The Berkshire track at Newbury Racecourse will stage a six-race National Hunt fixture on Tuesday, 17 February, bringing together novice chasers, hurdlers and handicap performers across a range of distances during a competitive afternoon and evening programme.
The meeting will offer both developing and established runners the opportunity to compete in conditions likely to place equal emphasis on accurate jumping and stamina throughout the card.
The opening contest at 2:15 PM will be THE CHASING EXCELLENCE NOVICES’ STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) (GBB RACE) over 2m 92y, carrying prize money of £17,500 and attracting four runners. Old Cowboy (Freddie Mitchell), Leading Choice (Sean Houlihan), Personal Ambition (Ben Jones) and Quebecois (Harry Cobden) will aim to gain further experience over fences in what is expected to be a tactical opening event.
At 2:45 PM, THE MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) (GBB RACE) will bring together twelve runners over 2m 69y for £15,000 in prize money. Back On Track (David Bass), Fouroneohfever (Kielan Woods), Galashiels (James Bowen), Giantsgrave (Harry Skelton) and Global Fortune (Richie McLernon) will headline a large field seeking breakthrough success over hurdles.
The third race at 3:20 PM will stage THE MARES’ NATIONAL HUNT NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) over 2m 4f 118y, again offering prize money of £15,000. Bobby’s Nelson (Sean Houlihan), Swindon Village (David Bass), Boultydoolin (Ben Jones), Dante’s Rocco (Paddy Hanlon) and Mymilkman (Freddie Gordon) will contest a race expected to test stamina as well as hurdling accuracy.
The feature event at 3:55 PM will be THE DECADE OF DELIVERY HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) over 2m 7f 91y, with £20,000 on offer and nine runners expected to start. Saint Palais (Harry Bannister), Brave Kingdom (Harry Cobden), Good Friday Fairy (Sam Twiston-Davies), Happy And Fine (Kielan Woods) and Major Fortune (Harry Skelton) will compete in one of the afternoon’s most demanding staying contests.
At 4:30 PM, THE LIVE YOUR BEST FINANCIAL LIFE HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) over 2m 4f 118y will offer £11,000 in prize money, with twelve runners set to line up. One Eye On Vegas (Charlie Hammond), De Kingpin (Ben Jones), Glance of Glory (Freddie Keighley), Close Combat (Murray Dodd) and Cast’s Tasha (Toby McCain-Mitchell) will take part in what is expected to be a closely run handicap.
The meeting will conclude at 5:05 PM with THE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ MARES’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) over 3m 57y, again worth £11,000, where Springs A Girl (Freddie Keighley), Harmony Heights (Fern O’Brien), Kosasiempre (Murray Dodd), Katie’s Melody (Megan Fox) and Star of Honour (Elliott England) will contest the longest race of the afternoon in a final test of endurance.
The Newbury Race Cards 17 February programme will combine novice contests and competitive handicaps, providing opportunities across several divisions while presenting a balanced jumps schedule for participants and racegoers.
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