick’s Tuesday programme brings together established performers, younger horses and several experienced jockeys and trainers. The variety of distances should ensure that stamina, jumping accuracy and race experience remain important factors throughout the afternoon.
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