Racing: Wincanton gears up for key Cheltenham trial race

WINCANTON Racecourse stages its top race the historic Grade 2 Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle,a key trial for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, on Saturday, February 16.

The £60,000 prize fund is guaranteed to attract the best two-mile hurdles in the business doing battle to join a roll of honours that includes Kribensis, Alderbrook, Hors La Loi III, Katchit and Punjabi who have used the race as a stepping stone to Cheltenham glory.

Last year’s Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle winner Binocular, meanwhile, had already been crowned champion hurdler having won the Cheltenham Festival showpiece two years earlier.  And once again Wincanton’s showcase will be eagerly awaited by those looking for Cheltenham Festival pointers.
 
Binocular had landed the Champion Hurdle at the second attempt in 2010 as he stepped up on third place at Cheltenham the previous year.  Having won the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, he then won the Kingwell Hurdle but could only finish fourth in last year’s renewal of the Champion Hurdle behind Rock On Ruby trained by Devon-based Harry Fry.
 
The class of 2013 will be looking to join a Kingwell Hurdle roll of honour and reaps the rewards of a £129,000 total prize fund across a seven-race card.
 
The undercard is headed by the Country Gentlemen’s Association Veterans’ Handicap Steeple Chase, a two-mile five-furlong race for horses aged 10 or older where we are sure to see some of the best known names in national hunt racing in action.
 
Steve Parlett, Wincanton’s general manager, said: “Prize money is part of the life blood of the sport and as a Jockey Club Racecourse all Wincanton’s profits are reinvested back into the sport.  We look forward to celebrating Somerset’s showcase race in early February.”
 
Gates open on Saturday, February 16, at 11.30pm with the first race at 1.20pm. Tickets are available from £14 when booked in advance on 0844 5793014 or www.wincantonracecourse.co.uk with complimentary entry to children under 17-years when accompanied by an adult.

The Courtesy Bus will meet the trains coming into Templecombe at 11.25am (London Waterloo) and 11.43am (Exeter St Davids) and will leave the racecourse at 5pm.

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