Horse Racing: Great opening day at Wincanton

THE new 2013-14 horse racing season at Wincanton got underway today (Thursday, October 17, 2013) and there was a shock winner in the opening race of the afternoon.

David England raced home on 40-1 shot Letemgo to give the bookies a good start to the season in the 2.20pm Bathwick Tyres Bath Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Race – ahead of 16-1 Upton Wood and third-placed 9-2 favourite Golanova.

There was only one favourite to win in the six-race card and that was the final race of the day in the 4.50pm Bathwich Tyres Salisbury Maiden Hurdle when local favourite Joe Tizzard charged home with the 4-9 chance Billy No Name.

The closest race of the day could not have been any closer – as the 3.50pm Bathwick Tyres Yeovil Handicap Steeple Chase was declared a dead heat between 7-2 2nd favourite Jump City trained by Paul Nicholls and the 20-1 outsider Goring One ridden by Andrew Thornton.

The day had started with a parade of fine horses including Nicholls’ great Big Bucks and Colin Tizzard’s Cue Card.

PHOTO - TOP: Grand Crus on the parade ring at Wincanton.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Top trainer Paul Nicholls being interviewed at Wincanton.

There was a bumper crowd of race-lovers at Wincanton today and course general manager Steve Parlett said he would like to thank everyone for attending and supporting the opening day of the season.

Results from Wincanton on Thursday, October 17, 2013: 14.20pm: 1 Letemgo 40-1; 2 Upton Wood 16-1; 3 Golanova 9-2 fav.

14.50: 1 Standing Ovation 3-1 2nd fav; 2 Tothemoonandback 8-1; 3 Glenwood Prince 9-4 fav.

15.20: 1 Alwaystheoptimist 11-4 2nd fav; 2 My Brother Sylvest 7-4 fav.

15.50: 1 JumpCity 7-2 2nd fav and Goring One 20-1 – dead heat.

16.20: 1 The Rattler Obrien 9-1; 2 Proper Villan 25-1; 3 Perfect Timing 7-2 joint fav.

16.50: 1 Bill No Name 4-9 fav; 2 Floral Spinner 7-2 2nd fav; 3 Church Hall 10-1.

For more photos from today’s race meeting at Wincanton – click on the link:

http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2013/10/17/wincanton-races-oct-17-2013/ .

PHOTO - ABOVE: Some of the big crowds at Wincanton on the opening day of the 2013-14 racing season.

PHOTO - ABOVE: All smiles from the Letemgo camp after winning the opening race of the 2013-14 season at Wincanton on October 17, 2013.

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