Warwick hosted a competitive seven-race National Hunt programme on Friday, 23 January, featuring a balanced mix of novice hurdles, handicap chases and a concluding hunters’ contest. The Warwick Race Results 23 January reflected a solid afternoon of racing, with several established trainers, experienced riders and successful ownership groups recording notable successes across the card.
Racing began at 1:05pm and concluded at 4:18pm, with winter ground placing an emphasis on stamina and accurate jumping. The meeting provided a useful guide to current form among horses operating in novice and handicap company at this stage of the season.
THE EBF JUNIOR NATIONAL HUNT HURDLE (CLASS 4) opened the card at 1:05pm, where Feel Gut, owned by Mrs J Donnelly, delivered a confident and controlled performance. Ridden by Nico de Boinville and trained by Nicky Henderson, the gelding travelled smoothly throughout before asserting after the final flight, pulling clear to score by 6½ lengths from Majeur Allen.
At 1:35pm, THE MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE (CLASS 4) saw Jackie Hobbs, owned by the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate – Jackie, confirm the promise over hurdles. Harry Skelton partnered the Harry Derham-trained mare, who moved into contention approaching the last and stayed on well in the closing stages to defeat Betty’s Daisy by 1 length.
THE NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE (CLASS 3) at 2:05pm produced a closely fought finish, with Jour d’Evasion, owned by C Daly & Pilkingtons, showing determination under David Bass. Trained by Henry Daly, the winner was kept up to his work all the way to the line, holding Epic West by ½ length.
The 2:37pm contest, THE HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 4), went the way of Gwennie May Star, owned by Ms Gwendoline M Clarke. Sean Bowen judged the pace well for Olly Murphy, with the mare making steady progress through the field before pulling clear on the run-in to beat Jalisco Star by 2¾ lengths.
At 3:12pm, THE DAVID LAUNCHBURY MEMORIAL NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 5) was taken by Jukebox Joker, owned by Baytree. Isabel Williams delivered a positive ride for trainer Evan Williams, with the winner moving ahead before the last and extending the advantage to record a 3 lengths victory over Pottersmattyeeehaa.
THE HANDICAP CHASE (CLASS 4) at 3:47pm was claimed by House of Habsburg, owned by Whites Property Limited & Robert James. Jack Tudor kept the Christian Williams-trained chaser prominent from an early stage, and the gelding drew clear after the final fence to defeat He Knows Better by 3 lengths.
The meeting concluded at 4:18pm with THE OPEN HUNTERS’ CHASE (CLASS 5). Golden Son, owned by Ged Mason and Paul Nicholls, set a strong tempo under Miss Olive Nicholls. Trained by Paul Nicholls, the winner maintained his advantage throughout, finishing 6 lengths clear of Paul Marvel.
The Warwick card highlighted the depth of talent among novice hurdlers and developing chasers, with several winners shaping as horses capable of progressing further as the season continued. Established yards and ownership groups featured prominently, while the concluding hunters’ chase underlined the effectiveness of experienced combinations under race conditions.
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