The Staffordshire-based Uttoxeter Racecourse will stage a seven-race National Hunt fixture on Thursday, June 4, featuring a blend of novice hurdles, handicap hurdles and steeple chases. More than 40 runners are expected to compete across the afternoon programme, where in excess of £57,000 in prize money will be available. The card will offer a varied examination of speed, stamina and jumping ability, with races ranging from nearly two miles to extended staying distances.
Opening proceedings, the Opening Novices’ Hurdle (Class 4) will get underway at 2:00pm. The contest will be run over 1m 7f 168y and will offer £10,000 in prize money. Five runners aged four years and older are expected to line up, including Loriko, Biggles, Minella Blizzard, Starshine Legend and White Riot. With a compact field assembled for the opener, the race will provide an early opportunity for novice hurdlers to establish themselves and begin the afternoon on a positive note.
Following that, the Staying Novices’ Hurdle (Class 4) will be staged at 2:30pm over 2m 7f 70y. Also carrying a purse of £10,000, the race has attracted six runners and will represent one of the first significant stamina tests of the day. Coumeenoole, Executive Producer, Presentandcorrect, Millena Agent, Stavanger Rose and Up The Hill are among those set to compete. The extended trip will place a premium on endurance and efficient jumping, qualities that often prove decisive over longer distances.
The action will continue with the Staying Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) at 3:00pm. Run over 2m 7f 70y and worth £7,700, the contest is expected to feature a field of eight runners. Noble Birth, Secret Trix, Tiger Orchid, Top Coeur, Belvedere Blast and Mammies Boy are among those scheduled to go to post. As the first handicap hurdle on the programme, the race will bring together runners competing under allocated weights, creating a balanced and potentially competitive contest.
Attention will then switch to the Mares’ Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 4) at 3:30pm. The race will be contested over 3m 10y and will offer £8,900 in prize money. Four runners are expected to take part, including That’s Nice, Regal Renaissance, I Am The Moon and Queens Wish. Although the field size is modest, the distance and jumping test will ensure a demanding challenge for all participants, particularly during the latter stages of the race.
Midway through the card, the Middle-Distance Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) will take centre stage at 4:00pm. The contest will cover 2m 3f 207y and will carry prize money of £6,150. Nine runners are expected to line up, making it one of the largest fields on the afternoon programme. Hillsin, Saxon Cross, Pepite De Saphir, Bells Of Ufford, The Best Way and The Padster are among the likely participants. With a larger field and intermediate trip, the race could develop into one of the more closely contested events on the card.
The spotlight will then fall on the Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 4) at 4:30pm. Run over 2m 4f 189y for prize money of £8,900, the contest has attracted six runners. Immortal Fame, Joltin N Jiving, Karnaval Point, Wheresmemoneygone, Yes Indeed and Tyson are among those expected to take part. The race will provide another opportunity for experienced chasers to showcase their abilities over fences, where jumping fluency and race positioning could play important roles.
Concluding the afternoon programme, the Closing Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) will be run at 5:03pm. The finale will be contested over 1m 7f 168y and will offer £6,150 in prize money. Seven runners are expected to go to post, including Lively Citizen, Zucayan, Ask A Sainte, Justus, Calibos and Clever Relation. As the shortest race on the card, the contest is likely to place greater emphasis on pace while still demanding accurate hurdling from the participants.
With novice events, handicap contests and steeple chases all represented, Thursday’s fixture will provide a comprehensive afternoon of National Hunt racing. The seven-race programme will offer opportunities for runners across multiple divisions while presenting racegoers and followers with a diverse and competitive card at Uttoxeter.
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