Friday afternoon racing at Newbury Racecourse brings together a competitive six-race National Hunt programme from 2:00pm to 4:43pm. Featuring a mix of conditional jockeys’ handicaps, juvenile prospects, novice contests and a valuable handicap chase, the Berkshire track offers prize money up to £20,000 and competitive fields across a range of distances.
The card opens at 2:00pm with the West Berkshire Mencap Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, a Class 4 contest over 2m 4f 118y worth £12,000. Twelve runners are declared, providing young conditional riders with an important platform. With Newbury’s long straight placing emphasis on stamina and balance, race positioning and well-timed challenges are likely to prove decisive.
At 2:30pm, the Simple Things Juvenile Hurdle takes focus. This Class 3 event over 2m 69y carries £15,000 in prize money and has attracted nine four-year-olds. Juvenile hurdles at this stage of the season often highlight emerging talent, and sharp jumping combined with tactical awareness will be key over the two-mile trip.
The 3:00pm ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Steeple Chase steps up to 2m 7f 91y for a £17,500 Class 3 prize. With five runners declared, the contest promises quality over quantity. The extended distance will thoroughly test stamina and jumping precision, particularly in the closing stages where Newbury’s galloping nature exposes any weakness.
At 3:35pm, the Watch Weekend Winners ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle continues the Class 3 action over 2m 4f 118y, again worth £15,000. Seven runners go to post in a race that could feature progressive types stepping forward in trip. Rhythm and measured pace are often crucial over this intermediate distance.
The afternoon’s highest prize contest comes at 4:08pm with £20,000 on offer in a competitive handicap chase over just beyond two miles. A tightly matched field of six heads to post, led by Kotmask FR, an eight-year-old who tops the weights with 12st off a BHA rating of 129 for Gary & Josh Moore, partnered by Caoilin Quinn. Close behind on ratings is Hardy du Seuil FR, a nine-year-old rated 126 representing Jamie Snowden with Isabelle Ryder claiming 5lb, while the progressive Daytime Dreaming IRE, a six-year-old, brings a mark of 125 for Tom Ellis and Jack Andrews.
Further depth comes from Pure Carbon GB, a seven-year-old rated 119 for Harry Derham and Brendan Powell, alongside Rath Gaul Hill IRE, an eight-year-old rated 116 for Samuel Drinkwater and Sam Twiston-Davies who boasts strong course credentials having landed this contest in 2025 under testing conditions. The experienced First Angel FR, a ten-year-old trained by Martin Keighley and ridden by Sean Bowen, completes the field carrying 10st 7lbs off 108. With ratings ranging from 108 to 129, the race promises to be tactical in nature, where accurate jumping and well-timed challenges will be key around Newbury’s sweeping turns and demanding run-in.
The card concludes at 4:43pm with the Cheltenham Specials Made Simple Handicap Hurdle, a Class 3 staying event over 3m 57y worth £17,500. Ten runners are set to face the longest trip of the afternoon, ensuring a thorough stamina examination to bring proceedings to a close.
Overall, the Newbury racecards for 27 February present a well-balanced and competitive National Hunt fixture. With solid prize funds, progressive novices and an intriguing £20,000 feature chase, the Berkshire venue once again provides a compelling afternoon of jumps racing as the spring festivals approach.
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