Ascot Racecourse will showcase a seven-race National Hunt programme on Saturday, 17 January with racing scheduled to run from 12:25pm through to 4:05pm. The fixture will combine juvenile hurdles, mares’ contests, and top-class steeple chases, including a Grade 1 feature, providing a varied day of racing across distances ranging from 2 miles to over 2 miles 7 furlongs.
The card will open with the Juvenile Hurdle Race (Class 3, GBB Race) over 2 miles 13 yards at 12:25pm. Ten runners, including Brave Guest, Down To Business, Elman, Enziya, and Flash Man, are expected to contest the £25,000 race, highlighting promising juveniles at the start of their National Hunt careers.
At 1:00pm, the Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 3, GBB Race) will feature 11 entries over 2 miles 7 furlongs 207 yards for a £20,000 prize. Outlaw Peter, Issam, Welcome To Cartries, In d’Or, and The Jukebox Kid are set to compete in a contest that will test stamina and jumping ability.
The Grade 2 Warfield Mares’ Hurdle Race (Class 1) at 1:40pm will see five runners over 2 miles 13 yards competing for £60,000. Joyeuse, Nurse Susan, La Conquiere, Ooh Betty, and Sunset Marquesa are anticipated to provide a competitive field in this mares’ highlight.
At 2:20pm, the Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 2, GBB Race) will take place over 2 miles 5 furlongs 35 yards with nine runners including Hitman, Jungle Boogie, Etalon, Bad, and Fugitif, with £100,000 in prize money up for grabs.
The Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2, GBB Race) will follow at 2:53pm over 2 miles 3 furlongs 153 yards. Ten entrants, including Tripoli Flyer, Faivoir, Metier, Samuel Spade, and Came From Nowhere, will contest the £30,000 race, offering an intriguing middle-race challenge.
The feature of the afternoon, the Grade 1 Clarence House Steeple Chase (Class 1) at 3:30pm over 2 miles 188 yards, will feature Gidleigh Park, Il Etait Temps, Jonbon, and Thistle Ask competing for £175,000, providing the headline attraction on Ascot Race Cards 17 January.
The programme will close with the EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 3) at 4:05pm. Nine runners, including Kasino des Mottes, Laguna Beach, Minella Marathon, The Burren Man, and Betgoodwin, will tackle 2 miles 6 furlongs 36 yards for a £25,000 prize, rounding out a varied day of racing.
Ascot Race Cards 17 January promise a competitive card blending juvenile talent, mares’ contests, and top-level steeple chases, offering a full afternoon of National Hunt action. For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.