National Hunt racing takes centre stage at Wetherby Racecourse on Thursday, 26 February, with a competitive seven-race programme scheduled from 1:50pm to 5:15pm. The card combines juvenile hurdles, novice chases and staying handicaps, with the £12,500 Class 3 handicap hurdle at 4:10pm standing out as the afternoon’s feature contest.
A total of 56 runners are declared across the meeting, promising competitive fields and tactical racing throughout.
The afternoon begins at 1:50pm with the EBF Fillies’ Junior National Hunt Hurdle, a Class 4 contest over two miles worth £11,000. Nine runners are set to line up in what should be an informative juvenile event, often a platform for progressive young fillies to advertise their long-term potential over obstacles.
At 2:25pm, attention switches to fences for the Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase over 3m 45y. Six runners contest this Class 4 event for £9,000, where stamina and accurate jumping will be essential around Wetherby’s galloping track.
The 3:00pm race is the Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle, a Class 5 event over two miles with eight declared runners competing for £6,500. This contest provides developing types with an opportunity to improve their handicap marks in competitive company.
Chasing resumes at 3:35pm in the Entertain In Style at Wetherby Racecourse Handicap Steeple Chase, run over 2m 3f 85y. With £10,000 on offer and eight runners declared, this Class 4 contest looks set to be one of the more evenly matched races on the card.
The highlight of the meeting is the £12,500 Class 3 staying handicap hurdle over three miles and 26 yards. A strong field of ten runners has been declared, with stamina expected to be the defining factor in the closing stages.
Joint top-rated on 124 are Esprit Du Potier FR and Icare Allen FR, both carrying 12st. Esprit Du Potier, a seven-year-old trained by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore and partnered by Derek Fox, brings solid staying credentials. Icare Allen, representing Jonjo O’Neill and A.J. O’Neill and owned by John McManus, is eased by a 5lb claim from Benjamin Macey, which could prove significant over this extended trip.
Close behind on a mark of 122 are Woodland Park IRE and Pinot Rouge IRE. Woodland Park, trained by Olly Murphy and ridden by Sean Bowen, has shown consistency in recent starts and appeals as a strong contender. Pinot Rouge, an experienced mare from the Susan Corbett yard, has the stamina profile to remain competitive in this grade.
The 120-rated trio of Skuna Bay IRE, Sixty Plus IRE and Blue Carpet GB add further depth. Skuna Bay represents Donald McCain Jr. and has been running with credit this season. Sixty Plus, trained by James Owen, attempts to rediscover earlier winning form. Blue Carpet, from the Dan Skelton stable, boasts course experience and continues to progress.
Further down the weights, Moonset FR (117), Block Rockin Beats IRE (115) and the unexposed five-year-old Arcadian Star IRE (109) complete the line-up. Arcadian Star, carrying just 10st 13lbs, could be an interesting improver receiving weight from older rivals.
With a mix of proven stayers and progressive profiles, the feature contest promises to be a true test of endurance and tactical awareness.
The penultimate race at 4:45pm is the Racing TV For The Cheltenham Festival Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, a Class 4 event over 2m 3f 154y worth £8,150. Seven mares are declared, and the intermediate trip should produce a competitive finish.
The card concludes at 5:15pm with the Bet Now At racingtv.com Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 5 staying contest over 3m 45y with eight runners going to post for £6,500. As the light begins to fade, stamina and accurate jumping will once again be key in bringing the curtain down on what promises to be an engaging afternoon of jumps racing at Wetherby.
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