Jump racing continues at Hereford Racecourse on Monday, 6 April, with a well-structured seven-race programme that brings together a mix of emerging talent, experienced campaigners, and stamina-testing contests. The card offers a blend of hurdles, steeplechases, and a concluding bumper, ensuring a full afternoon of National Hunt action.
The meeting begins at 1:35 pm with the Supporting Home Run Hounds North West Maiden Hurdle, a Class 4 race over 2 miles 4 furlongs and 37 yards featuring eleven runners competing for a prize fund of £10,000. It is followed at 2:10 pm by the Wye Valley Group Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, a Class 5 contest over the same distance with eight runners.
At 2:45 pm, the Visit Herefordshire Novices’ Handicap Hurdle takes centre stage with eleven runners over just beyond two miles, again offering £10,000 in prize money. The 3:20 pm race, the Green Dragon Hotel Hereford Handicap Hurdle, steps up significantly in trip to 3 miles 2 furlongs and 43 yards, testing stamina among its seven runners for a purse of £12,000.
The feature race of the day arrives at 3:55 pm with the We Are Farming Minds Charity Partner Mares’ Handicap Steeple Chase, the richest contest on the card with a prize fund of £20,000. A select field of four runners is set to compete over 2 miles 5 furlongs and 10 yards, bringing together quality mares with varying profiles. Henry Daly sends out a runner carrying 12 stone with a rating of 123, representing the Richard Johnson Racing Party Vibes ownership. Nicky Henderson is represented by That’s Nice, partnered by Nico de Boinville, carrying 11 stone 10 pounds with a rating of 119 and bringing consistent form into the race.
Malaita, trained by Mel Rowley and ridden by Toby Wynne, enters with a rating of 110 and carries 11 stone 1 pound, while Belle Montrose from the yard of Samuel Drinkwater, partnered by Tom Bellamy, carries 10 stone 4 pounds with a rating of 99. Despite the smaller field, the race promises a strong contest with each runner bringing a different level of experience and recent performance, making it the highlight of the afternoon.
Racing continues at 4:30 pm with the Spa Motors Hereford Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 5 event over 3 miles 1 furlong and 94 yards featuring five runners and a prize fund of ÂŁ6,150. The card concludes at 5:05 pm with the Richard Layton Charity Evening Open National Hunt Flat Race, a Class 5 bumper over just beyond two miles with thirteen runners competing for ÂŁ4,500.
Overall, the Hereford meeting offers a balanced mix of races across distances and classes, providing opportunities for both developing and experienced horses. With a competitive feature race and varied contests throughout the afternoon, the card is set to deliver an engaging day of jump racing.
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